The Only Solution US Found to Land its Massive 8 Engines Plane

Advertisement
The Only Solution US Found to Land its Massive 8 Engines Plane | Frontline Videos

YouTube / Fluctus

Advertisement

Using Drogues

Starting the B-52 Stratofortress usually takes about an hour. However, landing this gigantic bomber is an entirely different ballpark. With a wingspan of 185ft and a maximum takeoff weight of 488,000 lbs, you can imagine how hard it is to decelerate the aircraft. 

In some instances, the B-52 crew might deploy a drogue parachute to help the aircraft decelerate and come to a stop. Drogues are particularly useful for landings on wet or icy runways. 

Unlike ordinary parachutes, drogues are more elongated and have a lesser surface area to generate less drag, enabling them to be deployed at higher speeds. 

B-52s aren’t the only aircraft that use drogues either. During tricky landings, fighter jets such as the F4 Phantom and Eurofighter Typhoon can also utilize these parachutes.

Advertisement

Follow Our Friends