Who is blowing smoke on Hastert's old plane having to land..

[wakeme2008]

Somebody IMHO is blowing smoke on this whole plane issue. Hastert was using a C-20B. Using the site http://www.airtimetable.com/Air_mile_calculator.htm I show it is 2441 air miles from Washington DC to San Francisco. From the site http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=87 I get on the C-20B

General Characteristics
Primary Function: C-20B/H, special air and operational support airlift missions
Builder: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Power Plant: C-20B, two Rolls-Royce Spey Mark 511-8 turbofan engines;C-20H, two Rolls-Royce Tay Mark 611-8 turbofan engines
Thrust: C-20B, 11,400 pounds each engine; C-20H, 13,850 pounds each engine
Length: C-20B, 83 feet, 2 inches (25.4 meters); C-20H, 88 feet, 4 inches (26.9 meters)
Height: 24 feet, 6 inches (7.5 meters)
Wingspan: 77 feet, 10 inches (23.7 meters)
Speed: 576 mph (501 nautical miles per hour) maximum
Maximum Takeoff Weight: C-20B, 69,700 pounds (31,610 kilograms); C-20H, 74,600 pounds (33,832 kilograms)
Range: C-20B, 4,250 miles (3,698 nautical miles) long-range; C-20H, 4,850 miles (4,220 nautical miles) long range
Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,716 meters)
Load: 12 passengers
Unit Cost: All models, $29.4 (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)
Crew: Five (pilot, copilot, flight engineer, communication system operator, flight attendant)
Date Deployed: C-20B, 1988; C-20H, 1992
Inventory: C-20B, Active force, 5; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
C-20H, Active force, 2; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

So from the get go the C-20 can fly from DC to San Francisco without stopping...

Who started the rumor that it had to stop.... :shrug:

[atreides1]

1. Some here at DU

Have said that the mileage is based on optimal flight conditions, which means that flying in a headwind would use up more fuel, therefore requiring the plane to stop and refuel. Someone also said that by law all aircraft are required to have a certain amount of reserve fuel when they land.

I don't think that law applies to military aircraft, but I haven't had the time to research it, I just base that on my experience flying military transports while in the army.

And most have ignored the fact that since it is a military aircraft it can land and refuel at a military airfield, which takes care of the security while on the ground issue.

But it would seem that few want to look at the overall picture.

Just my two cents worth

[Rose Siding]

2. A number of reports noted that it can make the trip but only with optimum conditions

Wind and weather can alter its ablility to make the trip so stop-over plans are advised.

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Those reports are inaccurate

There are occasional conditions which would require a stop. Heavy load and massive headwinds, but that would be the exception rather than the norm.

The airline is designed for international travel with the press corps aboard. Were she to use that on a regular basis, it would only be handing ammunition to her enemies.

[eallen]

3. It might depend on what tanks are installed.

Aircraft can be configured in different ways. The version used to transport a senator, family, and staff might not have the same tankage as a long-range version.

[Double T]

4. This military version Gulfstream C-37 aircraft will get the job done

non-stop from Washington D.C. to San Francisco. Their are plenty of other smaller aircraft that will also provide similar service as you have mentioned. Please see attached link:

http://www.theaviationzone.com/factsheets/c37.asp