[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Temp in a KC-135 (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/5/2016 11:29:07 PM EDT
| I'm going on a little trip and I'll be flying in a KC-135. I'm wondering what the temps are going to be like inside the plane so I know what kind of jacket I should bring. Six years of active duty and now five months in the reserves and this is my first time going somewhere on a .mil aircraft. Thanks! |
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Where are you flying from/to?
If you're flying out of Las Vegas, it's going to be hot as shit inside until you get to altitude. As in you're going to sweat. Then it's going to be cold inside. And if you're wet with sweat you're going to be rather uncomfortable. KC-135's are not nearly as well insulated (or soundproofed) as commercial airliners. What I would do: wear my flight suit and bring a flight jacket (depending on how long the flight is) Are you flying in civvies or a uniform? If you're in something like ABU's you can ditch the top while you're standing around before takeoff, then put it on and have a lightweight jacket available for the flight. But it really depends on how long the flight is - an hour? 12? |
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The Engineer sets the temp based on what the Loadmaster / Boom thinks of the passengers.
Bunch of dickheads? Crank the temp down so they put on their heavy clothing and hunker down to keep warm. Some good looking women on the flight? Crank the temp up so they shed their clothing. 
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I've been in a few of them. I'd say a fleece should suffice, it'll be a little chilly but not freezing. Be sure to lay down where the boom operator sits, helluva view. I always keep a fleece handy and I put a lot of hours in a 135 per year. The jet wasn't really designed to keep people happy so it has two settings too hot and too cold. |
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The Engineer sets the temp based on what the Loadmaster / Boom thinks of the passengers. Bunch of dickheads? Crank the temp down so they put on their heavy clothing and hunker down to keep warm. Some good looking women on the flight? Crank the temp up so they shed their clothing. The who sets the temp?
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I passed out drunk once in the boom pod , woke up shivering with a huge chunk of clear ice where my breath was blowing on the fuselage. I'm lucky I didn't die of hypothermia. We landed shortly after it was 110 degrees F on the tarmac . We had to unload all the planes I could used an IV felt like I was dead.
Bring a light jacket it all depends on the crew chief. |
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I passed out drunk once in the boom pod , woke up shivering with a huge chunk of clear ice where my breath was blowing on the fuselage. I'm lucky I didn't die of hypothermia. We landed shortly after it was 110 degrees F on the tarmac . We had to unload all the planes I could used an IV felt like I was dead. Bring a light jacket it all depends on the crew chief. I don't generally touch the thermostat in flight. That's the boom's job. |
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This thread is worthless without pics http://1y7vgdz53a11xyb91s53s6d6.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SR34.jpeg https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/user-kc-135-refueling-920-48.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=920 http://media.defenceindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_KC-135_Refuels_NE-3A_lg.jpg Fucking T (at the time Q) models. |
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Fucking T (at the time Q) models. Quoted:
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This thread is worthless without pics http://1y7vgdz53a11xyb91s53s6d6.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SR34.jpeg https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/user-kc-135-refueling-920-48.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=920 http://media.defenceindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_KC-135_Refuels_NE-3A_lg.jpg Fucking T (at the time Q) models. Balls 18 |
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The who sets the temp? Quoted:
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The Engineer sets the temp based on what the Loadmaster / Boom thinks of the passengers. Bunch of dickheads? Crank the temp down so they put on their heavy clothing and hunker down to keep warm. Some good looking women on the flight? Crank the temp up so they shed their clothing. The who sets the temp? No engineer in a KC-135? Then the guy answering the phone in the left seat does. 
The Boom sets the temp?
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Balls 18 Quoted:
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This thread is worthless without pics http://1y7vgdz53a11xyb91s53s6d6.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SR34.jpeg https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/user-kc-135-refueling-920-48.jpg?quality=85&strip=info&w=920 http://media.defenceindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_KC-135_Refuels_NE-3A_lg.jpg Fucking T (at the time Q) models. Balls 18 A T and an RT. What a bastard of a fuel system. |
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No engineer in a KC-135? Then the guy answering the phone in the left seat does.
The Boom sets the temp?
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The Engineer sets the temp based on what the Loadmaster / Boom thinks of the passengers. Bunch of dickheads? Crank the temp down so they put on their heavy clothing and hunker down to keep warm. Some good looking women on the flight? Crank the temp up so they shed their clothing. The who sets the temp? No engineer in a KC-135? Then the guy answering the phone in the left seat does.
The Boom sets the temp?
FEs on a 135 are like caffeine in 7UP. Never had it, never will.
The boom adjusts with input from pax monitor (usually another boom) who sits in the back when we are hauling people. |
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Thanks for all the replies. We're going from MN to South Korea and stopping in AK for the night. I'll be sure to bring my fleece and knit cap (no hair.) The same things you are going to want at those stops will work for you. Think layers and for that much time in the air seriously consider a sleeping bag and a bed roll. |
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If they have the baggage bins "built" hop on top on one of those as soon as possible. A lot easier to sleep on that than what 135's have that passes for seats. When I've deployed, a lot of us bring sleeping bags and crash on the floor. Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. |
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Just a joke with the idea that you could hang in the middle. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top So...bring a hammock? As some random passenger? I wouldn't suggest it. Just a joke with the idea that you could hang in the middle. Some of our aircrew do have hammocks and they do okay. So it's not a baseless idea. I sleep in the bunks.
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The refueling pod area can be fucking cold. I would sleep in it when they would let me. I'd always travel with a snugpak so I was good but it was funny to see them use that area to keep stuff cold and by cold I mean frozen How else are we expected to haul live lobster.
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FEs on a 135 are like caffeine in 7UP. Never had it, never will. LOL! After riding in a C-130 or two the KC-135 was a welcome difference. All in all the climate inside of the KC-130 was like any other military aircraft, if it's hot outside it's hotter inside, if it's cold outside it's colder inside. |
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Some of our aircrew do have hammocks and they do okay. So it's not a baseless idea. I sleep in the bunks. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top So...bring a hammock? As some random passenger? I wouldn't suggest it. Just a joke with the idea that you could hang in the middle. Some of our aircrew do have hammocks and they do okay. So it's not a baseless idea. I sleep in the bunks. Hammock is best option but ask Boom before you just go hanging stuff up. Better yet, request a seat by cargo door. Bring booze or food (both) for crew and you will get a better seat. Maybe even in the cockpit. Don't get on bag bins for your safety. A good patch of turbs will send you flying in the most uncomfortable way. As far as sleeping, the troop seat backs unhook to allow more room. Bring a good sleeping bag, pillow, double ear pro and movies and lots of food. The KC-135 is an old girl built for doing a job vs comfort. Yes temps can be freezing on the floor (literally) and super hot on the ceiling. It's just how our bleed air system works. I was a -135 boom for almost 10 years. Hope this helps. |
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40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top 40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. The above numbers have been my experience every time i caught a hop on one. I once fell asleep in the boom position, and they forgot about about me. Woke up looking down at the runway of PIT (was on a flight from RAF Bentwaters). Scared the shit out of me. 
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Quoted: The above numbers have been my experience every time i caught a hop on one. I once fell asleep in the boom position, and they forgot about about me. Woke up looking down at the runway of PIT (was on a flight from RAF Bentwaters). Scared the shit out of me. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 50 on the floor 85 at the top 40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. The above numbers have been my experience every time i caught a hop on one. I once fell asleep in the boom position, and they forgot about about me. Woke up looking down at the runway of PIT (was on a flight from RAF Bentwaters). Scared the shit out of me. The KC-135s out of Pittsburgh? My uncle was with the 911th Airlift Wing based out of there. I remember him pointing out the KC-135s from Resurrection Cemetery a few times when we went up to watch airliners take off and land. |
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The KC-135s out of Pittsburgh? My uncle was with the 911th Airlift Wing based out of there. I remember him pointing out the KC-135s from Resurrection Cemetery a few times when we went up to watch airliners take off and land. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top 40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. The above numbers have been my experience every time i caught a hop on one. I once fell asleep in the boom position, and they forgot about about me. Woke up looking down at the runway of PIT (was on a flight from RAF Bentwaters). Scared the shit out of me.
The KC-135s out of Pittsburgh? My uncle was with the 911th Airlift Wing based out of there. I remember him pointing out the KC-135s from Resurrection Cemetery a few times when we went up to watch airliners take off and land. Yup, 171'st ARW if i remember correctly, when I caught that hop with them Oct 1987, they were still flying "A" models. I flew a few times with the 911th guys back in 2004 back and forth from Kuwait to Iraq. Got homesick hanging out with them. 
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Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. Quoted:
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If they have the baggage bins "built" hop on top on one of those as soon as possible. A lot easier to sleep on that than what 135's have that passes for seats. When I've deployed, a lot of us bring sleeping bags and crash on the floor. Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. Guess the past pax monitor when I went to EGUN (a few years back) either didn't know or just didn't give shit. |
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I tend to agree. Took these in '94, Vigilant Warrior/Southern Watch. <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16a_zpsnb67ndif.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16a_zpsnb67ndif.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/connect_zpsfpbomy1e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/connect_zpsfpbomy1e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16b_zpserr89nlr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16b_zpserr89nlr.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16_zpsb4yvzgyn.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16_zpsb4yvzgyn.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/fromShaw_zpsa3xeyklw.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/fromShaw_zpsa3xeyklw.jpg</a> Quoted:
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This thread is worthless without pics I tend to agree. Took these in '94, Vigilant Warrior/Southern Watch. <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16a_zpsnb67ndif.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16a_zpsnb67ndif.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/connect_zpsfpbomy1e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/connect_zpsfpbomy1e.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16b_zpserr89nlr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16b_zpserr89nlr.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/f16_zpsb4yvzgyn.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/f16_zpsb4yvzgyn.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/fivepointfivesix/media/fromShaw_zpsa3xeyklw.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m523/fivepointfivesix/fromShaw_zpsa3xeyklw.jpg</a> My very first deployment was OVW in 94. I was there with the mighty F-4G wild weasels though. 
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My very first deployment was OVW in 94. I was there with the mighty F-4G wild weasels though. Was my first deployment as well. Ended up in Doha ("Camp Snoopy" at the airport) with the 135s and some Seabees that were building up the site. They didn't have the trailers ready yet when we got there so we had to spend the first week in a 4-star hotel (ITT Sheraton, pyramid-looking building). War is hell and all that! Where were you? |
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Was my first deployment as well. Ended up in Doha ("Camp Snoopy" at the airport) with the 135s and some Seabees that were building up the site. They didn't have the trailers ready yet when we got there so we had to spend the first week in a 4-star hotel (ITT Sheraton, pyramid-looking building). War is hell and all that! Where were you? Quoted:
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My very first deployment was OVW in 94. I was there with the mighty F-4G wild weasels though. Was my first deployment as well. Ended up in Doha ("Camp Snoopy" at the airport) with the 135s and some Seabees that were building up the site. They didn't have the trailers ready yet when we got there so we had to spend the first week in a 4-star hotel (ITT Sheraton, pyramid-looking building). War is hell and all that! Where were you? Dharan, staying in Khobar towers. That was good digs before they blew it up. 
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40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top 40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. Gets colder than 40 on the floor. Rode one about 12 years ago. My head was sweating and my feet were freezing, so I took a nap on the bin which was just right. My friend was about to go on the bin and I beat him to it, so he slept on the floor. He woke up later complaining that his camelbak froze. |
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Gets colder than 40 on the floor. Rode one about 12 years ago. My head was sweating and my feet were freezing, so I took a nap on the bin which was just right. My friend was about to go on the bin and I beat him to it, so he slept on the floor. He woke up later complaining that his camelbak froze. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top 40 on the floor. 95 at the top. Best place to sleep is the boom pod in a good sleeping bag. Gets colder than 40 on the floor. Rode one about 12 years ago. My head was sweating and my feet were freezing, so I took a nap on the bin which was just right. My friend was about to go on the bin and I beat him to it, so he slept on the floor. He woke up later complaining that his camelbak froze. Tell the boom to turn on the underfloor heat.
There was a TCTO (modification) a few years ago to add fabric tubes to the heat ducts to help route some of that heat down near the floor. I couldn't discern any real improvement from the previous configuration. |
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Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. Quoted:
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If they have the baggage bins "built" hop on top on one of those as soon as possible. A lot easier to sleep on that than what 135's have that passes for seats. When I've deployed, a lot of us bring sleeping bags and crash on the floor. Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. Air Guard doesn't seem to mind. sleeping bag on the bins on all my trips back and forth from states to Hickham and Guam several of which since 2010 |
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Air Guard doesn't seem to mind. sleeping bag on the bins on all my trips back and forth from states to Hickham and Guam several of which since 2010 Quoted:
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If they have the baggage bins "built" hop on top on one of those as soon as possible. A lot easier to sleep on that than what 135's have that passes for seats. When I've deployed, a lot of us bring sleeping bags and crash on the floor. Sleeping on top of the bins has been prohibited for a decade or so. Air Guard doesn't seem to mind. sleeping bag on the bins on all my trips back and forth from states to Hickham and Guam several of which since 2010 SmilingBandit is in the guard.
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this and more comfortable the more forward you are in the cabin. The benches aren't comfortable, just like a C130. Quoted:
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50 on the floor 85 at the top this and more comfortable the more forward you are in the cabin. The benches aren't comfortable, just like a C130. If you've ever tried to lay sideways on C-17 side seats you'd appreciate the web seats on hercs and -135s more. You just have to loosen the back straps up. |
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Dharan, staying in Khobar towers. That was good digs before they blew it up. Quoted:
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My very first deployment was OVW in 94. I was there with the mighty F-4G wild weasels though. Was my first deployment as well. Ended up in Doha ("Camp Snoopy" at the airport) with the 135s and some Seabees that were building up the site. They didn't have the trailers ready yet when we got there so we had to spend the first week in a 4-star hotel (ITT Sheraton, pyramid-looking building). War is hell and all that! Where were you? Dharan, staying in Khobar towers. That was good digs before they blew it up. Yeah, I spent maybe 5 days in Khobar towers a year or so later, maybe Dec '95. It was an R&R break from a rotation at Al-Jaber, Kuwait. Unfortunately, they had just shut down the Bahrain trips because of too many DUI wrecks on the King Fahd bridge. So I ate some crappy pizza, watched some crappy TV, got a haircut, went to the mall, and went swimming. Pretty boring, but better than tent city in Kuwait. I was actually in Bumfucked Australia when the towers got hit. We had 4 TV channels there (3 local and AFARTS) and I was flipping from one to another, and in between I caught a millisecond glimpse of the blown-up building, and I knew exactly what I had just seen. I was pretty pissed off, to say the least. |