11-27-2013, 06:41 AM
quote:Those flights are mostly training missions from Hickam for pilots trying to get their hours in. The reason they sometimes don't even touch their tires to the runway? Extra wear on the treads & they're expensive. My brother-in-law was in the air force and described in detail what the military flights he saw here entailed. Some from the airport, some while looking out that big window at Ken's Pancakes as the 4 engine military cargo planes swooped over.
Originally posted by Bullwinkle
hate to burst your bubble - some may see ITO as a forward air base or pacific staging area.... those 4 engine aircraft doing touch and goes.......rest assured its on some ones target list
You're right about Hilo International as a possible staging area or forward base. If anything ever happened to Hickam, ITO has the runway to be the backup for the air force. Think the main runway is over 13,000 feet long. Remember the giant plane that landed at the wrong airport in Wichita last week? Even that plane only needs a 9000 foot runway to takeoff and land.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves