Here are 2 virtual tours of the C-17:

First is the cockpit:

http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/video/md17wb1.htm

Second is the cargo area:

http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/video/md17wb3.htm

Very cool looking.

N87555 was the “Christine” of the fleet (in reference to the Steven King movie) and was always prone to electrical problems. The only time my mom has flown with me commerically was on that aircraft and resulted in her getting stuck at an airport and having to drive herself home. I figured it would be funny to see that 87555/”Triple Nickel” was still up to her old tricks. 😀

I guess it wouldn’t be a flight on the 1900 without a failure or 2. 🙂 Great report though.

Would the N-number on that aircraft happen to N87555??

You had the “honor” of flying on Gulfstream International Airlines. The are a Pay-For-Training outfit that charges low time pilots about $20,000 for sit in the right seat of the 1900D for 250 hours. Basically it’s a training flight with paying passengers. Not the most respected outfit out there due to their hiring/training practices. They use to operated 1900C models they bought our 1900D’s when we were phasing out the turboprops.

Any pictures? I would love to see a picture of our old 1900’s. 🙂 I agree, the tinted windows aren’t very nice for taking pictures through.

When do you add the dirt? 😉

It seems to be a rather normal decent. The airspeed is only a bit over 110 knots with less than 5 degrees nose down pitch. I would guess the VSI is somewhere in the vicinity of 1000 fpm.

What’s its max payload?

The C-160 Transall would be a good comparison as well.

As for the Pave Low:

The MH-53M, weighing roughly 50,000 pounds, can carry up to 37 troops or hook load a charge of up to 20,000 pounds.

vs. CH-47 Chinook:

The Chinook can accommodate a wide variety of internal payloads, including vehicles, artillery pieces, 33 to 44 troops, or 24 litters plus two medical attendants. The “D” model can carry up to 26,000 pounds externally.

They’re fairly close actually with a slight advantage going to the Chinook. I’m sure there’s more to each helo that goes beyond the published numbers. One disadvantage of the CH-47 is the complexity of the dual rotor system.

I have to agree with Grey Area. If the mission was to move equipment up and down a river then you’ll have to compare boats, hovercraft, hydrofoils, etc. Each is quite different but they are all capable of completing the mission.