In Black Eagle Force - Eye of the Storm, Buck and I came up with a procedure to launch our Black Eagle VTOLs out of a C-5M Super Galaxy in flight. 12,000 feet @ 250 knots. Below is an excerpt from Chapt. 14 when Mike "Cowboy" Hermann experiences his first launch.
The cargo ramp was open on the giant bird as the last of the Black Eagles made ready to launch. Mike Hermann was at the controls of Black Eagle Four on his first actual launch and he tried to maintain an air of confidence. Weapons Systems Operator Glenn "Bug" Haug had just returned from sick leave and was still a little sore from his run in with the Mexican APC. He smiled as he heard Mike's breathing rate start to increase when they eased out of the cargo bay.
"Easy son. It's just like the simulator… except if you screw the pooch, we die," Glenn said dryly.
"I'll try to keep that in mind."
"Okay, here we go," Glenn said.
As the bird floated off the ramp into Mama Bird's turbulence, Mike couldn't help yelling,
"Holy Cow!!"
The ride smoothed out as he pushed the nose over and descended below the huge black craft.
"See, told you. Just like the sim," chuckled Glenn.
In our sequel, Black Eagle Force - Sacred Mountain (currently being written) Mike gets to make his first docking recovery in flight. None of the Black Eagle Force had docked in flight before except in the simulator. It's a trip!
Ken Farmer - co-author
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