A-26 LADY LIBERTY
Crew Chief
Study Guide
Aircraft
- Wing Span: 70 feet
- Length: 50 feet 9 inches
- Height: 18 feet 6 inches
- Tread: 19 feet 6 inches
- Turning Radius: 44 feet 6 inches
- Basic empty weight 21,000 Lbs
- Max Gross weight 36,000 Lbs
- CAF Minimum Crew: One Pilot, One Co-pilot and one crew member familiar with the aircraft systems (Flight Engineer)
- Load Limits: @26,000lbs +4.27 G’s -2.35 G’s (200mph)
Engines
- Pratt and Whitney R-2800-57 and -79
- Radial 18-cylinder, double-row air-cooled engines
- Two spark plugs per cylinder (18 cylinders per engine)
Propellers
- Hamilton Standard hydromatic, three blade, constant-speed full feathering
- Prop feathering; One electrically-driven auxiliary feathering pump per engine
- Feathering activation; Buttons on instrument panel
- Constant speed range of 1200 to 2700 RPM
Oil
- Total engine oil Capacity: 39 US Gallons
- Useable Capacity: 30 US Gallons
- Standpipe provides a reserve supply of 1.25 US Gallons for feathering
Fuel Tanking
- Two Main Tanks, two auxiliary tanks
Electrical System
- Basic 28-volt direct-current system
- Two 200 ampere generators
- Two 24-volt batteries: Mounted in gear wells
- Two Voltage Regulators: Mounted on the floor of pilots compartment near right outboard wall in the nose.
- External Power Receptacle located on outboard of left nacelle
Hydraulic System
- Used to operate the landing gear, wheel brakes and the bomb bay doors
- Fluid used MIL-H-5606
- Total Capacity: Approx 8 US Gallons
- Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir Capacity: 1.75 US Gallons
- Aircraft has four reservoirs Main, E. gear up, E. bomb bay down. E. Bomb bay up
- Two engine-driven hydraulic pumps
- One emergency hand hydraulic pump
- Hydraulic Pressure Gage
Flight Control System
- Conventional controls mechanically operated through two-way cable systems.
- Trim tabs controlled mechanically
- Right trim tab is preset prior to flight
- Aileron trim tabs provide automatic boosting action
Wing Flap System
- Wing Flaps are synchronously raised or lowered by a drive unit installed in the bomb bay.
- Flaps fully lower in approximately 16 seconds and retract from full down in approximately 15 seconds.
- Takeoff: 15 degrees of flaps
- Land: 38 degrees of flaps
- Full Flaps: 52 degrees
Landing Gear System
- Tricycle type
- Extend fully in approximately 10 seconds
- Retract fully in approximately 15 seconds
- Tail Skid protects rear fuselage during tail-low landings
- Landing Gear Lever: UP, DOWN and NEUTRAL positions
- Landing Gear Auxiliary Lever and Detent Pin: Alternate means of mechanically actuating the landing gear position selector valve. UP and DOWN positions.
- Landing Gear Warning Horn: Sounds when one or both throttles are closed past the one-quarter open position and any landing gear is not down and locked
- Ground Safety Locks: Pins for both mains and nose gear
Brake System
- Pressure from Hydraulic System operates multiple disc brakes on each wheel of the main landing gear
- Parking Brake Handle: Parking brake set by depressing brake pedals and pulling aft on the parking brake handle.
- Emergency Air Brake System (EABS): Independent of the hydraulically operated brake system.
- EABS consists of an air bottle, pressure gage, air brake valve, and shuttle valves interconnected by tubing. Shuttle valves close the brake hydraulic system lines.
- EABS activated by Emergency Air Brake Lever.
- The EABS Lever has RELEASE, NEUTRAL and ON positions
- ON position applies air pressure equally to the mains, NEUTRAL holds the pressure in the lines.
- Desired EABS pressure is 575 PSI with a minimum of 450 PSI
Pitot-Static System
- Pitot head located on the left side of the nose section
- Static pressure obtained through two orifices, one on each side of the fuselage aft section between the gunners compartment and the horizontal stabilizer.
- Alternate source of static pressure is located on the left side of the pilot’s compartment adjacent to the pilots’ seat.
- Static Pressure Selector Switch: Aft (AIRSPEED TUBE) for normal operation. ALTERNATE SOURCE position is forward
Vacuum System
- Two pumps, installed on the lower left side of respective engine
Tachometer
- 1500 RPM: Min Cruise
- 1500-2100 RPM: AUTO LEAN Permitted
- 2100-2400 RPM: AUTO RICH Required
- 2400 RPM: Max Continuous – above this limited to 5 minutes at TO
Power and 30 minutes at military power
- 2700 RPM: Maximum
- Normal cruise speed 225 MPH
Passenger Safety Before Take off and Landing:
- All passenger seat belts secure
- All equipment secure
- Discomfort bags available
- Water for crew and passengers available
- Passenger briefing complete
The primary duties of the crew chief are two fold
1. On the ground duties
2. In-flight duties
The duties of the crew chief while on the ground are:
1. To assist the flight engineer in the preparation of the aircraft for the days mission.
2. To ensure the passenger area of the aircraft is prepared to receive the passengers
3. To ensure all emergency and comfort equipment is operational and present
4. To ensure all crew and passenger comfort and safety items are present
5. To provide the oral briefing to the passengers both before boarding and after
6. To provide care and comfort and safety of the passengers before, during and after the flight
7. To be the ambassador of the Lady liberty to all passengers
8. To ensure the passengers are lead off the flight line and clear of all flight operations
The duties of the crew chief in flight are:
1. To ensure the passengers understand the emergency procedures prior to engine start
2. To observe the passengers for fear and air sickness during the flight.
3. To inform the pilot of any unusual circumstances noted in the passenger/cargo area
4. To be watchful of the rear of the engines for any unusual circumstances.
5. To be sure that all passengers have their seat belts on and attached during take off and landing
6. To present yourself as the knowledgeable professional to all passengers at all times.