The LC130, also known as Hercules, or the Herc, is an incredible plane. Its primary purpose is to haul cargo to polar regions like Antarctica and Greenland and support research bases there. It is unique because it can land in snow with its ski-like landing gear. Ten are currently in service with the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard and each can weigh up to 155,000 pounds when fully loaded with their cargo of food, fuel, equipment and personnel. The Herc is just over 97 feet in length and has a wingspan of 132 feet, the largest ski aircraft in the world.
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The planes, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, were originally developed by the Navy’s arctic program before it ended. When the program was developing, the question was how to get supplies safely and routinely transported to those icy regions. Because planes are the most efficient way of transporting equipment and supplies they don’t have to navigate through ice like boats would and are much faster the Air Force conducted extensive testing of a ski-wheel configured C130A during 1957 which could be operated from both conventional runways and snow or ice covered surfaces. Once they were tested and developed, they proved to be efficient, if a little difficult to pilot.
The Herc has retractable wheel-and-ski landing gear in order to take off from a conventional runway and land on a ski-way and vice versa. The skis are Teflon-coated and each weigh about a ton. Four turbo-prop engines provide the power, and their combined muscle is usually enough to get this hulking plane airborne, however, when necessary, it can also fire eight JATO (Jet Assisted Takeoff) bottles for a 15second boost. JATOs were created to help overloaded aircraft into the air by providing additional thrust in the form of small rockets (The term JATO is used interchangeably with the (more specific) term RATO, for Rocket Assisted Take Off). They are used when the Herc operates from rough, unprepared snow surfaces or when shorter takeoff runs are needed. Because takeoffs often take place at high altitudes, where the air is thin, the Herc may have to make several takeoff attempts, or "slides" before actually taking off. The planes now belong to the New York Air National Guard.
When not equipped with the ski-landing gear, the Herc performs other functions as well. It can be used as an airborne firefighting system, and airborne weather station, as well as delivering aerial pest control. The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force uses the Herc to patrol its waters to prevent illegal fishing.
It will be a unique opportunity to get to ride in The Herc and see the aircraft in action!
References: http:// http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2013/sevenunexpectedmissionsofthec130hercules.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_LC130 http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/howthelc130fliestogreenlandandantarctica#slide1
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