Ask The Pilot

[OZDUCK]

I just saw on FR25 that a C-40 Clipper of the US Navy landed at Cocos Island (departed from Darwin).

Any clues why the US Navy would do such a run?

An uninformed suggestion would be that it is on its way to the secretive Diego Garcia base. Darwin to Cocos 3,680 km and Cocos to Diego Garcia 2,700 km. Seems like a nice refueling spot with no unwelcome eyes around.

 

[markis10]

That aircraft originated in Japan and tracked via Guam to DRW, likely Admiral Stephen Koehler the current PACFLT commander, maybe picked up some pax in DRW ex weekend Shangri-La junket in SIN

 

[exLXCXFF]

An uninformed suggestion would be that it is on its way to the secretive Diego Garcia base.

That is likely spot on - the aircraft is currently exactly in that vicinity.

How is jet fuel getting to Cocos / Christmas for refilling? Is there a cargo ship for that specifically?

 

[OZDUCK]

Viva Energy Aust. Supply petrol, diesel and jet fuel to Cocos and from what I can see it comes via ship from Fremantle.

 

[JessicaTam]

What do you talk about with the person wearing headphones walking next to the tug as you are being pushed back?

 

[jb747]

Just a few standard comments, re the clearance to push/start, and any instructions from ATC. Brakes off/on. Starting engine x,y,z. Clearance to disconnect.

 

[OZDUCK]

Lufthansa have a bent very new B787 at Frankfurt currently. The front gear 'collapsed' at the gate while the airbridge and various service equipment was attached. Any idea what could have gone badly enough wrong to cause the front undercarriage to fail/retract? The ground worker was very lucky to just be missed by the falling nose but apparently some crew were onboard and there were injuries.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2062510866981924920