Last Friday (26), one of the cameras that broadcast live action at Guarulhos International Airport recorded an interesting operation of an F-5 fighter of the Brazilian Air Force.
In the video, published by the already known Golf Oscar Romeo channel, it is possible to see a FAB F-5EM Tiger II aborting a takeoff. To assist in braking, the FAB fighter makes use of a braking parachute. Check out the images.
The F-5 enters the runway shortly after a LATAM Airbus A320 takes off. Moments later, the pilot advances the throttles to full, activating the afterburners of the General Electric J85-GE-21 engines for about six seconds.
After running around the runway for about 17 seconds, the pilot aborts the takeoff and activates the braking parachute lever, also called drag chute. The equipment comes out of a small compartment at the rear of the F-5, just above the engines. Through drag, the parachute slows down the aircraft.
The F-5 is heading towards the left side of the runway, where the drag kick is jettisoned. Shortly after the fighter leaves the runway, a fire engine enters and collects the parachute.
common operation
The Operation of Fighters F-5EM and F-5FM Tiger II in Guarulhos it has been quite common for a long time, as well as the use of braking parachutes.
The heaviest maintenance on the fighters is carried out by the Aeronautical Material Park of São Paulo (PAMA SP), located in Campo de Marte. However, the 1600-meter runway is too short to accommodate the F-5s. For this reason, the fighter jets land in Guarulhos, are partially disassembled and taken in a special truck to PAMA. The operation is carried out at night to avoid traffic problems.
After the end of maintenance, the F-5 is taken back to Guarulhos, again on the trailer. However, before going to one of the squadrons that operate the model, tests are made with the fighter. And it is precisely one of these tests that the video shows.
A FAB military explained to Portal Aeroflap that the images show a track run, made before the test flight, mandatory after the maintenance of “Park level”. The fighter accelerates to around 140 knots (259 km/h), when the drag kick is engaged and the takeoff is aborted. The procedure is also called abortive takeoff, as explained by the military.
In conclusion, despite drawing attention (and being beautiful to see!), the pictures show a completely normal procedure.
Currently, the FAB has 47 F-5M fighters, 43 one-seat F-5EM and four two-seat F-5FM. The fighters are divided into five squadrons: the 1st/4th GAv, Pacau Squadron, based in Manaus (AM); the 1st Air Defense Group, Jaguar Squadron, based in Anápolis (GO); the 1st/14th GAv, Pampa Squadron, based in Canoas (RS) and the 1st/1st and 2nd/1st Fighter Aviation Group, Jambock and Pif-Paf squadrons, both based in Santa Cruz (RJ).
