Low-Level B-52.... just curious

[Bruno82]

During most visits to my wife's grandparent's, her grandpa tells me how B-52s used to fly about 500 feet over where he used to live years ago.

There has never been any sort of adequate runway within 30 miles of that area. He says he used to drive the trucks hauling fuel to the airport where they landed, though (KTUL). He describes them in pretty good detail.

Is there any truth to B-52s flying low level at least 30 miles from an adequate airport? Just curious.

 

[SIG600]

Low level routes can run for hundreds of miles... and yes the BUFF guys get down in the weeds.

 

[Say Again Over]

What does adequate airports have to do with it? Have seen them at 300' many times.

 

[pilotyip]

Oil Burner routes I beleve they used to call them. Ruff on the airplane. Designed to penetrate the Soviet Union at low level. I don't think them partice them much anymore

 

[GCD]

Over time, I can remember seeing several Buffs passing under me on VR/IR Routes.

 

[Spooky 2]

Absolutely true and as YIP says they were called Oil Burner Routes. As I recall these were depicted on the respective sectional charts. Mostly out in the mid west but I recall seeing a Buff pass under me somewhere between LAS and SLC. Impressive. I believe that the B2's also flew some similar missions and the problems encountered with birds at these low alts is fairly well known after having lost a couple of aircraft due to bird strike/ingestions.

 

[propsarebest]

Absolutely true and as YIP says they were called Oil Burner Routes. As I recall these were depicted on the respective sectional charts. Mostly out in the mid west but I recall seeing a Buff pass under me somewhere between LAS and SLC. Impressive. I believe that the B2's also flew some similar missions and the problems encountered with birds at these low alts is fairly well known after having lost a couple of aircraft due to bird strike/ingestions.

A BUFF crashed in southern Utah on such a route in the 60's. The wreckage is still there.

 

[SIG600]

I believe that the B2's also flew some similar missions and the problems encountered with birds at these low alts is fairly well known after having lost a couple of aircraft due to bird strike/ingestions.

I find it hard to believe (albiet not impossible) to lose a BUFF to a bird strike. You would need a gigantic flock of birds to snuff all eight engines, and or incapacitate both dudes up front.

 

[pilotyip]

I find it hard to believe (albiet not impossible) to lose a BUFF to a bird strike. You would need a gigantic flock of birds to snuff all eight engines, and or incapacitate both dudes up front.

oh my gad, the dreaded 7 engine apporach

 

[Spooky 2]

I find it hard to believe (albiet not impossible) to lose a BUFF to a bird strike. You would need a gigantic flock of birds to snuff all eight engines, and or incapacitate both dudes up front.

SIG...you need to read my post again. I said B1 not Buff as in B52 and yes there have been B2 losses due to birds. Also UAL lost a Viscount back in the early sixies when it struck a Swan at cruise alt!