Boeing C-22 [EN]

C-22
Boeing C-22B
Role	Military transport
Manufacturer	Boeing
Introduced	1963
Primary user	United States Air Force
Produced	4
Developed from	Boeing 727

The Boeing C-22 was a US military version of the Boeing 727. The C-22B, a 727-100, was the primary medium-range aircraft used by the Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau to airlift personnel. They operated 3 C-22B (727-100 based) aircraft. They also operate 1 C-22C (727-200-based) aircraft.

Design and development

The 727-100 was introduced by the airline industry in 1963. It proved to be a major innovative design with its three Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines, one on each side of the rear fuselage and the third in the tail cone. There were three C-22B's in use, all assigned to the 201st Airlift Squadron, District of Columbia Air National Guard.
The C-22B's unique arrangement of leading-edge devices and trailing-edge flaps permit lower approach speeds, thus allowing operation from runways never
intended for a 600 mph (1000 km/h), Mach 0.82 aircraft.
The aircraft has heated and pressurized baggage compartments - one on the right side forward and the second just aft of the wheel well. The two compartments provide 425 cubic feet (12 m³) of cargo space. The fuselage also incorporates a forward entry door and hydraulically opened integral aft airstairs in the tail cone.
The flight controls consist of a hydraulically powered dual-elevator control system with control tab to assist during manual operation. Hydraulically powered rudders use two main systems with a standby system for the lower rudder. The ailerons also are powered by dual-hydraulic systems. They have balance tabs on the outboard and control tabs on the inboard, which assures adequate maneuverability in the event of a total hydraulic failure. The flight spoiler systems assist ailerons and also function as speed brakes. The aircraft's tricycle landing gear consists of a dual-wheel nose gear, left and right dual-wheel main gear, and a retractable tail skid which prevents damaging the aircraft in case of overrotation. Nose wheel steering is hydraulically powered and controlled by a steering wheel to approximately 78 degrees in either direction. Fuel is contained in three main tanks inside the wing center section. Rapid pressure fueling and defueling is accomplished at the fueling station on the right wing. The total fuel capacity is approximately 50,000 pounds (22,700 kg) of JP-4. Fuel may be dumped down to 35,000 pounds (15,900 kg) from all tanks.
The C-22B required four crew members and three or four in-flight passenger specialists for passenger service and safety. The avionics package includes one UHF and two VHF radio altimeters, variable instrument switching and two Collins FD-108 flight directors. A third vertical gyro and an additional VHF transceiver are available in case of failure of the primary systems.

 

Variants

Boeing C-22B

 

C-22A

C-22B

727-100-based

C-22C

727-200-based

 

Operators

United States

• United States Air Force
• Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation

 

Surviving aircraft

The Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation is currently working to raise funds to restore one of the 3 former Air National Guard 201st Airlift Squadron aircraft in hopes to fly the C-22B around the United States and help promote the history and heritage of the aircraft and the Air National Guard.

 

Specifications (C-22B)

General characteristics

• Crew: 4 flight crew, 3-4 specialists
• Length: 133 ft 2 in (40.59 m)
• Wingspan: 108 ft 0 in (32.92 m)
• Height: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
• Wing area: ft² (m²)
• Empty weight: lb (kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 170,000 lb (77,100 kg)
• Powerplant: 3 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 turbofans, 14,000 lbf (62 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: knots (619 mph, 968 km/h, Mach 0.82)
• Range: 1,739 nm (3,220 km)
• Service ceiling: ft (m)