Edwards to get a MIG-15

If I were Kim Jong-Un, I would worry a little. ;-)

The AFTC, Edwards AFB, CA intends to solicit and award a Firm Fixed Price contract for a MiG-15 aircraft and training. Contractor shall provide aircraft, pilot with the ability to instruct students on the flying qualities of the aircraft provided; in flight instruction, briefings, all management, personnel, tools, vehicles, equipment, and labor necessary.

www.fbo.gov...
Search for FA9302-13-R-0011

So is Groom out of commie planes?

Ok... so... nice. I guess... must be fun... training people in 65 year old planes! thats great!

And everything is fine and dandy, laughs and all that jazz, until you realize that... NK doesnt use Mig 15s in combat, only training. They have Su-7's and 25's, Mig 21s, 23s, 29s, F-5s, 6s and 7's...

So... buy a freakin Mig 21... there was one for sale on ebay a couple of years back. I'm sure you can buy one or two somewhere...

It's an odd scenario...considering that there is no contract....this is just a request to express interest in...

I would be willing to bet that there is a retired military pilot in the area who has contacts at Edwards and has a instructor business with a MIG-15. In order to satisfy the legality of bringing in a new contractor, the AF would be required to publicly offer any such contract.

The second line of the synopsis is:

This is a market survey for information only. This is not a solicitation for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this synopsis.

So it doesn't look like they'll be actually using a MiG-15 anytime soon.

According to the FAA there are currently 42 privately owned MiG-15s in the United States, five of which are in California.

reply to post by gariac


Poland has a 1957 MIG-15 FOR SALE - for only $25,000

The DPRK has plenty of old junky planes and has no problem sending pilots to the slaughter house. They have countless Antonov Colts (AN-2). One time camped out at the TTR, they were flying the Colt around blacked out, except all we heard was a loud prop plane and thought maybe some UAV. It wasn't until the next day that we saw a freakin' biplane! The wiki claims the DPRK has 300 Colts. Reality? Who knows. But we are ready to swat them!

It is really a chore to keep a MIG-15 engine in operating condition. They are serviced every few hundred hours. I don't have the spec handy, but it was mentioned in "Red Eagles."

Downright ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,simple.

Applicability: All SB Lim-1, SB Lim-2 and MiG 15 series aeroplanes.
Requirement: 1. If not already carried out, establish and record time in service for all time-lifed
components and ensure compliance with approved life limits. Refer data approved
pursuant to CAA letter "Operation of MiG 15 Type aeroplanes and Derivatives"
dated 10 August 1993.

2. (a) Carry out an idle speed engine run.
(b) Remove the aircraft tail section and inspect as indicated below to ensure that
there are no unsafe conditions present, with particular reference to flammable
fluids and ignition sources.
Aircraft
(i) the rear fuel tank installation including the fuel transfer pump and
associated plumbing.
(ii) the exhaust section heat blanket.
(iii) the tail pipe and jet nozzle.
(iv) all exposed flexible hoses.
(v) sealing of refuelling port surroundings and filler cap.
Engine
(vi) the upper and lower fuel pumps including the lower pump solenoid
valve (isolation valve)
(vii) the Barometric Pressure Control (BPC) including the vent gauze for
obstruction
(viii) the jet (exhaust) pipe
(ix) measure the turbine blade tip clearance for minimum acceptable
dimension and record the results
(c) Reinstall the aircraft tail section
(d) In accordance with data approved pursuant to CAA letter "Operation of MiG
15 Type Aeroplanes and Derivatives" dated 10 August 1993, mark cockpit
EGT indicators with a "red radial" line at the maximum permissible
temperature for take-off relevant to the rating for the installed engine and
carry out a calibration check of the EGT indicating system, and the engine
RPM indicating system.

3. Carry out an engine ground run and check for:
(a) correct set up for upper and lower engine fuel pumps,
(b) isolation valve operation, and
(c) correct maximum RPM setting.
4. Remove appropriate aircraft fuselage access panels and inspect the engine and rear
fuel tank installation for condition and evidence of flammable fluid leakage.
Reinstall access panels after inspection and any required rectification.
Compliance: Requirements 1, 2 and 3
(a) before further flight for aircraft already issued with a "Permit to Fly for Historical
and Ex-Military Aircraft", and
(b) before being issued with a "Permit to Fly for Historical and Ex-Military Aircraft"
for other aircraft.
Requirements 2 (a), (b), (c) and 3
at intervals of 50 hours time in service
Requirement 2 (b) (ix)
before the first flight of the day
Requirement 4
at intervals of 10 hours in service