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design, derived in part from the flight controls of the Lockheed P-80. It would take Boeing
another decade to introduce hydraulic flight controls on a transport (B727, 1963 first flight), and
only after hiring a retired Lockheed engineer.
The C-130 rudder control power is scheduled as a function of flap position. When the flaps are in
the 0-15 percent extended range, the hydraulic pressure to the booster assemblies is reduced to
about half the normal value to prevent overload at high speeds. When the flaps are extended
beyond 15%, the full system pressure is available to the rudder booster assemblies to provide
increased control power at low airspeed.
The aircraft is equipped with large Fowler trailing edge flaps that both increase the camber of the
wing and increase the wing area, permitting slower approach speeds.