These next few are some pictures I took of 081. We received word yesterday that it was headed for the new F model line (they aren't going to repair the cracks). Which means it is going to be shipped back to the states, have all the main components removed and crushed into a cube. So of course the first question we asked is -What can we take? They gave us a list and within hours everything was stripped off. It was like watching kids in a candy store.
Friday, April 11, 2008
These next few are some pictures I took of 081. We received word yesterday that it was headed for the new F model line (they aren't going to repair the cracks). Which means it is going to be shipped back to the states, have all the main components removed and crushed into a cube. So of course the first question we asked is -What can we take? They gave us a list and within hours everything was stripped off. It was like watching kids in a candy store.
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I don't think the pilots actually repair things, do they? You have mechanics who do this. I think. But pilots, maintenance pilots, must have to know how everything works and fits. Who checks the mechanics? Or is the checking in the flying only? Do pilots have tools which they use to repair and adjust? How specialized are the mechanics? Are there people who work only on certain parts of the air craft?
As pilots we are not allowed to actually repair anything. Us maintenance pilots are very involved in the troubleshooting and decided how to get something fixed but the mechanics do the actual work. Everything they do is written down (on computers now) and then the work is inspected by a TI (technical inspector) who is a senior mechanic and that is all they do. They are not allowed to do any of the work to avoid a conflict of interest. Every bit of work is recorded, down to the removal and re-installation of every bolt and nut. On some tasks the TI has to inspect at various steps because things are covered up, like seals or pins holding something internally so as pilots we can't see a lot of the work. We have to trust the inspectors that it was done right. Before every flight we look over the aircraft and check the logbook (where all the work is recorded) to make sure there is no open work. The mechanics are broken down into two basic groups - the general mechanics that remove and reinstall components and the shops. The shops include airframe (repair the aircraft structure), avionics/electronics (anything electrical), engine, hydraulics, and prop and rotor (anything with the blades, rotorheads, or swashplates). All the different shop sections have their own schools that they go to but they can work on all the Army's helicopters whereas the general mechanics are aircraft specific.
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