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contraildash

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Everything posted by contraildash

  1. PC-12: Pilatus, AFSOC, Cannon U-28: Pilatus, AFSOC, Hurlburt MC-12: King Air, ACC, TBD (fingers crossed for Beale!) The AF has done a wonderfully confusing job in the designation department on these new aircraft.
  2. "the almost-fighter" haha that's cute
  3. The three times I've tried to could we could have landed, but there was no way we'd get off the ground. (C-310 and a C-172RG) So I've flown over it a few times, once we even saw a AH-64 there...that really surprised me. I figured a '47 would have no problems getting up there, I guess the '64 just flew the valleys and passes up either from Carson or Alamosa (Army high altitude training center). I've always enjoyed flying into places like Aspen or Animas air park in Durango. Animas was a fun time...did it in a KA-200.
  4. They need 'em, considering the retirement of the '53s and the slow pace at which the '22s are coming online. However, I've only found articles concerning the Army buying HH-60Ms and nothing on the USAF..... From Rotor & Wing (this is from 2004): The first two UH-60M prototypes with broad-chord composite main rotors, T700-GE-701D engines and integrated avionics are flying. Even with no immediate increase in allowable gross weight, the UH-60M promises a significant payload-range improvement over early Black Hawks. The Army estimates the UH-60M will carry about 1,000 lb. more than the UH-60A and around 470 lb. more than the UH-60L in hot and high conditions. Improved performance will be appreciated in the heavier Medevac aircraft. "The Afghanistan scenarios are going to be better supported with the additional power in the M," said Smart at AMCOM. The UH-60M will also receive a Hamilton Sundstrand dual digital flight control computer that borrows heavily from Seahawk hardware and architecture. The new computer with advanced flight control laws will provide better stability and an automatic hover hold function especially useful for hoist rescues at night. The medical Mission Equipment Package specification for the HH-60M has been approved. Though Air Methods is not yet under contract for the M-Model, medical interior design work is underway with feedback from Medevac users. Crashworthy Martin Baker attendant seats have already been qualified on the HH-60L and a fixed medical cabinet has given way to a modular medical storage bag. An advanced medical oxygen system will double pressure and volume to meet medical protocols for trauma patients. Changes to make the tilting/elevating litter support system and cabin lighting more maintainable are under study. The HH-60M is also expected to provide an even better communications capability. The AN/ARC-222 multiband radio in the HH-60L already covers some low-frequency civil bands, but according to Smart, "What we really need is a multiband radio that covers everything up to 960 MHz." The interim solution must also be military specified and qualified. Eventually, the Joint Tactical Radio System will cover the full range of frequencies for military and civil communications. The Digital Battlefield gave the HH-60L a requirement for the Improved Data Modem. The IDM, or Blue Force Tracker, on the HH-60M may someday transmit patient information to waiting hospitals en-route. The UH-60M was initially to use a modest digital cockpit integrated by Sikorsky based on experience with Black Hawks outfitted for the Turkish Land Forces. The cancellation of the Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter has suddenly funded common cockpits for the CH-47F and UH-60M. The Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) developed for Special Operations helicopters will also give the HH-60M an integrated crew station readily supported in the broader Army fleet. The CAAS common cockpit has five 6X8 inch multifunction displays. Primary flight symbology, thermal and radar imagery, digital maps and aircraft systems information can be posted on any display, and each portrait panel can be split to maximize and customize information. The Army expects avionics suites for the UH-60M and HH-60M will be identical except for the flir on the Medevac helicopter. Cockpit design is complete; and with further refinement, the MH-60M will give the Army Medical Department a fast, powerful ambulance for mercy missions to come.
  5. Yeah I had heard no "ELT" was activated after the crash...slim hopes...condolences go out to his family. It's been a bad friday...my classmate here was roommates with the stud killed in the T-34 crash in AL friday. It was the last flight before that guy got his wings.... A toast to the three lost this friday....may three glasses be broken in their honor.
  6. That area was part of an aerial survey job I did two years ago...very rugged and isolated. We based out of KDVT, but flew the missions for that area out of Wickenburg. I have photos of '16s flying around us as we flew our survey lines...it was pretty damn cool. This really hit home as my bro is at Luke...but not in the same squadron as the accident pilot/aircraft. I can honestly say that for the first time I was worried for my kid bro...this stuff isn't forgiving. And yet here I am wanting nothing more than to be doing the same thing a year from now.
  7. Very unusual indeed. The CG was an awesome service to grow up around...old man flew '3, '52s, '65s, 60's, and then converted to '130s at his last command. I've been up in '65s more than a few times, and loved every minute. We still have a lot of friends in the service, and for those of ya that live in the SF area you've seen my uncle on TV more than a few times recently. I'm not sure what path my AF career is going to take, but I will always have that "direct commission" to the CG in the back of my mind....I'm a CG brat! What can I say?
  8. Oh comon....Malibu was awesome! haha I just couldn't get over the one girl that just gave up and hung on to the ramp and let the 'lil Asian doctor pass her up....good lord it was sad.
  9. PC-12s are amazing performers. Quite the mountain goat if you will. I personally know several King Air owners who bought PC12s.
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