UH-60A #555

Thanks guys!

Bob,
Sounds good! The article was great, and I still owe you a cold one!
If you've got any shots of Triple Nickel, that'd be awesome. I'm sorry we had to get out of there so quickly on Saturday, but my grandmother wasn't feeling too well.

Snakedriver,

Would you believe I made it! I've got a prototype questionnaire for you too, I'll email it as soon as I get back to my home computer. I'm thinking that our project is gonna be bigger than either of us initially anticipated!

Jon, Weather quiz. CAFB? Clear as a bell. Got my 2nd pink slip at Wolters for not knowing that one. Emergency proceedures!!! Know 'em "dead solid perfect". I used to sit in the cockpit with a stick buddy and do blindfolded touch exercises while reciting the proceedure. Good luck at Rucker. I know a few guys who work as civilian instructors in the instrument dept. Look up Gary "Grandad" White when you get there.

Chapters 5 (Aircraft limits) and Chapter 9 (Emergency Procedures) are the two chapters which have to be memorized and regurgitated as written. All underlined emergency procedures are to be memorized verbatim and non underlined do not. They are considered non-negotiable., as all tests that you take in flight school (and your line unit) the minimum passing grade is 100%. All the other chapters require you to read and be able to discuss.

You'll get about two weeks of academics and about 5 startup/shutdown/EP sims prior to the flightline, but once you hit the flightline, you'll be expected to know 3EP's a day in the flight room, with the possibility of being stood up and quizzed orally. Enjoy your Friday's and Saturdays, but study up on Sundays, and if you are Sierra Hotel, finish all your daily questions for the week, which will keep the stress level down.

Jon,
I have tons of pics of the lift ships at LDAC.

I'll see what I can find on that bird.

Scott,

Sounds very good! Friend of mine is just finishing up Kiowa transition and she's sad she'll give me all of her books, but any head start I can get is more than welcome.

I've heard about the dreaded chapters 5&9. What's the deal with them?

I'm pretty sure the bird I flew on was 81-23555. Couldn't get a real good look at it, cuz I was too busy pulling security and keeping my head down. Just turned and saw the white 555 on the tail as she lifted off. I did note that she did have the HIRSS exhausts, but that's about it. I'm kinda mad that I didn't get a disposable camera.

Thanks for the help!

I went thru my old log book and C/2-4Avn had a 85-24555 that we gave up to a Guard unit in Wisconson or some place up north. If it is the same bird it had under the avionics hatch on the nose, "Charlene" stenciled. The story was that it was the exact opposite of a "Christine" which is a vehicle/aircraft with a mind of its own. This aircraft had alot of compressor stalls and engine problems. Again, don't know if this is the one you flew, as there is a 23555 as well.

Again congrats on getting commissioned. Remember, Wings and The Hanger are two stores that will be your second home at Mutha Rucka. Stay away from Copysmiths, they charge too much and they sell actual tests. If you get caught with the answers to the daily questions on the flightline, as some knucklehead in my class did, after your Art 15 you'll be going to Infantry OBC. Its tempting as the coursework sometimes get overwhelming. Just remember you only have to memorize Chapters 5 and 9 and be able to compently discuss all the others. I have the Th-67 2003 operators manual on .pdf if you want to get a head start. It doesn't hurt.

Again congrats.

Jon,
Don't know about Triple Nickel (555), but I too have plans to backdate the Academy L (really an A +, doesn't have FOD covers on the side intake vents or extended sponsons for the roll stabalizers) to an A model using the CC exhaust set, already have all the parts, just need the time. Should be a pretty easy conversion. Academy has the older struts w/o wire cutters already in the kit. Basically, all you need to do is leave off the wire cutters, disco light, and M130 flare launchers and add the exhaust pieces, and you have an early A model. Mine will be a Grenada bird, full of troopers.