Maintenance matters Editor’s Note: The following accounts are from actual mishaps. They have been screened to prevent the release of privileged information. This edition is about the mighty “Herc” and some of things we have done to shorten the time they spend in the air. How would you have dealt with these issues? Fuel Tank […]
Engine bearing failure: detection improved with new technology Andy Rodwell The modern jet engine operates at the very limits of mechanical technology. The speeds and temperatures of the components are pushed to maximum performance at minimum weight, while being able to deliver that performance with reliability that will maintain safety and mission capability. The main […]
Bombers Dan “RCR” Baker The bomber community experienced a mediocre safety record this past year. Compared to last year, all three weapons systems’ Class C events increased by two to four times. Both the B-1 and B-52 Class B rates were greater for FY03 than their five- and ten-year averages, and the B-1 experienced one […]
Managing the risks of Mother Nature in winter Darren De Roos When someone mentions Alaska, the first thing that comes to most of our minds is cold, snowy winters. If you have ever wanted a white Halloween or a frightfully cold April Fool’s Day, Alaska is the place to be. What I mean is that […]
Motivation Chris “Yeti” Perkins What drives you? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you hit the snooze button on the alarm clock three times, leaving only 15 minutes to get out the door and to work? Why do you go five over the limit all the way to the […]
OPS Topics – runway landings; near misses – Brief Article Editor’s Note: The following accounts are from actual mishaps. They have been screened to prevent the release of privileged information. Who goes there? This is usually a question asked by a sentry protecting our resources, but unfortunately some aviators had to worry about “Who Goes […]
Safety Q & A with senior leadership Robert H. Foglesong (In response to the increased emphasis on safety by the Secretary of Defense, we wanted to get the viewpoints of senior Air Force leadership on this vital subject. This interview with Gen Robert H. Foglesong, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, is the first […]
The Strategic Airlifters: C-5 C-17 C-141 – mishaps report Maj David L. Kral Introduction Airlifters, we’re doing well, but we can do better. FY01 was not the best year for Strategic Airlift, but not the worst either. Safety incidents cycle a little over time and last year we were slightly up on our rates. Minimizing […]
Ops topics Editor’s Note: The following accounts are from actual mishaps. They have been screened to prevent the release of privileged information. Awareness: Watchful, wary; having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge. that is how Webster’s defines awareness. How do you as an aircrew member define awareness? Read a few cases where awareness is what […]