Current Issue Articles
U.S. Army Rotorcraft Crashworthy Fuel Cell Qualification
AMRDEC Tech Talk / By Mr. Nathan Fulks: U.S. Army rotorcraft fuel cells qualified to MIL-DTL-27422 (Aircraft Ballistic-Tolerant Crash Resistant Fuel Tank) are designed for survivability in two ways. First, they are designed to retain fuel during a survivable crash in order to prevent post-crash fires. Workers prepare an MH-47 fuel cell to be released as part of a fuel cell drop test. / AMRDEC AED COURTESY PHOTO Secondly, they are designed to “self-seal” when penetrated by small arms fire. This column focuses on the crashworthy capability of these fuel cells. Prior to the development of the crashworthy fuel system...
Learn MoreGot HART? Increasing Readiness While Reducing Risk in Domestic Operations
By CW5 (Ret.) Ronald C. Moring and CW4 David P. Peveto: When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, it pummeled Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. More than 34,000 people were rescued by the Coast Guard alone, and more than 15,000 refugees entered the Superdome in New Orleans to evade the storm surge. The after-math of the super storm which killed nearly 2,000 people and damaged over 90,000 square miles of our homeland, invigorated multi-agencies to prepare, plan and work together for future disasters. SFC Frank Palfrey of 1st Bn., 224th Avn. Regt., PAARNG, conducts rescue hoist operations in a...
Learn MoreFWAATS: Army Aviation’s Present and Future Home for High Quality, Low Cost Fixed Wing Training
By LTC James Rae: Located in scenic Bridgeport, West Virginia, the Fixed Wing Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (FWAATS) is the only Army National Guard (ARNG) training site that provides Army aviator (Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard) fixed wing training instruction. Since its inception as the Eastern Fixed Wing Training Site (later renamed FWAATS) in 1992, FWAATS has trained more than 2,500 Soldiers across all three Army components in the operation of Army standard and non-standard fixed wing aircraft. Accredited through The Army School System (TASS), FWAATS has on three occasions been certified as a “Learning Institution of...
Learn MoreWhat is a Chief Warrant Officer of a Battalion?
By CW4(P) Jeffrey D. Starritt: This fiscal year, the Aviation Branch and the Army established the Combat Aviation Brigade Command Chief Warrant Officer position. At units other than brigade level, Senior Warrant Officer Advisors provide a valuable service to commanders, staff, Soldiers and especially Warrant Officers. Those warrant officers who assume the additional duties in conjunction with their primary duties represent the Army Profession. — CW5 Randy Godfrey, Chief Warrant Officer of the Aviation Branch The author, CW4 Jeff Starritt (left), HHC, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, provides career advice to CW3 Heath Morecraft, Co. H, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion,...
Learn MoreCardiac Risk Screening
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By Dr. (LTC) Joseph Puskar: Q: I was notified I failed level one cardiac stress testing during my annual flight physical. What do we have to do now? FS: Cardiovascular disease is the single most common medical cause of loss of flight status in both military and civil aviation. The screening methods available today help identify aviators at higher risk of heart attack and stroke, and possible incapacitation during flight operations, and for whom further testing is indicated. Risk factors that can easily be screened for in the primary care clinic include smoking history, hypertension,...
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