Part 83, page 311

Transcript

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Portable Dock Box Aids Det. 4

by John D. Elliott Field Service Representative

ARS Det. 4, WARC, Paine Field, Wash. - T/Sgt. James E. Johnson of this detachment has come up with this inexpensive, but highly efficient, mobile dock box as a means of expediting H-43B maintenance. Soon after checking into the detachment, Sergeant Johnson decided that a portable dock stand would be of help to maintenance personnel. He checked around the base until he found an armament box with the proper dimensions and then began a conversion project with the result shown.

The dock box, mounted on four wheels, allows special tools and other items to be taken to the aircraft rather than taking the aircraft to the tools. The top of the box has a door on the front which opens down to provide a small writing table or a work bench for minor maintenance jobs. On the left side of this door, a file is mounted to house the PE cards. Each individual slot is marked and the partitions are slanted so the cards will not fall out when the door is raised or lowered. Inside the door, on the top part of the box, is storage space for special tools. Each tool has a specific place marked with a tag. The door to the top portion has locks for security.

The bottom portion of the dock box has sliding doors with large compartments for storage of larger items such as engine slings, etc. Large special tools are also stored in this area. Often used items such as grease guns, oil cans and some bench stock items are stored in this portion of the box. Installation of a small bin area is being considered to store common usage items for periodic inspection. The sliding doors are secured by locks.

The advantages of this portable dock box are many, and for the most part, apparent. The box is especially useful for periodic inspections but is certainly not limited to this. The box allows easy reference to tools, keeps them in a centrally located place and makes inventory very easy. Having the PE cards near the aircraft saves man hours going back and forth to the Maintenance Office and frees the Dock Chief to be near the aircraft while the inspection is being performed. The chances of misplacing a card are lessened because the box is so handy to replace the card when the work has been accomplished. Small items which can normally be lost easily are located so that they are always available. Items such as glue, gaskets etc. have a specific place in the box and are returned to that place when the men are finished using them. Each separate compartment in the box can be locked, so loss from pilferage or borrowing is held to a minimum.

Sergeant Johnson is continually working to improve this dock box but his basic idea, coupled with his initiative to improve the efficiency of the unit during periodic inspections, deserves special mention. His contribution to Detachment 4 has meant savings in man hours, government equipment and has helped to maintain quality maintenance of Air Rescue Service Aircraft.

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PROBLEM: Pilot's loss of visual ground reference

DISCUSSION: In an actual crash, off base, the crash never seems to occur in an ideal spot. Generally there are high trees, swamp, dry grass, leaves, snow, rain, high humidity, smoke, sand, or dust that complicates the mission. All of these objects will refract the helicopter landing lights. The problem becomes magnified when the light from the fire is also refracted. RESULT: The pilot can lose ground perspective. The pilot can control one light source. Therefore, as the helicopter descends to the site, the pilot should turn "OFF" the landing light as this light refracts greater than the floodlights. When illumination from the fire is sufficient to maintain visual contact, it is advisable to turn "OFF" the floodlights. Use floodlights as the fire diminishes.

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PROBLEM: Difficulty in obtaining adequate site evaluation

DISCUSSION: When people are trapped in a burning aircraft, there is apt to be an over-anxious attitude on the part of rescue personnel. This over-anxiousness can result in an inadequate site evaluation. If haze is present, floodlights will restrict visibility. A prompt, complete landing area determination must be made. A slow, steep approach provides more time to determine the aircraft commitment and insures a safer go-around if necessary. Remember to consider the possibility of the H-43B exhaust igniting inflammables that may be up wind of the fire.

*An engineering change proposal has been submitted to the Air Force by Kaman Aircraft which, if accepted, would modify the tail pipe and should eliminate this possibility. - Ed.

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PROBLEM: Spatial disorientation

DISCUSSION: Dancing flames, flashing lights, loss of horizontal and vertical references, glare, shadows, and undetected aircraft movement combine to cause spatial disorientation (vertigo). This can be avoided by concentration and determination. The pilot and co-pilot must understand that vertigo is very dangerous. Should it occur, the copilot must take control of the aircraft.

These many problems make it appear that night firefighting is too hazardous to attempt. With operating experience in this night firefighting environment, however, these problems become second nature. Confidence is gained. Training will assure sufficient knowledge, experience, and ability to effect timely rescue in all conditions.

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16 KAMAN ROTOR TIPS AUGUST, 1962 DB Cooper-36784