Approach articles from May 2007

Approach archives from May 2007

In memoriam.
May 1, 2007... Cdr. Robert P. Brewer, USN (Ret.), managing editor of Approach magazine from the first issue through July 1957, passed away earlier this year in Henderson N.C. The continued success of this magazine is in large part a result of his...

Focus on NavAir.(The Initial Approach Fix)
May 1, 2007... In this issue of Approach, we are featuring information about the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). They are an integral part of the process to provide the finest and safest resources to naval aviation. A part of the process that is critical...

Web-Enabled Safety System (WESS).(The Initial Approach Fix)
May 1, 2007... Q. What is the goal of the Naval Aviation Safety Program (OPNAV 3750.6R)? A. The goal of the Naval Aviation Safety Program is to identify and eliminate hazards before they result in mishaps. Everyone associated with naval aviation has...

Aviation-mishap-rate update.(The Initial Approach Fix)
May 1, 2007... One of the missions of the Naval Safety Center is to track and analyze aviation data. As we enter the summer months, we continue to stress programs such as risk management, crew resource management, safety surveys, culture workshops, and...

Today, tomorrow, the future.(FOCUS on NAVAIR)
May 1, 2007... Introduction The editors of Mech and Approach met with PMA202 (Aircrew Systems) and PMA209 (Air Combat Electronics) representatives to learn more about several NAVAIR programs that make naval aviation better and safer. We discussed several...

PMA202: aircrew systems.(FOCUS on NAVAIR)
May 1, 2007... Mission: Provide the Navy and Marine Corps with cost-wise aircrew systems by developing, integrating, fielding, and supporting aircrew safety, survivability and mission enhancement core capabilities. The business card for Capt. CJ Jaynes,...

PMA209: air combat electronics.(FOCUS on NAVAIR)
May 1, 2007... Mission: To provide, integrate and support cost-effective, world-class, transformational airborne capability-centric solutions to enable common warfighter safety, connectivity, computing and interoperability needs. MFOQA: Military Flight...

Breaklock to a breaking shaft.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A breaklock maneuver is a hard turn that may be accompanied by deployment of countermeasures in an attempt to break the lock on of a radar-guided missile. I was two months into my first long cruise as a pilot in...

Traps are free.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How does a good Approach article begin? There I was, in the goo, single engine, on fire, with no navigation equipment, but I managed to find my way back to the ship and make the LSO's eyes water with an OK 3-wire,...

Running out of runway.(Crew Resource Management)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bagram Air Base isn't exactly the most hospitable place for aviation. The Afghanistan airfield elevation is just under 5,000 feet MSL, and the runway is just over 9,800 feet long. In the summer, the temperature...

Now, the rest of the story.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I'll argue this was one of those golden moments that warranted asking forgiveness, rather than permission; although my JOs would argue every moment is a golden moment. If a room full of O-4s, O-5s and O-6s don't...

I thought I had it nailed.
May 1, 2007... In-flight refueling (IFR) is an essential part of today's missions. If correctly done, it's a quick break from the action, and you've got a full bag ready to go. When the refueling doesn't go as planned, however, you can be in for a very bad...

Thunders truck.(ORM Corner)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I was flight scheduled to instruct a new pilot on his first in the squadron and another one who was learning defensive positioning before designation as aircraft commander (AC). As I reached the "identify...

Dave and apple pie.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our plan was to take an MH-60R from NAS Patuxent River to the Dayton airshow. We would fly two legs, with a refueling stop in Morgantown, W.Va. Our DD-175-1 showed the current weather conditions in Morgantown as...

Oops, we sheared the CSDs.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We just had returned from a "good deal" day flight in the eastern Mediterranean. As we flew overhead mom, waiting for the deck to open, I saw the master-caution light on our Prowler's brow panel. I immediately looked...

Save the drama: being unable to control our emotions in a professional manner is similar to a skunk's odor: foul and offending.
May 1, 2007... I "received a phone call the other day from an irate airfield manager. He felt there was too much chatter" on the ground FM net, which is primarily used for vehicle operations. Not beyond blowing a gasket myself on occasion, I let him continue...

Air Traffic Controllers Creed.(Poem)
May 1, 2007... Air Traffic Controllers Creed I am a professional air traffic controller dedicated to the service of my country. As such, I will endeavor to provide the best possible service to all users of the ATC system. I...

NAS Oceana Air Det Norfolk.(Bravo Zulu)
May 1, 2007... AN Kevin Powers was the transport aircrewman on a UC-12M passenger-transport mission that just had landed and shut down at a Midwest Army airfield. After dropping off the passengers, AN Powers took the initiative to do an aircraft walk-around...

Mishap-free milestones.(Bravo Zulu)
May 1, 2007... Mishap-Free Milestones VAW-121 40 years 6,000 hours HMLA/T-303 25 years 190,000 hours HMM-161 12 years 55,187 hours HMH-362 23 years, 9 months 67,000 hours VR-61 24...

Helo IFR (I Follow Roads): I told my copilot I had vertigo and to stay on the instruments with me. His response was less than inspiring, "I ... I ... don't know where we ... are.".
May 1, 2007... As many a helo driver has heard, IFR means "I follow roads." While there is some truth to this meaning, when you're in the middle of the ocean, on a black overcast night, 100 feet off the water, your instrument-flying ability will be...

What's that smell? The Naval Safety Center provides safety assistance and advice to the CNO, CMC, and the Deputy Assistant SECNAV safety to enhance the warfighting capability of the Navy and Marine Corps, preserve resources and improve combat readiness by preventing mishaps and saving lives.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine finishing a two-hour workout, then setting fire to your pair of dirty wool socks. The putrid, light smoke almost would be transparent as the moisture starts to evaporate, then the cloth starts to burn, and...