The OFFICES |
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The "Osage"; The "Iraquois"; The "Chinook"; The "Kiowa" |
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The Hughes 300: Army desiganation- TH-55 "Osage". This was the primary basic trainer for Army helicopter flight school when I started in 1982. After about 12-15 hours of dual instruction, you flew your first solo flight - 3 take-offs & 3 landings in the traffic pattern. After that you recieved about another 20 hours of solo flight before moving up to the next level of flight training - The "Huey". |
The Venerable "HUEY" : Made its name in in Viet Nam. It was the work horse for Army Aviation during the war and continued that role up to just a few years ago. It was replaced by the UH-60 "Blackhawk. There are still a few of the "Old Warhorses" around, mostly at Ft. Rucker, the Army's home for Army Aviation, where they are still being used to train flight students. I flew the Huey for 13 years and will fly it one last time before I retire from the army or they finally retire all the Huey's... which ever comes first! |
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"The Beast" - The Army's CH-47D "Chinook". An awesome helicopter that is the heavy mover for the force by air. A truly phenomenal asset to the Army & an exciting pleasure to fly ! The men that crew these aircraft are in a league of their own & of whom I came to respect highly while serving in the "Chinook Community". |
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The OH-58 "Kiowa" - O H stands for Observation Helicopter. The primary role of this aircraft was that of a "Scout" typically found in Air Cavalry units. Now it serves as the Army's primary trainer for flight school in the Combat Skills phase of training. This is the aircraft I am currently flying as an Instructor Pilot. |
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TAKE-OFF IS OPTIONAL ... LANDING IS MANDATORY |
This is what sometimes happens when the ground "rises up" to smite thee while airborne. Believe it or not, the crew of this OH-58C walked away from the aftermath ... It just wasn't a good day to die. |