View Full Version : Return of the Kiowa (A/C...that is)
noslack5d
08 Oct 09, 23:18
After a long absence from Initial Entry Rotary Wing training, the historic (how fitting) OH-58 made its triumphant return to the IERW flight line and into the waiting open arms of adoring, drooling Scout Wanna be's (and some fat non-RAID Guard bums who just want bragging rights) anxious to get a tiny taste of the Cav life by flying doors off.
Yes, it's not the Kiowa Warrior.
Yes, we're not quite Cav Pilots yet.
But hell yeah, it's awesome to fly doors off.
And even a bigger hell yeah to fly a freaking KIOWA (A, A+, C)...not the orange snow cone colored TH-67.
And hell yeah, it feels good to hum Ride of the Valkyries!
And somehow, we've weaseled and stumbled our way into being part of the distinguished history of the OH-58 (if only as a small, miro-print, almost insignificant foot note) as the first class to fly 58's in IERW after a few years of pure TH-67's
So I guess in a matter of speaking, in our own micro Shell AHP inhabiting world in the micro IERW universe...we can rightfully and proudly boast of being pilots of the (oldest) baddest awesomest WARplanes in the (micro) universe.
How fitting that today I recieved the Newest Helitac with our beloved KW on the cover.
Lou Gehrig (SP? sorry) once said that he's the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I think for today, and the next 4 weeks, I can lay claim to that...and if I select 58's, than for the rest of my life---along with everyone else here.
Aw, who the hell am I kidding...I'm just lucky to be here, 58 or no 58---period.
Great post, noslack5d.
Some of my partners up here at Redstone are blessed to be working on the integration of a new glass cockpit into the OH-58C (and TH-67), for use there on the flightline at Rucker. I forget the exact number, but it's going to be quite a few ships upgraded and sent to Mother Rucker.
I peeked in on the work ongoing. It's going to be pretty cool.
OH-58C's, flying well into the 21st century. Who would have thunk it?
Am truly amazed, and yet very proud.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:UJNWDSxan6C0ZM:http://www.milelongsquid.com/Base%2520Images/kiowa1sm.jpg
kwpilot82nd
09 Oct 09, 06:17
That is awesome!! Great post thanks for the heads up. :rockon:
It was truely sad to go to the flightline for Headhunter flights and notice how the OH-58A/C fleet was getting smaller and smaller each time. It's good to hear they are coming back.
Reaper 06
09 Oct 09, 08:10
Coming back from where?? Bell's not making them anymore. I don't think they will try to recall from Law Enforcement , other Gov Agencies, or Foreign countries. Only leaves S&S airframes. Some of them are slated for D conversions for combat losses then some for Foreign Sales/Loan. Might leave a few for Rucker.
How many are being "freed up" buy the purchase of the EC-145 for the Army?
noslack5d
09 Oct 09, 09:49
OH-58C's, flying well into the 21st century. Who would have thunk it?
Am truly amazed, and yet very proud.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:UJNWDSxan6C0ZM:http://www.milelongsquid.com/Base%2520Images/kiowa1sm.jpg
I'm proud and humbled, too, to be able to partake in it.
My AC serial number began with 69-...would that be the year of manufacture?
If so, then she's one sexy cougar for a 40 year old. Still limber and raring to go---I had to work overtime just to keep up.
My IP was a -47 guy, who went to -TH-67 then started with the -58 in our class. He said "man, I never thought I'd say I miss the extra power of a -58!".
That girl did not want to descend in the traffic pattern...had to put the collective pretty much to the console to make the approach.
Oh, and OGE Hover vs the 67's? We had 15-20% more power---during the afternoon.
<Borat voice> "Very Nice"
Oh and did I mention doors off? (I know I know...)
I swear that ACFT has auto-trim...I must admit with shame that yesterday was the first flight I've had without hearing "trim...trim...TRRRRIIIMMMMMM!!!!" (seriously, does having doors off help with "feeling" for the trim? a buddy told me never had to look at his trim ball on the MFD flying doors off---so he had to find it in the winter when the doors came on...the day before his checkride!)
As an added bonus....we don't get yelled at if we don't quite get the avionics start up perfect---after all, on any given day, you can get an A, A+, or C! While I do strive for "No Slack"...this is one case where I am grateful for it.
Man, am I lucky or what?
Tri2Hover
09 Oct 09, 10:16
I swear that ACFT has auto-trim...I must admit with shame that yesterday was the first flight I've had without hearing "trim...trim...TRRRRIIIMMMMMM!!!!" (seriously, does having doors off help with "feeling" for the trim?
Heh...yes...that would be what all that wind blowing in your face through the side door is for.
meyerflyr
09 Oct 09, 10:36
If you will look through the chin bubble, on the co-pilots side, up under the instrument panel, you will see a data plate. (58D's have 2 data plate's because of the major reconstruction) The first two numbers of the serial number, is the year of the airframe manufacture. That is where you verify info about the aircraft. I started my USA career as a mechanic on the OH-58A/C (67V), flew as an Aero Scout Observer (93 Bimbo), then on thru to the "Scout track" in IERW. As I recall the only time we flew with "Doors On" was when the FAT gage had frost on the glass. If you think that the "Alpha/Charlie" has more power than the TH-67, I'm glad that I don't have to fly the TH-67!!!
You guys are kill'in me. Twenty seven years and 6k hours in 58s (mostly A/C) and I'm sitting here in the land of big mountains with an airplane. I give a little prayer every time I see a KW take off. My unit tore up an A+ about a month ago but I am looking forward to seeing the "girls" again in 6 months (even Christine). We still have three left. Its the last of the single pilot, seat of your pants airframes left.
If you're at cruise and want to trim it just take your feet off the pedals.
Don't strap in, strap it on. She will talk to you when something isn't right.
How many aircraft are left that you can turn off the battery and generator in flight and keep on going?
Anyone know why they're bringing the old birds back to IERW?
Wing 72 you reminded me of a flight in a 58 where someone forgot to turn on the generator and didn't find out until shutdown. Thankfully the battery had a good charge.
We were 30 min out on flight, at night, when we lost the generator. You should have seen my PI when I reached up and shut off the Bat and Gen to save the power to use the radios when we arrived home.
Coming back from where??
National Guard
I'm proud and humbled, too, to be able to partake in it.
My AC serial number began with 69-...would that be the year of manufacture?
1969 - yes.
Anyone know why they're bringing the old birds back to IERW?
More students, not enough TH-67s.
Reaper 06
09 Oct 09, 13:18
National Guard
So roughly about 160 airframes to divide between, D model conversions, Rucker, and then any leftovers to US or Foreign sales/loans.
Will have to wait until after 2013 before you can pry our 4 away from our death grip!:biggrin:
More students, not enough TH-67s.
Exactly. And the OH-58s will only be used for BWS.
Primary and Instruments will still be in the TH-67. They have already started converting some of the TH-67A+ models for use in Primary and some of the Primary birds to the IFR config. (Supposedly, you can't make an IFR out of an A+)
While the OH-58A+/C is, infinitely, better suited to teaching BWS than the TH-67, that wasn't the rationale for the change.
There are not enough TH-67s now due to age and attrition. There are no more TH-67s to be had and there never will be. The student load is going up. They had to do something and using the OH-58A+/C for BWS was the easiest to do, near term.
But even that is unlikely to be enough given the timeline to refit airframes and the overall numbers needed.
The end game is a "next generation training helicopter" (or whatever the fuck the beautiful people are calling it in their Powerpoint presentations today) but, let's just say, that ain't happening next week.
TheHarryMan
09 Oct 09, 15:23
National Guard
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
You will be assimilated! :biggrin:
National Guard
http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2009/4/21/128848185138776525.jpg
:smoke:
I think Chuck's hands have cooled off quite a bit by now. :wink:
Your loyality and enthusiasm for this old workhorse is commendable but I was just wondering... how many of you have ever flown anything other than a Kiowa?
Your loyality and enthusiasm for this old workhorse is commendable but I was just wondering... how many of you have ever flown anything other than a Kiowa?
I don't specifically remember bouncing the rpm off "George" but I'm sure I did it more than a few times.
Unfortunately, I still don't know wtf "Manifold Pressure" actually is.
That still bothers me from time to time. I probably should have known. Hell, I probably should know now but it doesn't actually bother me enough to look it up.
Your loyality and enthusiasm for this old workhorse is commendable but I was just wondering... how many of you have ever flown anything other than a Kiowa?
23 other types of varying complexity myself: 11 ASEL, 7 AMEL, 5 RH
23 other types of varying complexity myself: 11 ASEL, 7 AMEL, 5 RH
Well, damn Matt.... You must know.
WTF is manifold pressure? :biggrin:
Well, damn Matt.... You must know.
WTF is manifold pressure? :biggrin:
It lets you know how much that loud vibrating thing sucks.
Just to clarify, I know only a little about the scooter.
I DO know that it's great at what it's meant to do, fun to fly, and flying doors off single pilot is going to be something I will keep as a great memory.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
But you will get dandy UH-72As.
By some fortunate happenstance, it appears that I'm traveling down to Hanchey on Tuesday to fly an OH-58D, and then over to Lowe on Wednesday morning to copilot an OH-58C.
Like noslack5d, I am a very lucky man.
:smoke:
It lets you know how much that loud vibrating thing sucks.
Now that's what I'm talking about....
A KISS explaination tailor made for my feeble faculties. :biggrin:
Kamsamnida!
By some fortunate happenstance, it appears that I'm traveling down to Hanchey on Tuesday to fly an OH-58D, and then over to Lowe on Wednesday morning to copilot an OH-58C.
Hey Sparks!
As you're taking off out of Lowe, give a wave up.
I'll be the guy in the orange and white Revell Snaptight buzzing over the top of you at about 1200 MSL on the Copter VOR 069 with the "OMG, we're gonna fucking die!!" look permanently etched on his face. :smoke:
It's a date, sir!!
:wink:
noslack5d
10 Oct 09, 08:14
Hey Sparks!
As you're taking off out of Lowe, give a wave up.
I'll be the guy in the orange and white Revell Snaptight buzzing over the top of you at about 1200 MSL on the Copter VOR 069 with the "OMG, we're gonna fucking die!!" look permanently etched on his face. :smoke:
Hey, I remember seeing that look 2 weeks ago!!
noslack5d
10 Oct 09, 08:25
Heh...yes...that would be what all that wind blowing in your face through the side door is for.
Yeah, I was so glad I always "felt" in trim I told my IP about it, and he asks the guy in the back if he's hot while I'm looking at my map. Next thing I know I have a Blue Circle and RUNKLE smacking me in the face.
"This is how you can tell when you're not in trim". I could hear him laughing after he RELEASED the ICS switch. I think he's asked that question before and got the same answer, and result.
Silence from my end as I tried to pry the map off of my face. Once I did get my map off my face...I grew an appreciation as to why dogs like sticking their heads out of the car windows.
And I had to repress the urge to say"I feel the need...the need for speed".
Ok, I confess, I said it---but I had the presence of mind NOT to key ICS or Radio...*I hope*
TheHarryMan
11 Oct 09, 22:28
But you will get dandy UH-72As.
Nooooooooooooooo…(again)
I don’t think it will be able to accomplish “the mission” nearly as well as the 58A+. One of the things that the 58 has going for it is that no one, besides those of us who fly it, really gives a crap about it. I can take off for a week, fly 25-30 hours single pilot in mountainous terrain, refuel from a trailer at a road intersection 4 miles from the middle of nowhere (repeatedly) and not even register as a blip on the radar screen of the head-shed.
As soon as we get the 72 every field grade officer in the state will want to be qualified in it. Can we fly it single pilot? I’ve heard no. Even heard that some states are putting CEs in the back like a mini Blackhawk. I also hear that there is no engine filtration system…just a wire screen. So there goes 75% of my landing areas once I bring the aircraft back with engines that are failing HIT checks after only a couple weeks of flying. Oh ya, I also understand that you can’t take the doors off which inhibits me and my “customers’” ability to accomplish the mission.
I hope that none of the crap that I listed is true but even if half of it is, then I’ll be wishing I had my 37 yr old aircraft back.
bigduke06
12 Oct 09, 06:43
Harryman,
Glad to hear others are steeped in the tradition of flying legacy aircraft and enjoying the experience. I have a feeling these A/C will be around for a while longer. The -72 is coming, but until the State flies that last -58 to the AVCRAD.... enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
BTW, guess who else is experiencing the joys of the -58C??? The Iraqi Airforce!! Go figure.
BTW, guess who else is experiencing the joys of the -58C??? The Iraqi Airforce!! Go figure.
They have eight over there..
I hope that none of the crap that I listed is true but even if half of it is, then I’ll be wishing I had my 37 yr old aircraft back.
You might as well get a 72 -10 and start reading.
TheHarryMan
12 Oct 09, 12:06
You might as well get a 72 -10 and start reading.
Can anyone point me in the right direction to get a digital copy of the -10 (UH-72). I tried AKO, USAPA, and LOGSA (which seems to be broke).
cyclops55
12 Oct 09, 13:51
You can find all the tech pubs on the JTDI page. Its where the PMs hang all documents/knowledge management. I think they used to call it KMANET too. You need a CAC card to access.
DocAdams91
12 Oct 09, 15:21
1969 - yes.
I always thought the first two digits were the fiscal year the acft was bought in?
noslack5d
12 Oct 09, 22:09
I always thought the first two digits were the fiscal year the acft was bought in?
Either way...flew a 68---now I'm curious what would be the oldest I'll have the honor of flying. It's hard to comprehend the history in each of those bad boys---I am in awe in the thought that I may be flying an honest to goodness Vietnam War aircraft (possible maybe?). Even more in awe that I sit where other greater men may have sat before and maybe have fought and bled for our country in the very same aircraft. I can only begin to strive to measure up to the level of bravery that those aircraft may have been a part of. :salute:
TH-67 can't quite lay claim to the same history.
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