Helo dunker- what not to do

[ENSKitty]

So, I just thought I would pass this on in case any of you are curious.

Make very, very sure that all your flight suit pockets are securely zipped and your boot laces are tucked. The handle for the window near seat two (the front seats) protrudes out and can easily catch. This happened to more than one person in my class. Even if you get stuck, it's not too bad if you're the person in seat two because your head will be above water and if you're stuck long enough the instructor will get you loose... sucks to be seat 1, though, when the stuck person is blocking the exit.

Oh, and anyone who freaks underwater (like yours truly), don't worry. It's not bad at all. I'm actually kind of mad at myself for letting it freak me out for the longest time (i.e. since I was a freshman in ROTC.) Sooo unneccessary! :-D

 

[pennst8]

Make very, very sure that all your flight suit pockets are securely zipped and your boot laces are tucked.

Shouldn't you always do that? I mean I like being a fod hazard as much as the next guy...

That sucks getting caught on the window, I would have been irked if that was me. I had the rear window (the one that slides) smash my hand and was cursing up a storm underwater.

(Damn! Look at these salty Ensigns!)

 

[Sly1978]

Shouldn't you always do that? I mean I like being a fod hazard as much as the next guy...

ummm...yeah...be sure to always worry about what kind of fod hazard you present. Even when you're not anywhere near a flight line. I suggest getting zippers sewn into the pockets on all your shirts and jeans, too, just to be on the safe side...

Seriously, though, this is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this. Is getting your pockets stuck really that much of a problem?

 

[ENSKitty]

Seriously, though, this is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this. Is getting your pockets stuck really that much of a problem?

I don't know about it being that big of a problem. I just know it happened in our class. Also, remember this is pool gear, so it's older, more worn and it's often a pain to get stiff/crunchy boot laces to do what you want. You probably wouldn't really need to bother about this stuff if it were your own gear because it shouldn't have that potential. But, in the lovely world of pool gear, remember to double check inbetween.

 

[feddoc]

"Is getting your pockets stuck really that much of a problem?"


It depends on how long you (and the guy(s) behind you) can hold your breath while you untangle yourself, perhaps in the dark and sinking fast.


There is a reason why we are taught not to fly with pockets unzipped. I would hate to be known as that guy.

 

[Pags]

"Is getting your pockets stuck really that much of a problem?"


It depends on how long you (and the guy(s) behind you) can hold your breath while you untangle yourself, perhaps in the dark and sinking fast.


There is a reason why we are taught not to fly with pockets unzipped. I would hate to be known as that guy.

Agree. While it doesn't seem like a big deal when you're in the controlled utopia of NASC's pool, it could the difference between life and death in the real world when you have ditch in dark and cold water.

In a real life situation there would be numerous egress hazards, from all the crap on your vest, your helmet, the window levers in a 60, the armor wings, the collective, and what ever other gear adrift there might be from soundproofing come loose, to helmet bags and water bottles.

The 60 is a pain to get out of normally, I can only imagine it would be a nightmate to escape during a ditch

 

[KBayDog]

The 60 is a pain to get out of normally...

I make sure all my trash is secured before I head out to the plane mainly for that reason (the emergency egress is always implied). It's simple Murphy's Law - loose pockets can/will catch on the switches as you get in/out of the bird (particularly if you have a center console). Maybe not such a big deal on a leisurely cold start, but inadvertently messing with the switchology during a hot seat can cause problems. (Also, the pocket you leave unzipped will be the one that will spill all of your loose change, pens, etc.)

Why not just get in the habit of ensuring your pockets are zipped each and every time you go near the bird?

 

[Gatordev]

Why not just get in the habit of ensuring your pockets are zipped each and every time you go near the bird?

I remember waiting for a hotseat to come in. I was in Maint. Control w/ the MC chief and a newer 2P. She was already kind of a soup sandwich, but whatever. As I leave to go out and turnover the aircraft, she bends down to pick something up in MC. With her full CMU-33 vest on, she still managed to spill about 2 dollars worth of coins all over the maintenance counter and floor. Fortunately, the Chief did some chiefly counseling for the JG and sent her on her way, but I got to hear about it when I came back. I'm glad it happened in MC, especially right in front of the chief, which made it more amusing, but could have been lots more trouble in the aircraft.

 

[Pags]

I make sure all my trash is secured before I head out to the plane mainly for that reason (the emergency egress is always implied). It's simple Murphy's Law - loose pockets can/will catch on the switches as you get in/out of the bird (particularly if you have a center console). Maybe not such a big deal on a leisurely cold start, but inadvertently messing with the switchology during a hot seat can cause problems. (Also, the pocket you leave unzipped will be the one that will spill all of your loose change, pens, etc.)

Why not just get in the habit of ensuring your pockets are zipped each and every time you go near the bird?

I guess you guys have to step over the centerl console to get in your seats? We don't have to dance around a console with the doors, but you do have to be a bit of contortionist to squeeze in around the cylic. But before I climb on the bird to preflight, I always make sure my shit's all zipped up.

 

[KBayDog]

I guess you guys have to step over the centerl console to get in your seats? We don't have to dance around a console with the doors, but you do have to be a bit of contortionist to squeeze in around the cylic. But before I climb on the bird to preflight, I always make sure my shit's all zipped up.

Yeah, you have to go up the stairs, around the closet, through the tunnel, under the tranny, over the console, around the cyclic, into the seat...nothing but net.

Not the easiest thing in the world, but it's not bad when you figure out your own system. I guess people were just a lot smaller way back when the Phrog was developed.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Yeah, you have to go up the stairs, around the closet, through the tunnel, under the tranny, over the console, around the cyclic, into the seat...nothing but net.

I thought you were supposed to kick the tranny off the aircraft after you sober up and before your friends catch you.

 

[nittany03]

Always minimize the amount of crap you take to the jet/helo/P-3/whatever. I take a cover if going on the road, ID card, credit card or cash to cover food at a possible divert, and pencil and pen. Other than that, there's no need for anything to be in the pockets of your flight suit when flying. That way even if you brain fart and forget to zip a pocket, nothing can fall out if it's not there to begin with. Whatever you spill out of your chest or arm pockets WILL end up below the ejection seat and WILL be a royal pain in the ass to get back.

 

[MasterBates]

Wow.. I guess I need to break myself of carrying wallet (right thight pocket, zipped), Cell Phone (helmet bag), change (right chest, zipped)..

And I need some NFOs to carry pens/paper/kneeboard.. You know, so I have less fod. And came blame it on them..

 

[KSUFLY]

Wow.. I guess I need to break myself of carrying wallet (right thight pocket, zipped), Cell Phone (helmet bag), change (right chest, zipped)..

And I need some NFOs to carry pens/paper/kneeboard.. You know, so I have less fod. And came blame it on them..

Go E2 and you'll have it made!

 

[KBayDog]

I take...credit card or cash to cover food at a possible divert...

Small bills are your friends.