• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

CH47 Chinook

The new Chinooks would likely be crewed with a blend of experienced Chinook-qualified aviators, other experienced tactical aviators (Griffon, etc...) and by new pipeliners.  This breadth of experience would ensure depth and sustainability to the operation.  The Chinook is a very impressive aircraft to fly; powerful, stable and surprisingly manoeuvrable.

Regards
G2G
 
Good2Golf said:
The new Chinooks would likely be crewed with a blend of experienced Chinook-qualified aviators, other experienced tactical aviators (Griffon, etc...) and by new pipeliners.  This breadth of experience would ensure depth and sustainability to the operation.  The Chinook is a very impressive aircraft to fly; powerful, stable and surprisingly manoeuvrable.

Regards
G2G

Are you a pilot? I forgot to ask lol....
I've flown as a pax in the Chinook in the late 70s/early 80's and again in a US Army Chinook in 96. Amazing aircraft!!
 
GAP said:

;)

...although I prefer the term "Aviator," as that includes not just flying an aircraft but understanding and tailoring the application of aviation capability* to support the Airmobile Force Commander's intent and scheme of manoeuvre.

Cheers
G2G

* - including conduct of the estimate and ability to read, interpret and conduct dynamic cockpit folding operations of maps down to 1:12,500 scale (i.e. the map-tac 'steering wheel')
 
Good2Golf said:
;)

...although I prefer the term "Aviator," as that includes not just flying an aircraft but understanding and tailoring the application of aviation capability* to support the Airmobile Force Commander's intent and scheme of manoeuvre.

Cheers
G2G

* - including conduct of the estimate and ability to read, interpret and conduct dynamic cockpit folding operations of maps down to 1:12,500 scale (i.e. the map-tac 'steering wheel')

LIKE!
 
But, but...  I don't know any "Aviator" jokes. I have tons of pilot jokes. ;D
 
eurowing said:
But, but...  I don't know any "Aviator" jokes. I have tons of pilot jokes. ;D

How many aviators does it take to change a lightbulb?

None.  Real pilots just leave them in the dark.
 
I work on the theory that if God had wanted soldiers to fly, He would have made the sky brown.
 
Old Sweat said:
I work on the theory that if God had wanted soldiers to fly, He would have made the sky brown.

Well, sometimes He needs a little help.

 
benny88 said:
Anyone care to speculate on whether new pilots will be piped directly to this aircraft? Also, I know this is a very general question, but what's flying them like? Tac Hel has begun to creep further and further up my list...

Here's a better question (at least as far as I'm concenred.)  Will the new squadron be employing missions specialists?  And, if so, who does an infantry sergeant need to blow to become one of them, if they are indeed going to employ them?
 
I would expect that at least 6 of these aircraft would be bought by the civilian market if given a chance and a decent price. I know on the West Coast that a early Chinook and a Vertol are quite busy, they might welcome a chance to upgrade their fleet. Not the first time either, seems this company bought up our Labs for conversion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Helicopters#cite_note-3


IMG_3327.jpg




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PH-10171a.jpg
 
Anyone's Grunt said:
Here's a better question (at least as far as I'm concenred.)  Will the new squadron be employing missions specialists?  And, if so, who does an infantry sergeant need to blow to become one of them, if they are indeed going to employ them?

When the CAS was at work last week he said that the sqn will be employing full-time specialists that will be fully posted to the sqn as oppose to the current attach postings that gunners are getting.  Don't know the answer to the second part of the question, sorry! 

I'm guessing that the specialists' role will expand when this happens otherwise they might get bored OR they will be used as the standards/training guys for when they augment for deployments.  I think they'll be looking for mostly junior ranks though, sorry Sergeant!

Rumours are that a significant number of these specialists will be required as well.  Sounds like a pretty cool gig that includes aircrew perks/allowances! 
 
If it becomes a bona-fide trade. It will most likely be a blue trade.  Hence open to VOT and subsequent reduction in rank - so don't despair senior NCOs, you too can play.
 
Taking the High Ground
Article Link
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - Skip Robinson

Since the Canadian Forces purchased six CH-47Ds from the U.S. Army, its personnel have been training with National Guard units throughout the U.S., including mountain training with B Company of the 1st Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) out of Stockton, Calif.

In 2008, when the Canadian Forces decided to purchase six Chinook D-model helicopters from the United States Army to support its operations in Afghanistan, it had been 16 years since it had sold its previous Chinooks to the Netherlands (see p.8, Canadian Combat Helicopters in Afghanistan supplement, Vertical, Dec'10-Jan'11). Consequently, there was no current Canadian Air Force experience on the CH-47 — no pilots, instructors, flight engineers, maintainers or avionics techs who had flown or worked on Chinooks. And, because Canada's only Chinooks were the ones actually in Afghanistan, there was no way for personnel to train on the CH-47D (Canadian designated CH-147D) in Canada.

To overcome this hurdle, the Canadian Forces began working with the U.S. Army and National Guard (see p.14, Vertical 911, Spring 2010). As a result, Canadian pilots and maintainers now attend U.S. Army qualification courses for their initial Chinook training, then go through a "Canadian seasoning program" at an Army National Guard flight facility. This seasoning program is spearheaded by the National Guard Bureau at the U.S. Department of Defense, which organizes the training through different states depending on operational tempo and aircraft availability.

Built to Suit
Although the seasoning program has a loosely followed curriculum, B Company of the 1st Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), California Army National Guard, based out of Stockton — prefers to develop a training schedule based on an individual aviator's proficiency and what he or she would like to learn or practice. As one instructor pilot with B Company, who are known as the Delta Schooners, explained, "Whereas one pilot may want to simply work on [basic] tasks, others may be ready to jump into graduate-level maneuvers such as NVG [night vision goggle] dust landings with an external load."

The typical seasoning program is a two-week curriculum that follows the "crawl, walk, run" process. The training program has evolved quickly since 2008, and includes all personnel involved in the Chinook program, from maintainers and avionics technicians, to production control clerks and maintenance officers. On the operations side, training is given to pilots and flight engineers (FEs). Said the B Company instructor pilot, "It's nice when they bring their own FEs, since they have slightly different 'call and response' techniques, and they can help communicate with the American crews when Canadian crewmembers are speaking in French."
More on link
 
Zoomie said:
If it becomes a bona-fide trade. It will most likely be a blue trade.  Hence open to VOT and subsequent reduction in rank - so don't despair senior NCOs, you too can play.

I cannot see it becoming a bona-fide trade. Ever. For one, would not be enough bodies to stand up a new trade as there are only so many TacHell Sqn's. I can think of other reasons but this one alone would squish that thought.

To Anyone's Grunt....all Tac Hel employs Msn Specs and I don't see the Chinook Sqn being different, but that's what I think. Your CoC/CM is the way to go IRT being a Msn Spec. If you are on one of the 3 big bases, go to the Sqn there and have a chat with the Msn Specs.
 
Update on the CH 147F models.  Still designated MHLH by the way.  I highly doubt they will have an "A" designator as it just doesn't make sense to be honest but thats just my two cents.

First bird is on the jig and the fuselage is just about complete.  No OPSEC issues here either for those that may be concerned as that little nugget was taken from open source.  Expected delivery is still mid-end 2012. 

The unclass memo is out and about from 1 Wg Comd wrt the standup of the new squadron.  Intent is to lean heavily on IMLC crews as this will form the trg cadre.  Aircrew will consist of 19 pilots and 6 FEs.  No mention of LMs so I am not sure where that stands.  I know there are still battles being fought over the viability of having a LM in stead of a second FE (as the Brits do it, our IMLC program has been modelled solely after the US Armys 2 FE system thus far).  Requirements for techs are 3 x ACS, 5 x AMSup, 23 x AVN, 15 x AVS, 2 x AWS, 1 x Int, 3 x LOG Air, 2 x Met, 1 x MSE, 3x RMS.  Decisions on pers to man the startup positions as well as the new CO/SCWO are to be made before the boards sit in Oct 11.

A/C 205 (crashed 16 May) is being returned to Canada but no mention on the rest of the Delta models.  Last rumour is they are still looking for buyers but the prospect of flying them has snuck back into the rumour mill.  Wait and shoot I guess on that.

Anybody have anything else?
 
WRT the new Sqn, there will be a SigOp det, of I believe 3 pers including 1x Sgt. Didn't see it on your list of the tech requirements.
 
The memo I referred to is only the standup guys for the new Sqn.  Are the Sig Ops to be in the initial cadre in 2012 APS?  Or are they in the follow on crews over the next couple of years?

HH
 
I'd have to ask the friend I know who is supposedly going to be posted there. I think it would be safe to assume that they'd be on ground right from the start, as a new Sqn would need all the IT infrastructure as well as COMSEC material be shipped in and a COMSEC account creation.
 
Back
Top