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U.S. ARMY APACHE
Chief Pilot's Log - September 2009
By Mark Metzger
Bob Ferguson Photo
Boeing Rotorcraft test pilots routinely conduct day and night flights out of the Boeing facility in Mesa, Ariz., testing the new Apache Block III capabilities.
Editor’s Note: As the Boeing Rotorcraft Chief Pilot, Mark Metzger leads a crew of men and women that put helicopters through their paces by testing new capabilities, validating flight information and data, and verifying that Boeing helicopters deliver the very best to its customers.
Rotorcraft Flight Operations is made up of 23 pilots and two CH-47 flight engineers. We have production flight operations supporting the Chinook program in Philadelphia, Penn. and supporting the Apache program in Mesa, Ariz. Additionally we have Developmental Flight Testing occurring on the A160 in Victorville, Calif., and at Fort Stewart, Ga. V-22 Development Testing is in Patuxent River, Md. CH-47 Retrofit and Development testing is ongoing in the United Kingdom and Developmental Testing of the AH-6i helicopter and for the Unmanned Little Bird test Demonstrator is in Mesa. Developmental testing on the AH-64D Apache Block III is happening in Yuma, Ariz., and Mesa as well as in Lakehurst, N.J., and we're working Customer Support Operations in Megara, Greece.
While all flight operations projects are essential to the development and success of Boeing Rotorcraft programs, the AH-64 Block III Testing is at an extremely critical stage. Late in the fall of 2009, we will train U.S. Army Apache air crews as user pilots and the two avionics prototype Apache Block III aircraft and the Unmanned Little Bird will transition back to Yuma for the much anticipated Apache Block III Limited Users Test or LUT.
The LUT determines whether or not the avionics technology changes to the Apache enhance the users ability to complete assigned missions as specified in the program design. A successful LUT leads then to a positive Milestone C decision approving entry into Low Rate Initial Production for the Apache Block III program and ultimately to a full production schedule for an anticipated 634 U.S. Army Apache Block III helicopters.
Mike Goettings Photo
Boeing Rotorcraft Test pilots perform complex test flight maneuvers on the many helicopter platforms produced for delivery to customers world wide. From experimental tests to production customer acceptance tests, this team works in all weather conditions to ensure product integrity.
The planned enhancements to the aircraft include a new drive train which increases power by more than 20 percent; a new avionics management – known as Open Systems Architecture – which partitions critical functions by software instead of by hardware and allows easier upgrades in the future; full control of a variety of Unmanned Aerial Systems; an upgraded Longbow Radar Electronics Unit; and redesigned cockpit controls which simplify tasks and improve the ability of the aircraft to operate day and night and in any weather.
It's exciting to be a part of getting new capabilities into the hands of our customers. Rotorcraft Flight Operations is enjoying outstanding success and is exceptionally busy working on numerous interesting programs. The Apache Block III path forward is exhilarating – soldier aviators are sure to be amazed by the performance and capabilities this helicopter will deliver.
Mike Goettings Photo
Mike Goettings Photo