We actually become 152H's ...I believe 152F was for the A model.

I stand corrected.

quote:

Originally posted by NunezFlyer:
Hey man, any info is better than no info at all. BTW, I agree that the Cobra looks better, but I also think that the Huey is a real man's helicopter too. Nothing like the "Whoop Whoop Whoop" sound to wake you up in the morning.

What how you going to jump ship so fast? ATTACK

quote:

Originally posted by soldier_51:

quote:

Originally posted by NunezFlyer:
Hey man, any info is better than no info at all. BTW, I agree that the Cobra looks better, but I also think that the Huey is a real man's helicopter too. Nothing like the "Whoop Whoop Whoop" sound to wake you up in the morning.

What how you going to jump ship so fast? ATTACK

Aww man, and here I thought that I just appreciated old helicopters. Since I like the A-10 as well, does that mean that I'm going to jump service and join the Air Force reserve?

quote:

Originally posted by NunezFlyer:

quote:

Originally posted by soldier_51:

quote:

Originally posted by NunezFlyer:
Hey man, any info is better than no info at all. BTW, I agree that the Cobra looks better, but I also think that the Huey is a real man's helicopter too. Nothing like the "Whoop Whoop Whoop" sound to wake you up in the morning.

What how you going to jump ship so fast? ATTACK

Aww man, and here I thought that I just appreciated old helicopters. Since I like the A-10 as well, does that mean that I'm going to jump service and join the Air Force reserve?

off you go, into the wild blue yonder.

Hi guys, allow me introduce Apache Readiness Improvement Program (ARIP) List Server if it hasn't been already.

The mission of this list is to provide the Apache helicopter maintainer a forum to discuss maintenance and logistics issues, lessons learned, ask questions or post important information. There are presently over 700 members, all associated in some way to Apache maintenance, ready to help. There are representatives from the Apache Program Manager’s Office (The “Apache PM”) AMCOM, TACOM, CECOM, IMMC (airframe items managers, tech pubs, sustainment, LARS, etc.) the engineering community (Apache systems, maintenance engineering, propulsion, etc all the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) reps (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, etc) and many, more folks all standing by to answer your questions.

Most importantly, there are members of the green suit maintenance community. Maintainers from almost every unit that keep this aircraft flying. Maintenance test pilots, crew-chiefs, armament folks, technical inspectors, etc. They are the focus and audience of this list. They are the reason this list was created and exists today. And we need more! Tell a friend and pass on this resource. Bottom line is this is THEIR list. Everyone else is a guest.

If you would like to join, please send me a message and I will send you the email of our BAMO officer who will add you to the list.

I think every Apache Guy loves the A-10. Something about a flying guy though. I love things that go boom. Guess that is why I am ARMT. Oh and out pilots may not be able to read and such but that is why ARMT is there to brake stuff and figure it out before anyone knows.

quote:

I think every Apache Guy loves the A-10. Something about a flying guy though. I love things that go boom. Guess that is why I am ARMT. Oh and out pilots may not be able to read and such but that is why ARMT is there to brake stuff and figure it out before anyone knows.

-5 spelling
-10 punctuation
-5 verb subject agreement

quote:

Originally posted by tankkllr:
I'm afraid I flew Apaches when they were "new" and most of us were complaining that it wasn't as cool looking as the Cobra. It didn't matter that the Apache out performed the AH-1 in every other facet of operation. It just mattered that the AH-1 we had all flown looked cooler.

So I certainly can't add to much of the present Apache info but if you need info on the A, B,B+, and C models let me know.

There is one facet of operation where the Cobra outperformed the Apache, at least when the Apaches were new, that was the Flight Time:Ground Time ratio. But heck, it was y'all's job to break them and our job to fix them. MOS: 67Y20 & 67R20 (I have dated myself now)

I am ARMT too, and no we don't break stuff, we fix it. And no, not all Apache guys like the A-10, not this guy... SEMPER VIPER...

Well us Brit AH drivers have alot of time for the A10s.
What I am interested in though is your current retention schemes.
We don't have one as yet but the brit government is looking into it.

AH-64: On Budget and On Schedule

LINK


--[excerpt]--

Military acquisition is broken, crumbling, spastic — pick whatever term you wish but the experts all say that many Pentagon programs are over budget and behind schedule.

As the Government Accountability Office said in its recent report to the Senate Armed Services Committee: “Systemic problems both at the strategic and at the program level underlie cost growth and schedule delays. At the strategic level, DOD’s processes for identifying warfighter needs, allocating resources, and developing and procuring weapon systems-which together define DOD’s overall weapon system investment strategy-are fragmented and broken. At the program level, weapon system programs are initiated without sufficient knowledge about system requirements, technology, and design maturity.”

So when the good folks at Boeing held a briefing today on the Apache helicopter Block 3 upgrade, I was prepared to hear excuses, rationales and papering-overing. What I got was simple and a delight to hear. This program is on budget and on schedule. It is meeting its Key Performance Parameters with room to spare, according to Boeing’s VP for Apache programs, Al Winn. “So far, it’s a very successful program,” Winn said.

The Block 3 improvements are pretty fundamental, requiring a new airframe, more than 1 million lines of code, a new transmission system, longer range and automatic recognition radar, UAV connectivity, the ability to communicate with a much wider range of platforms (but not stealthy aircraft), software that will help the air crew make rapid decisions and a host maintenance management systems that are expected to reduce the average flight hours lost to fixing and maintaining things by 30 percent.

Basically, they are rebuilding the existing 634 strong Apache fleet. So I asked Winn what had kept them on track, what management tips could he offer the beleaguered acquisition corps. After jokingly claiming that it was all due to (his) brilliant leadership, he gave the usual answer about a great team. Then we got down to brass tacks. The program was able to rein in the requirements people.

------

Boeing, U.S. Army Celebrate 1st Flight of AH-64D Apache Block III Helicopter

(Source: Boeing Co.; issued July 11, 2008)

ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company, U.S. Army leaders, supplier representatives and other guests celebrated the first flight of the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter this week in Mesa, Ariz. Just prior to a ceremony attended by more than 300 people at the company's Apache production facility, the aircraft was flown by two Apache-rated aviators -- U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody and an Army experimental test pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rucie Moore.

"This milestone is a testament to the tremendous team effort of Team Apache -- the U.S. Army, our worldwide industry suppliers and Boeing," said Al Winn, Boeing vice president of Apache Programs. "The technologies incorporated into the Block III helicopter come from a cross-section of the best of industry."

Experimental test pilots -- one U.S. Army soldier and one Boeing teammate -- initially flew this Block III prototype aircraft over the Arizona desert on June 27 in preparation for today's ceremony, which commemorates the success of engineers, production teams and program managers in keeping the Apache Block III program on time and on budget.

Ensuring the continued relevance of this rotorcraft platform for the warfighter, Apache Block III technologies deliver network-centric communications capabilities, extended ranges for sensors and weapons, unmanned aerial systems connectivity and control, and enhanced aircraft performance. The Block III technologies have been successfully tested and matured through a planned process of continuous modernization used since the delivery of the first AH-64A model to the U.S. Army in January 1984 and throughout the deliveries of AH-64A Apaches and AH-64D Apache Longbows to the Army and the defense forces of 10 nations around the world.

"Built upon a legacy of success, the Apache Block III will deliver mission-critical performance capabilities to U.S. Army aviators, facilitating successful operations across the spectrum of conflict," U.S. Army Apache Project Manager Col. Derek Paquette said to Boeing teammates who worked to build the helicopter.

The Army awarded Boeing the first Apache Block III contract in June 2005. In accordance with contractual milestones, Boeing plans to begin Low Rate Initial Production in April 2010 and to deliver the first production AH-64D Apache Block III in June 2011.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sgt_Schlappy,

This may be a little off topic, given the previous posts. Does anyone know what the percentages of the different airframes active in the army? I.E. I've heard the UH-60 comprises about 60% of the rotary wing fleet.

I am shipping out on Sept 18th to begin the initial phases of my WOFT program. I am just curious how many AH-64 slots there are for the taking. I'm determined to "kick-ass and take names" throughout IERW and the rest of the training, I just really want to fly an apache!

Thanks

Go right ahead and kick that ass. You can make a 70% all the way through IERW and find yourself in a 60 or 64.
Only the best!!

i was under the impression that aircraft assignments were based on test scores and IP recomendation, is that not true?

Also i saw another guy ask about the life of a 64 pilot in garrison and deployed but didnt really get an answer, does anyone have anything more on the life of an apache pilot

quote:

Originally posted by Fister20:
does anyone have anything more on the life of an apache pilot

This is my typical day as an Apache Pilot:

0500: Wake up, sign my first autograph.

0600: PT

0700: Done with PT, try to fight off the ladies to no such luck.

0900: Go to work, get my first cup of coffee.

0915: Laugh at all the other A/C pilots wanting to be a gun pilot.

1000: Another round of signing autographs

1100: Off to lunch

1300: Come back from lunch, check the mail, take my first W.O.M.A.N.

1400: Pre-flight

1500: Done with preflight, get a Chicken Cheesy from the ASB (American Snack Bar)

1600: Call off flight due to WX, head to the Senior Leaders Lounge

0200: call it a night, start cycle again.

That's a day in the life of a gun pilot in Garrison.

What is the maximum height (and weight?) allowed to fly the Apache?

Not 100% on this wocwannabe but I think the limits are similar to the across the board ones for army aviation: not taller than 6' 7", and/or heavier than 250lbs. I personally do not know any Apache pilots that tall (close though), but I do know several that exceed that 250 (although they might deny it). The schedule aforementioned of a gun driver can wear and tear on ones system if they are not keeping up the airframe specific minimum PT requirements of being able to benchpress 450 lbs (or have a good story about the time they did) and drive around the flight line twice in a cushman in under ten minutes.

quote:

Originally posted by NunezFlyer:

quote:

Originally posted by submariner737:
Nunez- what's the average time to complete the 64 course once you start?

BWAAAAhaahahhahaahha......Good luck trying to finish it in 6 months. On average it takes about 7-9 months. It took us 8 months and we flew constantly. Now I hear that there's even more of a back up than there ever was. You'll get through (if you study and pay attention), it'll just take a while. They dont make WO1 Apache Pilots anymore, if you are a W1, you'd be a "senior" WOJG. Make the best of it, eventually you'll get out of Mother Rucker.

Good luck

Just selected Apaches. Standby to laugh. 10 month hold until class up. I'll be a CW9 before leaving Rucker.