CH-53

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[edit] Checking into the Squadron

In order to begin your life as a RAC (Replacement Aircrew), you may need to get an endorsement from the MAG. Read your orders. If they say to report to the MAG CO, then you will need an endorsement from their S-1 before heading to the squadron. We are currently attached administratively to MAG-26. Their S-1 is located on the first deck of Building AS217. You should be dressed in Service Alphas and bring your OQR, Original Orders, and Web Orders. After receipt of the paperwork, you will be able to check-in at the squadron in Building AS4100. If your orders say to report to the HMT 302 CO, then go directly to the squadron. Ensure you have all of the items you need for check-in. In order to get through the flightline turnstile, you will either need to call the SDO/ODO at 910-449-6024 or have your ID activated by PMO. The squadron administrative offices are on the second deck of the hangar. Try to meet with the Student Control Officer in S-3. If he is not available, have one of the Lieutenants show you to S-1. S-1 will endorse your orders and give you a check-in sheet. Your priorities should be to schedule meetings with the CO and XO, complete your NMCI paperwork, and submit your travel claim with IPAC. Other considerations should be to get your NATOPS and PCL from Safety (DSS) and books/Computer Based Training (CBT) login at MATSS in Building AS318. You will typically get between 3-5 working days to complete check-in. Give your check-in sheet back to S-1 when finished.

[edit] Early Life in the Squadron

  • CBTs - Depending on the availability of the simulators, you will typically get 1-2 weeks to complete CBTs. These are located on the second deck of the MATSS building. You are required to complete all 17 systems CBTs prior to your first sim. It is a good idea to start the CBTs during your check-in week when you do not have any other responsibilities.
  • Ground School - You will take a systems ground class prior to flying in the aircraft. This class is only offered once a month. Therefore, you may have already started the sims by the time this class starts. There will be a Course Rules and CRM Ground Class scheduled for you prior to your FAM-0.
  • Ground Job - The XO will assign you a ground job during your initial meeting with him. Your shop head should give you enough time to complete your check-in. However, some jobs require quite a bit more training and time. Report to your shop immediately after notification of your assignment. The other RACs in the office should be able to tell you if it would be in your best interest to start early. Turn over is fast and you may be doing yourself a disservice by taking longer to check-in then absolutely necessary. Avoid working in DSS unless you like massive amounts of paper work.
  • Operations Duty Officer (ODO) - If you are not selected as a schedule writer, you will be trained and scheduled to stand ODO. There is always an ODO present when there is a flight schedule underway. As the ODO, you will be responsible for monitoring and tracking the current day's flight schedule, administering the ODO flight briefs, track weather, coordinate with maintenance, provide duty phone watch, provide range updates, make coffee, etc. You will be given a class and stand two training shifts prior to being placed on the schedule. Expect to start training soon after check-in. Officially you can be scheduled for the duty at any time. However, you will typically not be scheduled for this duty after completion of the sims.
  • Squadron Duty Officer (SDO) - The SDO is the direct representative of the CO during non-working hours. The Lieutenants are responsible for duty on Friday-Sunday and SNCOs are responsible for Monday-Thursday. If there is a holiday in the month after your arrival, expect to be scheduled to stand one of those days.
  • All Officer Meetings (AOM) - As new RACs, you will be expected to tell a joke at the first AOM. Be prepared to tell it when you introduce yourself.
=The Bull and the Cow=
  • The Bull is the senior RAC on deck. He/she serves as a sounding board for the LPA (Lieutenant Protection Association) as well as wearing an outstanding helmet. If you have any questions or problems, then let him/her know.
  • The Cow is the newest/shortest RAC on deck. The Cow is responsible for the Dice Cup. The cup is to be at all officer functions and is not to be handled by any non-LPA member without Cow authorization.

[edit] "Stimulators"

There are seven familiarization sims (100-106), five instrument sims (130-134), one navigation sim (140), one formation sim (150), and two NVG sims (107&160) for a total of 16. You will finish all but the NVG sims prior to your FAM-0. The NVG sims will be scheduled sometime around FAM 113 to FAM 115, depending on the next Highlight night schedule. The sim events are 2.0 hours and in full visual trainers with civilian contracted instructors (similar to Whiting). Unless the sims are full, we typically have practice sim slots available. However, it is your responsibility to tell the sked writers that you want to be scheduled for them. In addition, the sim instructors like to have RACs sit right seat for other RACs who are in the sim for their event code. This is an excellent opportunity to learn switchology, nomenclature, and instructor tendencies. It is never too early to get into the sim. If you get here one day and are in the sim the next, you will learn something and it will help you for later events.

[edit] FAM-0

During sims, you are expected to prepare for your FAM-0. It is basically the same type of event as you had in primary and advanced. However, the helicopter weighs about 35,000 pounds more and the systems are quite a bit more complex. There should be a RAC in S-3 who will help you ensure that everything is scheduled and completed prior to being put on the flight schedule. Ensure you call or talk to the instructor the day/night prior. The following items need to be completed prior to the IP FAM-0:

  • CRM Ground Class - This is coordinated through DSS and should have already been scheduled for you.
  • Course Rules Class and Exam - The class should have been scheduled for you or you got the information during ground school. In either case, you still need to take the exam. The Exam is open book and administered through DSS. The Airport Operations Manual (AOM), like the RWOP, is in the Ready Room. Hint: Check your answers in the back of the book.
  • EP Exam - This is a closed book exam administered by DSS. You are only responsible for the memory items and some numbers associated with the notes, warnings, and cautions.
  • Limits Exam - This is a closed book exam administered by DSS. It is about five pages of questions asking numbers from various systems. Get with a flying RAC to get some advice on what to study. There are some random numbers on the test that you may not think about or know were to find.
  • Lesson 2 of the Pilot CBTs - These CBTs include Weight and Power computations, preflight, briefs, starts, taxi, etc.
  • Weight and Power - There are instructions in the Flight Planning Room, however have another RAC or IP walk you through it. You should eventually be proficiant enough to be able to do the weight and power without reference to the instructions. During advanced flights, some instructors will have you redo it on your kneeboard with your PCL.
  • Camp Lejeune Special Chart - This chart is available in the Flight Planning Room. You need to CHUM it properly and have course rules inked on the chart. It should also be laminated. There is a machine in the RAC study room. Look at another RACs as an example or ask an outgoing RAC if you can have theirs.
  • Up-Chit - Ensure your up-chit has been turned in to DSS. This should have been done around check-in or after your annual flight physical.
  • RAC Walkaround - Find a FAM 115 complete RAC to walk you through a preflight. It is best to find a RAC who is close to completion (REV 190 or CSIX 191).
  • Crew Chief Walkaround - This will be scheduled for you by S-3 through the Crew Chief Instructor Division (CCID). A Crew Chief will walk you through a preflight. This will typically be done as pairs of RACs.

[edit] Flights

You will fly FAM 110 through 114 one at a time. After FAM 114 you can be doubled for any other combination of flights. After you are FAM 115 complete, you can be put on the schedule as a co-pilot for Functional Check Flights. There is no specific order of flights after FAM 115. The list of flights below is generally the approximate time to expect them. All unaided night and Night Systems (NS) flights are flown during Highlight conditions. Your ability to complete the program quickly is, in some part, dependent upon the opportunity to fly during Highlight conditions.

[edit] The Fleet

Prepare for a varied experience based on what coast and which squadron you get assigned to.

East Coast: Hope that you enjoy "mando" fun every weekend. East coast squadrons are 464 and 461 at New River and 366 in Cherry Point. Study up on your limits or you will be dominated!

West Coast: There are four CH-53E Squadrons you could be assigned to; 361, 462, 465, or 466. So what can you expect? Expect the same check in process as HMT-302 only without the time off from your ground job. The flying will be a LOT better than it was back at New River with terrain that you can actually conduct TERF in and transit times of approximately an hour each way to and from the training areas. Simulator time on the west coast is also more available and you will have every opportunity to improve your skills there. There are significant differences between the west coast squadrons which will be very apparent when you check-in.

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