The Apache Helicopter is specifically designed to withstand adverse kinds of weather at anytime of the day.
All its sides are highly armored and according to Boeing, each part of the Apache can resist 12.7-mm rounds, and vital engine and rotor components can survive hits from 23-mm fire.
AH-64 Apache is twin-engine and four-bladed aircraft which characterized its remarkable agility and evasion tactics.
Specifically designed with highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform that is great for multi-mission attacks.
It can load up to 16 HELLFIRE (Helicopter-Launched, Laser-guided, Fire and Forget) laser guided missiles and can also carry a maximum of 76, 70mm/2.75" wrap-around fin aerial rockets (WAFAR) specially great for destroying enemies' light armor vehicles and other soft skinned targets.
Apache has four articulating weapons pylons, two on either side of the aircraft, on which weapons or external fuel tanks can be mounted.
It is definitely accurate in hitting targets particularly the latest version AH-64D Apache Longbow which is said to be 400 times accurate than the AH-64A Apache. It uses a Laser Range Finder/Designator (LRF/D) for assigning the HELLFIRE missile system and also for providing range to target information needed in the fire control computer's calculations of ballistic solutions.
Apache is equipped with onboard video recorder that can record up to 72 minutes of either the pilot or CPG selected video. Not only that, its navigation equipment has a doppler navigation system, and like most aircraft it is set with a GPS receiver.
With its many capabilities and unique combat features, undeniably, the AH-64 Apache is the army's primary attack helicopter.
About the Author
Learn the latest information regarding the revolutionary AH-64 Apache. Click here>>Apache Helicopter
how to be an attack helicopter pilot?
Im 16 have a junior have a 3.6 GPA and in good physical shape i want to know 1. What is the differnce between army navy air force and marine attack helicopter pilots. 2. how to be a pilot and 3. Are there any grades/physical demands to be a pilot
Thanks for any info
Most helicopter pilots are marines and you have to be an officer, which means going to college before you enlist. It is tough to get in and even tougher to make it through training. Good luck!
Located at Annapolis, Maryland, on the banks of Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay, an entity of high standard takes responsibility of producing the nations smartest naval officers of international repute. The United States naval Academy (USNA) is an undergraduate institution for the purposes of education of the student officers of the Navy and The Marine Corps. It is also called as "The Boat School", "Canoe-U", "The Yard", and "The Shipwreck Tech".
Ex Scientia tridens – Latin for From" Knowledge, Sea power "is the Academys Motto. The Academy also stands by and keeps up the Honor, courage and commitment. It also firmly believes in 'Excelling without Arrogance".
The Naval Academy was established in the year 1845 and shares more or less the same history as the Nation itself. Moral and ethical issues and developing the incumbent midshipmen with these values is one of the primary responsibilities for the Naval Academy. From the sail and steam-powered ship era to Nuclear Subs and Supersonic aircraft, the Navy has come a long way and the Naval Academy today, takes up the onus of preparing young American men and women to become established naval officers and marine officers. It is, however, a competitive endeavor to be able to secure a place at The Naval Academy.
The students in the academy are referred to as Midshipmen and they learn to take orders from practically everyone in the system, however they also learn to make decisions which can affect all their peers at the academy. Upon graduation the midshipmen are commissioned and listed as ensigns in the U.S Navy or as Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and must be in the service for a minimum of five years just like the U.S Army cadets.
The Midshipmen, during their course of education and study – which is really a mix of arts and sciences – also take part in a lot of extra curricular and physical activities, an important mix of educational elements all geared to prepare the midshipmen intellectually, physically and morally. Though there is no graduate school directly associated with the naval Academy, there is a Naval Postgraduate College and a naval preparatory school for the midshipmen.
The U.S Academy carries a mission to develop midshipmen to the highest exacting standards as is expected from a commissioned officer, developing them to morally, ethically imbibing in them virtues of honor, respect, integrity and loyalty and prepare them to take on the responsibility of being able to take command and be of service to the government and the country.
Did you ever wonder who has the capability of dropping a virus in Electronic Voting Machines? Could it happen?
Diebold makes the voting machines in this country, and Brazil.
Why did this happen, what's up with this:
United Tech Offers $2.63B for Diebold
By STEPHEN SINGER,AP
Posted: 2008-03-02 19:35:29
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - United Technologies Corp., continuing to broaden its security business and expand its presence in China, said Sunday it has made an offer to buy Diebold Inc. for $2.63 billion.
United Technologies, parent company of jet engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Otis elevator and Sikorsky Aircraft, said it made the unsolicited offer Friday after trying to negotiate a deal with Diebold for two years.
Diebold, based in Canton, Ohio, makes ATMs, business security systems and voting machines.
Every one wonders if they cheat, I've heard that it's easy to steal an election this way. Why aren't these machines checked and double checked. There should be independent observers in every polling place to monitor all activities.
99 Achievements You May Have Overlooked (Not To Be Read All At Once)
Going into space!
Our achievements seem to pale into insignificance compared.
Compared?
Bad word.
Every achievement stands alone.
We can all list our achievements and believe they 'don't count,' if we compare them with being a successful astronaut.
The point is, there is no comparison. It's impossible to compare.
I asked my readers a question about achievements and one of them commented that
she had no achievements to be proud of,
and that made me sad.
As a result, I decided to compile this list of
99 Achievements You May Have Overlooked (Not To Be Read All At Once)
Each one has been achieved by a person I know, or know about, and some of mine are in there too.
1. You create a cottage style garden, from scratch.
2. You get out of bed in the morning when you're severely depressed.
3. You travel to London to work when you're blind.
4. You take up belly dancing again after a long break.
5. You undergo chemo when you're 6 years old.
6. You undergo chemo when you're 60 years old.
7. You choose breast reconstruction.
8. You choose not to have breast reconstruction.
9. You pass your driving test after 13 attempts.
10. You travel in a lift when you're claustrophobic.
11. You bring up your child alone.
12. You are a carer for a difficult elderly parent.
13. You give up a well paid job to care for your sick child.
14. You keep a 'gnome' on display in your garden, although you hate them, because it was a precious gift.
15. You become a regular hospital visitor.
16. You befriend a difficult neighbour.
17. You teach your teenage son how to budget.
18. You read Lord of the Rings without skipping any of it.
19. You produce a Bat-Man fancy dress costume with 2 hours notice.
20. You keep taking driving lessons although your hands leave damp patches on the steering wheel.
21. You lose 8 pounds in weight in time for your son's wedding.
22. You help a child to make cup-cakes without losing your patience.
23. You pay off your credit card.
24. You cut up your store cards.
25. You take a flight in a micro-lite, despite a fear ofenclosed spaces.
26. You go snorkelling despite a fear of deep water.
27. You go up a long spiral staircase to the top of an ancient Italian tower despite an acute fear of heights.
28. You leave your abusive partner after years of trying to do it.
29. You climb a proper mountain for the first time.
30. You give a talk to a large group of professionals in your field, despite your natural shyness.
31. You go on holiday abroad by yourself after recovering from agarophobia.
32. You walk a marathon with a friend for charity.
33. You walk through a field of cows despite your fear of them.
34. You go to adult swimming classes.
35. You have an article accepted by a national magazine.
36. You join a gym despite not liking exercise and go twice a week for 3 months.
37. You pick up an enormous spider without showing your fear to your husband who's petrified.
38. You give up alcohol for a month to show you can.
39. You drive on the motor way for the first time, despite your fears.
40. You take control and sort out your difficult housing situation.
41. You help an unemployed friend to update his CV and, as a result, he gets a job.
42. You leave your comfort zone and fly abroad for the first time.
43. You successfully learn to play golf so you can see more of your OH.
44. You cure yourself of your chocolate addiction (well, almost).
45. You visit a friend in Intensive Care despite feeling very scared.
46. You ask a child to teach you how to skateboard in the park.
47. You painstakingly research your family history back to 1700.
48. You go to the dentistfor the first timefor years.
49. You sign up to a writing class and discover a hidden talent.
50. You make jam for the first time and it sets!
51. You learn how to take excellent digital photos.
52. You apply for a part-time job, now that the children are at school, and you love it.
53. You go to assertiveness classes to help with bullying in the workplace.
54. You receive one of the largest'office leaving collections' ever.
55. You are a 'stubborn optimist' (you know who you are!) despite being on dialysis for ten years.
56. You are dyslexic and achieve your degree. You're considering a Ph D to follow.
57. You take a risk and climb into a helicopter... and fly!
58. You start a successful antique market stall with no previous experience.
59. You complete your promotion exam for the prison service despite being severely dyslexic.
60. You bravely decide to drop out of your uni course after a year of doubt and despair.
61. You choose not to wear a wig when your hair falls out after chemo.
62. You decide to travel abroad by yourself so you go off to China with 'Just You' (for solo travellers).
63. You undergo a 30 minute MRI scan despite your claustrophobia.
64. You adopt a mistreated cat from Cat Rescue.
65. You perform Karaoke at your daughter's party in front of a room full of strangers.
66. You sit with your father in hospital on his last day on this earth.
67. You go horse riding for the first time since childhood.
68. You achieve a 2.1 degree at 43 years old.
69. You jump in the deep end and take Copyblogger's 7 Link Challenge
70. You book up for piano lessons at 60.
71. You write your autobiography and have it published.
72. You travel to Canada to find your birth father.
73. You hand in your notice for the job you've been unhappy in for ages.
74. You take your cat to the vet knowing it's his last journey.
75. Youfinallylearn how to make a decent cup of tea for your fussy MIL, despite never drinking tea yourself.
76. You play the piano with your feet because you have no hands.
77. You handle an enormous python, to prove you're cured of your snake phobia.
78. You stand up for yourself against a bullying boss.
79. You sign up to take A-Level Art with your daughter at her college, and you get an 'A' .
80. You survive a stroke at 50 with great courage.
81. You learn how to make Christmas pudding and it's as good as his mum makes.
82. You bravely remove the heads and tails from a plate of prawns to conquer your squeamishness.
83. You decide to stop being a people pleaser and learn to say 'no' when you want to.
84. You decide to take control of your children's difficult behaviour and make a realistic plan to achieve it.
85. You set aside a whole day every week to be you and stick to it.
86.You make up your mind that you're not just a housewife.
87. You decide to stop harming yourself by pulling out your eyelashes. It's not easy but you achieve it.
88. You join an internet dating site with confidence.
89. You buy Dr Phil's Book, Life Strategies, and start to follow his brilliant advice
90. You press publish on your very first blog post, despite the butterflies.
91. You hold down a job you enjoy despite 4 hours daily commuting.
92. You speak up at a business meeting despite worrying that you'll look foolish.
93. You run a successful Parenting Course, overcoming your self-doubt.
94. You spend nearly a year writing a book, finally seeing it published.
95. You put your child's needs before your own, always.
96. You walk through a flurry of bees on the lavender path, although you're terrified of them.
97. You go into the anaesthetic room with your daughter without showing her your fears.
98. You decide to start a blog to show your readers that Positivity can be found all around us.
99. You complete writing/reading this list! Phew!
Still believe you have no achievements?
Right...
When you have a few hours to spare, write your own list.
I guarantee it will be a long one.
Why not add your most important achievement, in the comments?
About the Author
Writing is my passion. I love blogging and write about how to take a 'Positive Spin' on every day life. I encourage my readers to live life on the upside and to feel great about it!
I'm a Team Member on We Blog Better and write for the site every Wednesday. I also subscribe to the 'A-List Bloggers' club, aand have taken part in mentoring programes by Leo Babauta and Mary Jaksch.
I am a wistful, thoughtful person whio loves everything that money can't buy and who delights in noticing the small stuff that's so easy to miss.
My special field is Confidence and I'm writng a free e-book to give to subscribers and frequent commenters on 'Positive Spin'.
Can anyone tell me the basics of the Coast Guard?
So I've been looking at uscg.mil and I'm having some trouble finding the job that automatically comes to mind when I imagine the Coast Guard: driving around in small boats/jumping from helicopters and saving civilians. Does this exist?
I think I could be an officer. What is the most common specialty for Coast Guard Officers?
How do you become an officer, with no prior military experience? Could I use Navy ROTC?
What makes the Coast Guard different from the Navy, and why should I choose one over the other?
How are the promotion rates compared to Navy, Army or Air Force?
1) If you want to "drive around in small boats," "jump for helicopters," and "save civilians," you need to clone yourself so you can be a Boatswain's Mate as well as an Aviation Survival Technician.
2) Becoming an officer in the Coast Guard isn't that easy. There are roughly 8,000 of us, and it's excruciatingly competitive regardless of which path you go (e.g., Academy, OCS, Enlisted to Commissioned).
3) A lot of things make us different from the Navy, as we have significantly different missions. If you look around uscg.mil, there's plenty of good information, but the best information is the toll free number to get in touch with a recruiter.
4) Promotion (i.e., officers) and advancement (i.e., enlisted) rates vary year by year.
As with any vehicle, it is vital to keep an aircraft in peak working order to insure safety and efficiency while in flight. One of the main components of aircraft testing is frequent radome testing and repair.
The radome is one of the most vital structures of any aircraft. The radome is the nose cone of an aircraft, behind which the radar and other essential equipment lies. If the radome is damaged, this can lead to significant problems and danger issues for any aircraft.
It is vital for any airliner to have their aircraft's radome tested frequently. By complying with radome testing, aircraft companies can be sure to notice minor problems with the aircraft's radome and make essential repairs as a matter of urgency. Radome testing can save an aircraft company a lot of money in the long run as radome tests will spot minor problems which could become major dangers within a very short time.
One of the main problems aircraft radomes encounter is cracks to the structure. Not only can minor cracks develop into larger cracks very quickly, but also can let a significant amount of moisture to accumulate within the body of the radome. This can be extremely problematic as moisture within the radome can effect the radar system housed within. Moisture can cause major malfunctions with electronic based hardware and could ultimately result in a serious accident, if not discovered immediately.
Radome testing sites do test for cracks within the radome's composite and also for significant moisture levels within the radome's body. If cracks are discovered through radome test procedures, repairs can be made to the composite radome structure immediately. This will reduce the chance of continued moisture damage to occur while the aircraft is in flight.
Companies such as Applied Composite Engineering, based in Indianapolis, provide radome testing and repair for all sectors of the aviation industry. Their radome engineers are constantly educated with the latest radome testing and repair techniques to insure that all aircrafts they inspect are working to their absolute peak performance. Applied Composite Engineering work with companies such as AAR and Bell, as well as agencies such as NASA, to insure that their aircrafts are maintained and working in best order.
Brian Miller is an avid aircraft enthusiast.
Which Helicopter is better, Bell or Eurocopter? Especially in the area of cost of maintenance?
1. How do these two products compare in terms of cost of spares?
2. How many hours has products from these two companies have flown in total?
3. Are there any other peculiarities with respect to Bell & Eurocopter?
4. Is it true that Eurocopter tries to monopolise after sales services compared to Bell, who allows qualified MROs to handle their products?
Bikinibottom has a valid point - Depends on what model of helicopter you are asking about.
Now its not fair to compare a Eurocopter Super Puma to a Bell 206 Jet Ranger, so let's compare two similar aircraft - a Eurocopter AS350B3 and a Bell 407. Both of these aircraft have similar capabilities with respect to passenger load (6 plus pilot), hook capacity (around 2400 lbs max), and speed (125-135 knots) - and have been very good sellers around the world for a wide variety of purposes and customers.
1. In general, Bell's spares and components are cheaper than those from Eurocopter. Not everything, but in general.
2. The AS 350 series has flown far more hours than the 407, but the 407 has flown more hours than the B3. However the 206 series has probably flown more hours than all other helicopters combined. On top of that, Bell helicopters (including military versions) have flown more hours than all other companies combined.
3. Back to the B3/407 comparison, there are lots and lots and lots. If you are asking about cost of maintenance, the 407 is going to cost you less to maintain and burn a bit less fuel. But it is probably going to be easier to find parts for the B3, as many of them are in common with the rest of the 350 series - D, B, BA, B1, B2. There are less parts in common between the 407 and 206A/B/L series than the AS350 series. Bell has a much better support capability all over the world except maybe in France.
4. Absolutely. Other than Acro, Eurocopter has not authorized any third party companies to overhaul their transmissions and engines. That means its going to cost you almost twice as much per hour to operate a B3 engine or transmission as a 407 engine or transmission. Not to mention turn around time and parts availability.
In general, both the 407 and B3 are great aircraft; I've flown both. If I was the pilot, I'd take a B3 over a 407 by a small margin; the B3 is a little more comfortable to fly - a little quieter, less vibration, more room, better seats, better visibility, and I sure like being able to store your maps, lunch, and a bottle of water under the seat. Plus you don't have to take the door off for vertical reference work as you can see through the floor window - a great bonus in nasty weather!
In the B3 when you go to the 6 pax configuration ("love seat") it is not very comfortable for the passengers. But then you have to weigh that against two pax sitting backwards in the 407, plus the "broom closet" which makes rear seat visibility so bad.
If you factor in operating costs and reliability from an owner's perspective, I'd take the 407 - again by a small margin.
If you compare the Bell 206 Jet Ranger to the Eurocopter 120 (and I've flown both of those as well), the Bell wins hands down when it comes to a maintenance cost perspective. The 120 is faster, lifts more, has more cargo capacity, and is way more comfortable for both the pilot and the passengers, but your question seems to be focused on maintenance only.
Now Bell and several others are converting the proven Bell 212 airframe to a single engine version. I haven't had the chance to be around these yet, but I believe they are looking at PT6 and RR engines. The maintenance cost on those is probably going to compete with the B3 and give you double the useful load, plus get rid of all the problems we've had with the PT6T and the C-box! That's going to be a sweet machine!
Every pilot knows that the most important part of any flight is the pre-flight inspection. If you are going to cruise at high speeds thousands of feet in the air you want to make sure that your aircraft is indeed airworthy and will not fall apart. If it does, you cannot simply pull over and call AAA and it is a long way down.
It is hard to inspect all parts of the aircraft, for instance the engine compartment, as it is covered up the cowling, it would be wise to make the aircraft cowlings out of transparent Carbon Nano Tube construction. There are endless applications for carbon nano tubes due to their strength and abilities to conduct electricity. In fact due to their lightweight, strength, transparency and ability to hold a charge the uses are truly endless indeed. One excellent use for transparent carbon nano tubes would be to make aircraft wings, windscreens and cowlings out of them for easy inspection and insurance that the engine is in good shape, no oil leaks, cracked manifolds or motor mount bolts lose or broken. It would be nice too if the valve covers were made out of carbon nano tube construction also.
If transparent valve covers were used there would be engines showing longer life and better lubrication equates to less friction, which means better fuel mileage. Since valve covers are already on every reciprocating aircraft engine, it would be easy to replace all those valve covers with carbon nano tube covers to increase longevity of the motor, insure proper lubrication and increase performance and fuel economy. This also means less pollution in our air for all the Global Warming Alarmists out there.
If windscreens were made out of carbon nano tubes, bird strikes on the canopy or windshield would be irrelevant, as it is much stronger than Plexiglas and not brittle like regular glass, but equally as transparent.
If wings were made out of carbon nano tubes you could insure the structural integrity of the wings and save thousands of dollars on Annual Inspections and improve visibility from high-wing, low-wing type midair collisions of private aircraft. Definite safety prevention issues.
In the future carbon nano tube construction will be easy and all light aircraft will have some nano tube parts. Additionally those who did not want transparency in their aircraft in certain parts could opt for opaque parts, which when hit with a certain frequency from an airframe inspection A & P mechanic or AI to sign it off; would set the machine to make it transparent for them to have a look see without charging you to take them off and re-install simply to check and see if everything is okay. Transparent carbon nano tubes for aircraft parts will be commonplace by 2028, bet me! Composite is great, but the combination will be even greater. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
helicopter view/birds eye view of tsunami?
do you know where i can get any pictures (birds eye view/helicopter view) of the boxing day tsunami?
there are more pictures of the aftermath....(oh, I did find this one...it's unbelieveable!)
no one knew it was coming to be ready to take pictures of it while it was happening... only videos and those by folks who were trying to save themselves at the same time.....
US $6.00
