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Posted on July 30, 2007
NAVAIR Patuxent River is Responsible for Delivering the Next Generation Presidential Helicopter
By CAPT Dean Peters, USN, VH-71 Government Flight Test Director
YEOVIL, UNITED KINGDOM (July 30, 2007) – Completing its first official test flight, the next presidential helicopter, the VH-71, creates another memorable experience for yet another Marine pilot as the journey begins for this aircraft's future operational employment by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Maj. Rich Marigliano, USMC, recently joined AgustaWestland test pilot Dick Trueman and Flight Test Engineers Clive Bowditch and Richard Parkes in performing the initial trials on the first true VH-71 test vehicle, TV-2, to come out of AgustaWestland’s Yeovil, England production facility, seven days after its maiden flight.
“I have been with this program for over two years and it was great to see the efforts of so many different organizations coming together to start the official testing on TV-2. The aircraft flew great and the test team was able to collect a large set of data,” said Maj. Rich Marigliano, USMC, VH-71 test pilot and ITT Operations Officer. “I look forward to continuing to work with such a wide spectrum of professional pilots, engineers and managers from all the contributing organizations.”
With the completion of the acceptance test procedure the week prior, the test program for TV-2 began with approximately 40 flights and 800 test points. These initial test flights will establish the aircraft’s un-instrumented flight clearance and baseline avionics checkout.
The first phase of flight testing is complete and the aircraft is currently in a modification and instrumentation retrofit period that will last until mid-September.
Upon completion of the retrofit period, flight testing will continue for approximately four weeks prior to final preparations and shipment to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, Md. in the late fall timeframe.
The VH-71 Integrated Test Team, formed to support the Presidential Helicopters Program Office, consists of government and industry personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ONE, HX-21, Marine Helicopter Squadron One, HMX-1, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego, Bell Helicopter, and AgustaWestland.
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/6203.shtml
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Photo left to right: Mr. Clive Bowditch, Mr. Dick Trueman, Major Rich Marigliano, USMC, Mr. Richard Parker. Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland.
Posted : 2007-07-30 14:29
Next Generation
Personally, I honestly believe that our President should be riding in an All American Chopper. This new age chopper might be as good as ours, but I don't think so. We have the engineers and factories to develop one just as good if not better.
I know that we don't have anything to say about it, don't set policy or trying to maintain foreign relations. I truly believe in buying American. Keep our workers employed.
Then again who am I, just another American with an opinion. I have that Right.
Posted : 2007-07-30 16:57
American Made
Sadly, Sam, our companies made an effort to supply the next round of Presidential Helos. Because they (Sikorsky) had such insight as to actual cost and needed provisions in the process, they weren't as competitive as they might've been, we have been led to believe. Could they have "sharpened their pencils" a bit and won the bid? Again, sadly, we'll never know. I know that these folks have already had major cost overuns and who knows how that will wash out? My guess is that they will pass it ALL along to you and me, the taxpayer and that the powers that be will wind up approving it all!.
By the way, I finished your book, and enjoyed it very much. Good job. May give me the impetus to get mine back in gear, before I FORGET anything else! LOL!;)
Posted : 2007-07-31 06:53
All American Choppers
I am sure I am Biased having been with Sikorsky in the Corp & after the Corp. I am in the opinion with Joe about a better product in the contest could have been possible by Sikorsky. I remember Sikorsky when they were lean & hungry back as far as early 1951 when I was at the Bridgeport Factory. Igor & family was in charge in those days. We were very competitive up through the winning of the Blackhawk Program. What I noticed was the old gang was promoted through the ranks up until those later years. Than "Talent?" was brought in from all kinds of outside Companies into the top ranks. The cubicles multiplied along with the self advancing know little individuals much like what has happened in our Government. Sometimes growth & success ruins a good organization. I am very sad about this transition in place for HMX-1
Posted : 2007-07-31 16:55
Next Generation
Question - No matter how friendly a foreign government is - The airframe is one thing, but who is in charge of the security measures for this chopper? The black boxes and ultra sensitive electronics that insures the safety of the president are considered to be tip top secret for this country. Did we give that away too?:eek:
Posted : 2007-08-01 12:11
I too have worked on Sikorsky helicopters (S76) in the corporate world and wish Igor would have won the Presidential contract. The S92 couldn't preform like the 101, but I think it would have been the better pick. If there are problems with the 101 we'll never hear about them.
S/F
Tim
Posted : 2007-08-04 11:52
