All questions have been addressed.
"I served as a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter in the Army and also worked as a Flight Instructor, training Crew Chiefs and ensuring annual training was completed to maintain flight certifications.
All questions have been addressed.
"I served as a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter in the Army and also worked as a Flight Instructor, training Crew Chiefs and ensuring annual training was completed to maintain flight certifications.
A significant part of our role included acting as the eyes for the pilots, managing airspace obstacle avoidance, and communicating possible risks to them.
Training often involved flying in formation with 2 or 3 helicopters. It was essential to have visibility from the window, letting the pilots know the aircraft trailing behind was 'staggered right at 3 discs,' measured by rotor diameter.
After countless hours of experience, even with precise knowledge of a Blackhawk's position and using night vision goggles, spotting the aircraft at night remains incredibly challenging.
These helicopters are designed to be difficult to see after dusk. The red and green side lights blend into the city lights below, while the only top lights, known as 'slime lights,' emit an extremely dim green glow, making visibility tough.