AFA helps 436 AMXS keep tools on the flightline

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A team of U.S. Air Force Academy faculty and cadets recently assisted the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in determining safety standards on the year-old Launch and Recovery point-of-use trailers.

Through research and testing, the Air Force Academy team determined the maximum wind speeds the trailers could safely withstand on the flightline.

"This project is typical of the applied aeronautics efforts we undertake for a range of customers, including NASA, Department of Defense agencies, commercial partners, and Air Force research and operational commands," said Tom McLaughlin, Air Force Academy research professor of aeronautics.

Tim Hayden, an engineer at the Air Force Academy, designed miniature wooden models of the trailers using a computer-aided-design drawing and then a computer-controlled mill to create the mini-trailers. Each model required nearly 30 hours to create.

Once the models were created, a team of cadets and faculty were formed to find out how much wind force was needed to have an effect on the trailers.

"We strive to prepare our cadets for careers as officers and engineers," said Mr. McLaughlin. "We believe the best way to prepare them is to involve them in 'real-world' engineering problems that are current and important to our research customers, such as at the 436th AMXS."

Once the models were fabricated, the team placed them in the wind tunnel and measured the aerodynamic forces produced, said Mr. McLaughlin. The engineering team found that the model did not move until 60 knots of wind pressure was generated. Currently, the POU trailers are removed from the flightline for winds in excess of 35 knots.

"The results from the AFA study will allow us to keep the trailers on the flightline nearly year round. In doing so, this will help the mechanics work more efficiently and ultimately aid in increasing our C-5 Mission Capable and Home Station Logistics Departure Reliability rates" said 1st Lt. Daniel Martin, 436th AMXS Support Flight OIC. "Effectively utilizing these Launch and Recovery Trailers, results in less travel time to and from Composite Tool Kits for the mechanic and in return creates more hands-on time at the job site."

While we have other projects with NASA and the Air Force Special Operations Command, projects like the Dover trailer are sought after by cadets because they address current operational issues, said Mr. McLaughlin. "It is very motivational and a source of immense pride for a student to address a current issue such as this."