Today was an interesting day at work.  We have a helicopter that is getting ready to go do some work for an upcoming movie.  I have no clue what the name will be, it is still in the production phase now. 

One of our Bell 212’s got the call.  It’s going to turn into a military bird for a few days.  This nice and red, white, and black paint scheme is going to turn into olive drab or some such military color. 

Check this out.  Our helicopter sets up high on tall landing gear.  That is so we can land out in the bush with less chance of running a stump into the belly.  Most working helicopters set high like this nowadays.  The movie scene calls for our helicopter to sit low to the ground, like the helicopters used way back in the Vietnam war.  Remember that conflict was the proving ground for this very machine.  The old Huey’s were the original version of the current 212’s.

Anyway, before I get sidetracked, we had to install a lower landing gear today.  This is a big project with no easy way through it.  We could have put our machine up on jacks to change the gear but that is time consuming.  Then we would have to find a way to get the jacks out once the helicopter sat lower.  The better way for us was to raise the machine from its gear, slide in the new gear, and then lower it down onto its new platform.

Several people were involved.  I stood back and watched to make sure no big issues happened while the guys changed things out.  I figured since I was watching I may as well take some pictures.  Enjoy!

This evolution went great.  We had no problems at all.  The machine looks funny now sitting so close to the ground.  Looks a lot like a low rider.  When the movie filming is done, we will reinstall the standard high gear.  Always something!

I would like to take a second to inform you of a sad happening last night.  A military plane that is based locally was practicing maneuvers at the airport.  The pilot entered a maneuver, had some type of issue, and was unable to recover.  The aircraft impacted the ground and all three lives were taken.  We looked up the road today.  There wasn’t much left of the machine. Please keep these airmen and their families in your prayers.

Aviation is an inherently dangerous business.  We do everything we can to minimize risk but accidents do happen. I have been fortunate throughout my career to have never lost a friend or coworker this way.  I have never had one of my machines lost due to faulty maintenance.  This is an industry where everyone must be on top of their game at all times.  I had big plans when I was younger.  I was going to be in management.  I was going to be a Director of Maintenance. I have one goal these days.  That goal is to make it to retirement without losing a friend or coworker due to my workmanship. 

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