Power loss over rough seas – USCG Rescue – SEMPER PARATUS

Power loss over rough seas.

Yes, I really do want to build an airplane!

Update on my fantasy to build an airplane. Yes, I really do want to. But first I need to decide what I can A) Fit into and B) Afford.

A) I am a big person. Always have been. Six foot eight or so. Some say you shrink as you age. I might be at 6’7″ or 6’7 3/4″ but anyway you put it. I am tall. With that I have long legs and big feet. Major considerations when you’re trying to fit in a little airplane. I learned to fly in a Cessna 150. Here is an example of a C-150 from Wikipedia:

It is a two seat 100hp airplane. When I appeared at the flight school the instructor said, “If you can fit in it, I can teach you to fly it”. 60 hours later and a bunch of dollars later I had a private license. Few years later I won my commercial and instrument ratings for airplanes. So I think I have the flying thing down. Just need to get into the airplane.

So size, my size and the airplane interior dimensions are a issue. The dimensions of the monetary commitment must also fit into my budget.

I have been looking at the RV-12 (see RV-12 – I wanna build an airplane) But that bird will cost me up to $40,000US. Ouch! That might break the bank. Not to mention my CFO (i.e. wife) wouldn’t be onboard with that. So, now I’m looking seriously into the Sonex line of homebuilt aircraft. Here is the Sonex – from Sonex Aircraft (www.sonexaircraft.com)

RV-12 – I Wanna Build an AIRPLANE!

Have I lost my mind? What – are you crazy?? You’ve never built anything substantial before. Okay, a picnic table and a swing set. But you did spill blood on both. Seems every time you pick up a power tool – it’s time to have the bandages and antiseptic ready. And now you’re thinking about building an AIRPLANE?? and then putting your butt in it and flying??

Yes – I have been wanting to for some time. And now the bug is bitten. I am thinking about an Van’s RV homebuilt. I would like to do an RV-7 but that’s a big investment. Van’s aircraft came out with a E-LSA (that’s Experimental-Light Sport Aircraft) kit. The RV-12. Looks really interesting and all the reading I have done to date on the kit says it is great for a first-timer. Hmmmm. Let’s see what happens. I need to do some more research first.

Click here for the RV-12 info.

And that’s a picture of an RV-12 above.

The Ditching of Pan Am Flight 943 – October 1956

There was a bunch of hoopla about the US Airways Flight 1549 ditching in the Hudson River recently.  The Captain and crew of that flight did an outstanding job as a team and demonstrated excellent airmanship.  That kind of performance only comes with a great crew, an effective leader, and everyone calling upon their training and experience to make the best of a situation.

As always the media jumped all over everything and botched it up for the most part.  I heard reports that this landing was unprecedented and never happened before.  Hogwash.  Not to take any of the regards and congratulations from the Flight 1549 but this event was not unprecedented.  In 1956 a Pan Am Clipper flight from Honolulu to San Francisco ditched in open ocean after multiple engine malfunctions.  The US Coast Guard Cutter Pontchartrain was on station at Ocean Station November.  The CGC Pontchartrain aided in the rescue of all 31 crew and passengers.  Again, I don’t want to detract from any of the kudos given recently to the Flight 1549  crew.  But I thought we should look at the Pan Am ditching and correct the masses and media that think this has never happened before.  Below is a video and textual account of the Pan Am Flight 943 ditching.

I served on board the USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70) in 1972-1973.  We pulled several Ocean Stations in the North Atlantic. (No picnic there folks)

On October 16, 1956, Pan American Flight 943, which was a four-engine Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, took off from Honolulu and headed northeast towards San Francisco, at 8:26pm, HST.

After passing PET (the point of equal time), Flight 943 was cleared to climb to an altitude of 21,000 ft, MSL. Almost simultaneously with leveling of at that altitude, the number 1 engine began to overspeed, as climb power was reduced to cruise power.

The First Officer, who was flying the plane, immediately reduced airspeed by further reducing power and by extending the flaps. He then made an attempt to feather the number 1 propeller. But, the propeller would not feather and the engine continued to turn at excessive RPMs. The captain then decided to cut off the oil supply to the engine. Eventually, the RPMs declined and then the engine seized. However, the propeller continued to windmill in the air stream, causing excessive parasite drag, which significantly increased the fuel consumption.

As a result, the plane was forced to fly much slower—-below 150 knots—-while it began to lose altitude at the rate of 1,000 feet per minute. Climb power was then added to the remaining three engines, in an attempt to slow that rate of descent. That is when number 4 engine began to fail. It was able to produce only partial power, at full throttle. At 0245 number 4 engine began to backfire and power then began to drop off. The number 4 propeller was feathered normally.

The crew calculated that with the additional drag, they no longer had sufficient fuel remaining, to reach San Francisco, or return to Honolulu. That left no other option, than to ditch the plane in the ocean.

During that era, the United States Coast Guard maintained a ship at a general location known as Ocean Station November, between Hawaii and the California coast. PAA Flight 943 was flown to that USCGC Pontchartrain’s location and then circled until daylight. That B-377 was finally able to level off at 2,000 feet MSL, with just the power of the two remaining engines. While waiting for daylight, fuel was burned off making the plane lighter, less flammable, and potentially more buoyant.

Captain Ogg had good reason to suspect that the Boeing 377’s tail section would break off, when it impacted the water. He instructed the purser to relocate all the rear-most passengers to positions as far forward as possible. The plan was to land near the USCG ship in full sunlight, to improve the likelihood of rescuing passengers. But, as the ocean waves were beginning to rise and swell, Captain Ogg decided he could wait no longer.

At 0540, Captain Ogg notified Pontchartrain that he was preparing to ditch. The cutter laid out a foam path for a best ditch heading of 315 degrees, to aid the captain’s vision of his actual height above the water. After a dry run, the plane touched down at 0615, with a minimal speed of 90 knots and full flaps, in sight of the Pontchartrain, at 30°01.5’N. 140°09’W.. The landing gear remained retracted,

One wing impacted a swell, causing the plane to rotate, inflicting damage to the nose section and breaking off the tail. Nevertheless, all 31 on board survived the ditching. Three life rafts were deployed by the crew and passengers that had been previously assigned to help. One life raft failed to fully inflate properly, but rescue boats from the cutter were able to promptly transfer the passengers from that raft. All were rescued by the Coast Guard before the last pieces of wreckage sank, at 0635.

There were only a few minor injuries, including an 18-month-old girl who was knocked unconscious, from a bump on her head. While some luggage and personal effects were picked up by the Coast Guard boats, it was not possible to save live dogs and birds, which were in the cargo holds.

Flight Crew
Captain Richard N. Ogg, age 43.
First Officer George L. Haaker, age 40.
Navigator Richard L. Brown, age 31.
Flight Engineer Frank Garcia Jr., age 30.
Purser Patricia Reynolds, age 30.
Stewardess Mary Ellen Daniel, age 24.
Stewardess Katherine S. Araki, age 23.

Click HERE to see the video account of this event

links.sfgate.com/ZFYJ

http://airlinesafety.com/editorials/DitchingOfPanAmFlight6.htm

USCG Patches – Just some of the units I served with

Found a few USCG Patches from some of the units I served with. I will keep on searching. I would like to find the patch for USCGC Pontchartrain, and USCCG Appalachee.

Here is the patch from Cape May Training Center – Boot Camp – I was in Company Charlie-83.

Boot Camp - Training Center

Next is the patch from CGSTA Cape May – Where I was first assigned from Boot Camp and only stayed there a couple of days.  I think it was 10.  At this station I was issued my very own “Coast Guard Cutter” (a lawn mower)

This is a newer patch.  It depicts a CG 41′ Patrol Boat – When I was there – we had a couple of 30 boats, a 40 boat and one 44 Foot MSB (Motor Surf Boat)  I did get to go out on patrols – but my major assignment was “yard gang” – a fancy word for gardener.  Well – you have to start somewhere…

I was issued my own "Coast Guard Cutter"

Next is the patch from USCGC Alert.  We’re going to skip ahead in time a bit now.  Until I find patches from other units I served on.  After the Boot Camp/Cape May gig I was PCS (permanent change of station) to the USCGC Appalachee in Baltimore Maryland.  Actually I was transferred to USCG Group Baltimore – and they needed a decky on the Appalachee – so there I went sea bag in hand.   A fresh faced 18 year old assigned to a real operational USCG Cutter.  While assigned to the ‘App – I applied for and was accepted at the Quartermaster/Signalman “A” School.  Why a Quartermaster?  Well that is easy – he was the guy on the boat that stayed the cleanest – no grease or paint like snipes or deckies – and he got the most liberty (time off)  Actually that was a good choice.  Quartermasters in the USCG were also Signalman and it is, what I would learn to be, an Ops job.  ‘Nough of that.  Okay – after Appalachee and “A” School in Newport RI – more on theat party town later…I was transferred to USCGC Pontcharttrain – A high endurance cutter homeported in Wilmington, NC.  That’s where QMs do their best work.  On cutters, at sea, navigating, steering, signaling, and doing operations stuff on SAR patrols and Ocean Stations.  I have not found the patch for Appalachee or Pontcharttrain – although I have some pics I can add later.  But after all that – I was transferred to USCG MSO Hampton Roads. SHORE DUTY!! YEAH.  No patch from there either.  After MSO I was transferred to USCG Group Norfolk which became USCG Group Hampton Roads Va.  No patch for that one either.  Next I was transferred to USCG Atlantic Area Command in NYC.  There I was assigned to the LE Team.  I have some physical patches I need to scan for this article.  SOOOOoooo while assigned to Lant Area – I served on the USCGC Alert and USCGC Vigorous – Here is the patch for Alert – I need to find one for the Vig..

Did some time on Alert and Vigorous during my Lant Area Duty

Next patch is from USCG Air Station Cape May.  I ended up there after LantArea Training Team.  I could write more about what I did at each command but for now I just want to get the patches here.

I think the units with the most action – that is Search and Rescue (SAR) action has to be at AirSta Cape May and then the USCGC Point Jackson – the next two patches.

And here is the USCGC Point Jackson

 

 

 

Well – that’s all I have for now.  I really could write more on my USCG career.  If anyone was interested.   Or maybe just fo the record.  Looking back – It would be really nice to have some past history on what my Dad did during WWII.  We’ve all heard the stories.  But a written account would have been nice.  Maybe some day I will start writing it up.  Again – if anyone cares.. 

That’s all for now.  As always – Have Fun!!  

Dayna and Olivia

A picture of Dayna and Olivia taken with my iPhone.

Memorial Day Cooking

Memorial Day cooking. Made some Beer-Up-The-Butt Chicken and Ribs.

Lot’s of Stubs and Beer!!

Frog in the Pond

We have a frog in our garden pond.  Not sure where he/she came from.  Likes to sun on the lily pads.  A bit shy though – jumps back in the water when you get too close.  I was able to snap a picture using the 10x zoom with my camera.  Came out kinda nice – looks like something from National Gedeographic (Geographic for others – 🙂  )  The fish don’t seem to mind him being there.

Here’s the shot I took –  

Froggy Sitting on the Lily Pads

 

 

 

Enjoy – 

 

Greg.

Interesting Little Thingy – The First Mouse

I’m going to start adding Interesting Thingys – mostly geek stuff of interest.

For all you computer users here’s one that may interest you –

To start this off – Today’s  interesting little thingy was found on the Stanford.edu website, which showcases the “first” computer mouse. As you can see, from the pictures below, it is a bit clunky looking.  I think we’ve come quite a ways from this original lethal weapon (blunt instrument?) look.

Clicking on either of the pictures (or hyperlink above) will take you to Stanford University’s page, where you can check out the pet-rock/door-stop/computer-mouse for yourself, as well as view the original schematics.

I really wish I could get my hands on one of those; if only for self-defense

Have Fun!

Greg.

Bathroom Update – Part Deux

The bathroom project is about ready to wrap up. Final paint and fixtures went in last weekend. Good day to do it with the rain and all we have lately.

Just have some minor paint holidays to fix. And I have to cut and install the door threshold.