A few months before we went on Standdown, the 317 got sent to Qui Nhon to get some new radios. I bummed a ride over to get her and bring her home a few days later. While I was there, I got to talking with a Bell Tech Rep, he even bought me lunch. After he tried to explain to this lunkhead just what we were doing to our rotorheads, I got scared; and never did it again. But I had already done it 3 or 4 times in the right seat, and maybe 6 or 7 in the left.

Strange how you never worry about sane stuff like over-torqueing pinions and excessive blade snap taking off your tail boom when you are the middle of a fireworks display. But it sure gives me the willies now. I think I need to go get another brew to calm my nerves!

Later, Gators.

Pickett