| Before
Taxi |
| The
BEFORE TAXI checklist was next. The Stability Augmentation System
(SAS) was engaged, and the pitch and roll switches of the autopilot
were turned on. The Digital Automatic Flight and Inlet Control
System (DAFICS) was thoroughly tested, taking about one minute.
Navigation systems and radios were checked thoroughly. Pitch,
roll and yaw trim switches were checked and confirmed for proper
movement, as well as checking the Right Hand Rudder Synchronizer
moving the right rudder correctly. Next, the pilot tested the
fuel derich system, which cut back the fuel richness in an over-temperature
situation. |
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While
the derich check was being accomplished, the crew chief walked up
the stairs and into position to check that the air refueling system
were working satisfactory and that the drag chute doors were closed.
All the time these checks were being completed the RSO was busy
checking out the ANS for navigational accuracy. After the crew chief
did his checks, the PSD technicians reached in each cockpit and
armed the ejection system. As the PSD techs started down the stairs,
the crew chief lowered both canopies.
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What
is DAFICS?
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The
Digital Automatic Flight and Inlet Control System, was designed
to control inlet positioning automatically and position flight
control surfaces to insure optimum flight performance and to
help control unstarts. The heart of the system consisted of
three triple-redundant computers that constantly compared inputs
and voted among themselves. DAFICS replaced the analog AFCS
system in 1983. |
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| The
crew chief walked down the stairs, and with the help of his assistants,
rolled both ladders to the sides of the hanger. The pilot then engaged
the air refrigeration system, and the crew chief asked permission
to disconnect the ground cooling air supply hose. After checking the
periscope and the nosewheel steering, and a final check with the crew
chief that all panels an gear pins were "secured and removed,"
the crew chief was cleared by the pilot to disconnect his interphone.
Most Habus gave their crew chief a few words of "thanks"
before disconnecting. |
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Return to Sortie
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| ©
Copyright
Richard Graham |
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