dan_282 said:
Rusty could you please clarify how its all set up in Cold Lake,
reading your previous units in your profile u mentioned 416 tfs, and 1ams..
are there some techs at each of the fighter squadrons, and 1 ams, or do they all work at 1 ams only?
also, what type of work typically did u see each branch of tech doing? (being 3 in total i believe)
thanks man
Just to add to what rusty said, there is now only 1 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, 409, which was amalgamated from 416 and 441. The other CF-18 sqn is 410, but this is only an Operational Training Squadron, basically, where the pilots complete their training on the CF-18. There are techs in both squadrons that handle first line maintenance and basic servicing. 1 AMS, which is second line, is comprised of techs, mostly experienced cpl's and above, from both Squadrons. Within 1 AMS there is second line where the jet is stripped for its periodic inspections, tank bay where major fuel snags are taken care of, engine bay where engines are completely overhauled and paint bay. A new pte or cpl will most likely go into one of the squadrons to gain experience and then transfered into 1 AMS and its subsections, if they are lucky enough.
AVN's are now divided into 4 systems. Armament - they load the aircraft with bombs, rockets, flares, external fuel tanks and basically maintain the aircrafts weaponry systems. Airframe - they handle flight controls, hydraulics and landing gear (these guys are usually the busiest due to the age of the airframe). Engine - they maintain the engines, apu, fuel systems and environment control systems. ALSE - they are responsible for the life support systems such as the ejection seat and its systems, the pilot suits and oxygen system. If you are a new AVN tech at the sqn, you will be dropped into one of the four systems.
AVS's handle the radar, instruments and the rest of the electronic systems on the aircraft. They also help with the flight controls because this is a flyby wire aircraft.
ACS - they do everything related to the structure of the aircraft such as painting, refinishing, etc.