Safety is paramount, and we ensure everyone gets a safety briefing to know the hazards before we test everything we do, we double check each other." When we run engines on the test stand, we are on the sides, top and bottom looking at the engine, and we have to have constant communication to make sure everyone knows what the other is doing at all times. "There are so many moving parts internally that could easily come apart, fuel and oil could spray on you. "There are many hazards associated with this job," said Sergeant Shiley. During afterburner operations, the wind inside of the test facility is generally more than 40 mph.
All personnel must wear double hearing protection while around running engines or aircraft. The Airmen working in the Hush House have to be careful because there are many things that can injure them. "This year alone, we have already burned 118,997 pounds of fuel or 17,000 gallons of jet fuel, and this does not include testing aircraft." "There is no set amount of engines or planes tested, as it is either feast or famine," said Sergeant Shiley, who has 17 years of experience at the Hush House. They watch the movement of ground safety observers and operate the camera system to aid in monitoring the testing.ĭepending on the guidelines used based on the specific parts changed and work performed, engines can take 15 minutes to test, or it can take up to five days. There are also control panel monitors who keep an eye out for anything unusual. Norvell, 113 MXS engine/aircraft run program manager. "Engine test facility and aircraft operators are basically pilots watching parameters to ensure everything is correct, while safety ground observers look over the aircraft and engine for leaks and other criteria in the applicable technical orders," said Master Sgt. "We look at engine parameters pilots will never see and we ensure everything works to specification." Timothy Shiley, 113 MXS Hush House test facility work leader. "We make sure engines meet all requirements and are safe for flight," said Tech. Ead, 113 MXS propulsion element supervisor. "During engine tests, we monitor parameters such as fan and core speed, engine vibration for the fan, compressor and turbine rotors, torque motors on various operating components installed on the engine, oil pressure and oil temperature just to name a few," said Senior Master Sgt. A trim pad is a concrete pad with a specialized hold back plate installed in the foundation. The Hush House test facility is primarily used for testing uninstalled engines following maintenance and is also used as a trim pad to perform high powered aircraft runs above 85 percent of the engines rated capacity. The District of Columbia Air National Guard 113th Maintenance Squadron has a facility that tests F-16 Fighting Falcon F110-GE-100 engines to ensure they are safe for flight before they are installed on the aircraft.
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