文章基本信息

标题：If you don't want to share your whistle, try an air horn - Crossfeed
作者：Timothy Davis
期刊名称：Mech
印刷版ISSN：1093-8753
出版年度：2003
卷号：Summer 2003
出版社：U.S. Naval Safety Center

If you don't want to share your whistle, try an air horn - Crossfeed

Timothy Davis

One way to get a plane captain's blood hot is to put his or her whistle in your mouth. With current manning shortages, many squadrons are augmenting their fight-line ops with any available maintainers. This solution is more the rule than an exception. When aircraft need to be moved, the lack of people forces some to share whistles or to do without them, which violates the rules for aircraft moves.

Wing walkers are required to have a whistle in their mouth anytime an aircraft moves. Nine of 10 augmented people arrive at an aircraft ready to help but often without a whistle, and those people with whistles often borrow them. In many line shacks, these items have become community property and are shared when necessary. No one likes to share such a personal item, but situations often dictate that we do.

Most line divisions have just enough whistles for their people. Several commands issue whistles with every cranial assigned to individuals. This matter becomes a tool-control issue: The line division now must manage more than 10 whistles. A push-button signal horn (an air horn) may be a good alternative to the shared whistles and to the obvious hygiene concerns.

Several manufacturers and types are available through the supply system or via open purchase. The air horn sounds a blast that can be heard over the roar of aircraft engines. These items are 100 percent ozone-safe, non-flammable and replaceable or refillable. Several versions are reserviced with a low-pressure, bicycle-type pump that comes with the unit.

If your command wants to incorporate these items, first get an authorization to deviate from tool-control plan (e.g. replace the whistles with air horns). The chain of command must approve these items before they can be used. The air horn is a tool, and if adopted, they must be accounted for like any other tool. If you don't want to share whistles, air horns may be the tool for you.

Senior Chief Davis is a maintenance analyst at the Naval Safety Center.

For more info ... Consult the GSA catalog and other supply documents for information air-horn models and manufacturers. The version tested is made by Falcon Safety Products, Inc. Their model PBSHN costs $26.99 and refill model PBSHNR costs $14.99.