F-15 crew chief to F-16

So you want to be an F-35, mechanic, loader, avionics technician...? Here you will learn that you will need education, hard work and steadfast dedication. (Note: This used to be the F-16 crew forum)
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by a3m0n » 13 Oct 2012, 16:24

I've been active duty crewing F-15s for the past 5 years, mostly Strike Eagles (E-models) but I've been stationed at Eglin AFB for about a year and a half where we have Eagles as well (C/D-models).

I've applied for a full-time ANG slot at the 187 FW (Alabama ANG) and if hired will be crewing F-16s. Can any of you 16 crew chiefs give some pluses on crewing them? Anyone have experience on 15s and 16s that can compare them? From a mantenance standpoint of course.

Thanks!


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by a3m0n » 14 Oct 2012, 03:53

C'mon, no love for the F-15 guy?


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by TJStoney » 14 Oct 2012, 04:08

f-16s are easier to work.


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by a3m0n » 14 Oct 2012, 20:10

Wow, very detailed response. I now know that F16s are easier to work, thanks. Based on what experience? What about the plane is easier to work?


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by guardbaby » 15 Oct 2012, 03:55

You don't need a ladder for most maintenance...beware the 'Falcon Bite'. :nono:


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by a3m0n » 15 Oct 2012, 06:28

I hear ya on the bites, I've had my share of Eagle bites - BRU racks are killers!


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by TJStoney » 15 Oct 2012, 07:17

Ok you don't need AR. You don't have to lift the canopy it's electric. The landing gear are alot easier to service brakes are eaiser to change. JFS is alot eaiser to change don't need to defuel the centerline tank. Hyd pumps are easier to change.


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by a3m0n » 15 Oct 2012, 07:41

Oh yeah, if I get the job I'm looking forward to canopies that open all the time. I hate a flat canopy accumulator. Theres only 2 hydro systems right? How about hydrazine, do crew chiefs mess with that stuff?


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by f16fuelguy » 15 Oct 2012, 19:46

im a F-16 fuel system Mec. the fuel shop deals with the (H-70) Hydrazine. the crew chiefs change the EPU, thats the part the H-70 works.


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by a3m0n » 15 Oct 2012, 22:29

So we deal with it indirectly? Fuels guys would purge the system then crew chiefs remove/replace the EPU?


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by f16fuelguy » 16 Oct 2012, 00:41

thats correct.
but you sad you are going to the guard so there is a chance that the fuel shop will change out the EPU.
i am in the air guard and some units will have other shops help out the crew chiefs and take over some tasks.
also in the guard the hydraulic back shop some times will do flight line work.


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by a3m0n » 16 Oct 2012, 02:20

Wow, sounds like more of a team than playing the "its not my job" game. I'm going to visit the guard unit this weekend, hopefully I get the job then can get approved to palace chase!


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by a3m0n » 05 Nov 2012, 23:22

I've been studying the F-16 section of my CDCs again, as well as reading through tech data. I gotta say that I like what I see, the entire airplane seems like it was thought out better. I've also been shadowing some midshift crew chiefs and gotten a few walk throughs from other 7-lvls, seems like a nice aircraft to work. I haven't met anyone yet who hates to work an F-16 like some of us hate working F-15s.



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