Tour at Georgetown Loop Railroad, Colorado 1983.

"Silver Plume" - Self. @Copyright 1983.

"Over the bridge" Engine #14 @Copyright 1983.

Engine #14 @Copyright 1983.

"Journey Break" @Copyright 1983.

 "Train Ride" @Copyright 1983.

Self at Engine #14

Engine #8 @Copyright 1983.

@Copyright 1983.

"Train Conductress" @Copyright 1983.

@Copyright 1983.

@Copyright 1983.

Tour at Denver, Colorado 1983.

Colorado State Capitol @Copyright 1983.

The 16th Street Mall at Denver @Copyright 1983.

The Mall at Denver @Copyright 1983.

"The Denver" From left Self and Isa.

Visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater
From left: Self, Mr.Jerry Hensel, Isa, and Hood.

From left: Isa, Mr.Hensel, and Self.

Red Rocks Amphitheater @Copyright 1983.

Red Rocks @Copyright 1983

Our weekend special prepared by Mr/Mrs Hensel's family.
"Shish Kebab" @Copyright 1983.

"Rivers of Colorado" @Copyright 1983

"Houses by the river" @Copyright 1983.

"Bridge on the river" @Copyright 1983.

"Water wheel" @Copyright 1983.

LOWRY AFB AT DENVER, COLORADO,USA.

On June 5th,1983 evening from Stapleton International Airport at Denver, we took a cab to Lowry AFB  Denver, Colorado(1938-1994) a former USAF Base. Lowry AFB housed the world's largest Technical Training Center, named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Francis Lowry on 11 March,1938 and was permanently closed in by 1991 action of Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) commission in 1994. The land is now being used for commercial and residential development, though many of the old military building are in used such as Defense Financial and Accounting Services(DFAS), and Air Reserve Personnel Center.

Staying at the Lowry Billeting Bldg.1400 1983.

Inner view from Lowry Billeting 1400 1983.

Window view from Lowry Billeting 1400 1983.

We were assigned to our tutor Mr Jerry Hensel (3rd from left).
From left: Hood, Self, Hansel and Radzali.
1983

Studied at 
3420th TECHNICAL TRAINING GROUP
HEADQUARTERS
INTELLIGENCE
1983

"The Communication Link" at Lowry AFB @Copyright 1983.

The Main Exchange(BX) inside Lowry AFB equivalent to NAAFI or now PERNAMA. 
"Base Exchange" @Copyright 1983.

Weekend Sales at Lowry AFB @Copyright 1983.

To United States of America

       The journey started here......  

From left: self, Isa, Hood, and Radzali.

Subang International Airport, June 3,1983 morning.

Itinerary

Subang-Penang-Hong Kong(Kai Tak)-Taipei(Kaoshiung)-Japan(Narita)-Los Angeles-Stapleton CO.-Bergstrom(AUS)-Subang.

Subang - Penang - Hong Kong by MAS-DC10.

We were invited into the DC10's cockpit by the Captain (Ex RMAF pilot).

Subang via Penang to Hong Kong.

Approaching Hong Kong(Kai Tak).

Still approaching Kai Tak.

Landed at Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport.

Stayed overnight at Marco Polo Hotel, Hong Kong.

Continued on 09 February,2011.

Arrived at Taiwan's Kaoshiung International Airport.

Awaiting flight from Kaoshiung to Japan(Narita).

At Narita International Airport on transiting to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles International a year before Summer Olympic.

Over the Grand Canyon,Colorado.

Finally, Stapleton International Airport at Denver, Colorado.

The Alouette III Helicopter A Closer Look

Alouette III Helicopter-Starboard View
All photographs displayed are copyright reserved.

Frontal View

The Undercarriage Struts

The Control Panel & Cockpit

Nose Wheel

The Underslung Gear

Port View - Artouse IIIB Engine

Starboard Engine View

Top Engine View

Rotor Brake Disc

Main Rotor Head

Tail Rotor Gear Box And Tail Rotor Blades

The photographs above contribute to the visual checks for the helicopter before takeoff which is known as "Pre-Flight Check" to pilots and aircrews. Upon completion signing by the pilots "The Record and Log Book" as often called "The Base Copy or Travel Copy" at the First Line Servicing Section, then only the aircrews be allowed to proceed to the assigned helicopter for flying.

1.   The "Pre-Flight Check" covers the following areas of an Alouette III helicopter and normally carried out by the pilots and aircrews.

• Check if weather permissible for the day.
• On approaching the helicopter,check wind direction.
• Helicopter's sitting. 
• Helicopter is clear from obstructions.
• External fire extinguisher provided.
• The starting crew.

2.   Cockpit and controls, instrument panel, and internal cabin checks.

3.   Port radio compartment, engine mounting, and fuel tank cable checks.

4.   Front and rear port sliding door checks.

5.  Port engine side, tail boom, radio antennas, tail rotor gear box and guard checks.

6.   Port undercarriage and strut checks,

7.   Underslung gear check.

8.   Under-fuselage beacon light check.

9.   Port navigation light check.

10. Nose wheel strut,and landing light checks.

11. Main rotor blade checks.

12. Front wind shield inspection, wiper and wind indicator checks.

13. Starboard navigation light check.

14. Starboard front and rear door checks.

15. Main rotor head, main rotor blades spacing cable, fluid dampers, and overhead beacon light checks.

16. Main gearbox, and rotor brake disc checks.

17. Top of the engine and starboard engine side checks.

18. Starboard undercarriage and strut checks.

19. Starboard radio compartment, engine mounting and fuel tank cable checks.

20. Starboard tail-boom and the 5 floating bearing checks.

21. The radio antenna checks.

22. Tail rotor blades, and tail gear box checks.

23. Tail light, and tail rotor guard checks.

*      If all checks been duly satisfied, the Alouette III helicopter is ready for its engine start-up.

**   When the engine has governed at 33,500 rpm, the aircrew will perform external "Turn-Around Check" visually for any trace of fuel and oil leaks before taking off.(Leaving alone the tail rotor danger area).

***  A good Pre-Flight Checks takes about 20 mins to carry out depending on the type of roles required. 

Alouette III Helicopter - Taking Off.

The "Post Flight Checks" normally carried out when the helicopter returned from flying or "Returned to Base" and it is similar to "Pre-Flight Checks". Any abnormalities experienced during flight such as excessive vibrations, engine and hydraulic leaks, cracks, instrument and radio failures etc are being reported and recorded to "The First Line Servicing Section" for further rectifications.

Soalan Lazim Ditanya atau Frequently Asked Question (FAQ).

Saya kerapkali ditanya dengan banyak soalan-soalan oleh kawan-kawan dan saudaramara yang ingin tahu  tentang pekerjaan saya semasa dalam TUDM. Ini berlaku apabila bertemu semasa dalam majlis-majlis kenduri, semasa ziarah menziarah kawan dan saudaramara. Saya percaya kita semua tidak dapat elak daripada perkara seperti ini, hanya dengan berterus terang sahaja dapat kita menceritakan perkara-perkara yang sebenar walaupun mereka kurang yakin dengan cerita-cerita yang diberikan dan justeru itu saya mulakan dengan menulis "Blog" supaya kemunculan blog saya akan memberikan keyakinan diri mereka terhadap saya dan TUDM. Ini lah jenis-jenis soalan serta jawapan-jawapan yang dapat saya sampaikan.

S : Berapa lamakah anda berkidmat dalam TUDM(RMAF)?

J : Berkidmat selama dua puloh dua tahun (1970-1992).

S : Lepas bersara buat apa?

J : Dapat kerja sebagai "Pegawai Pentadbir" di sebuah syarikat swasta.

S : Betulkah orang kata askar selepas bersara hanya dapat kerja sebagai jaga(security guard),pemandu bas dan lori?    

     

J : Tidaklah semua mestinya begitu.

S: Bagaimana anda boleh dapat jawatan sebagai "Pegawai Pentadbir" tersebut?

J : Nasib saya dikatakan baik juga sebab ada mempunyai "Adv.Dip.Business and Administration.,UK."

S: Dalam blog anda, anda adalah seorang yang berpangkat "Pegawai Waran II" mengapa pula anda mempunyai banyak bidang profesion yang lain seperti logistik, airgunner, navigator, fotografi udara, dan lain-lain?

J : Itu memanglah perkara biasa dan ianya merupakan aset penting dalam TUDM dan keperibadian. 

S : Seronok jadi airgunner?

J : Profesion tersebut memanglah menjadi kebanggaan saya.

S : Pernahkah anda merasa takut semasa menjalankan tugas sebagai airgunner di udara?

J : Perasaan takut akan hilang apabila semangat untuk berjuang itu tinggi, lebih-lebih lagi dapat menggunakan senjata-senjata yang dipasang pada helicopter tersebut semasa menggempor.

Bersambung....pada 16 Dis,2010.


S : Mengapa anda tidak memohon menjadi pegawai TUDM?

J : Dulu pada tahun 1972 saya pernah memohon tetapi gagal walaupun saya menpunyai Cambridge School Certificate(OSC/MCE) 1968.

S : Mengapa tidak memohon lagi?

J : Ketika itu saya lebih selesa dengan pangkat yang sedia ada kerana ianya dalam sekim pencen.

S : Bukankah pegawai mempunyai sekim pencen?

J : Ya benar! pada pegawai yang bertauliah jangka tetap sahaja, dan bukan pada tauliah jangka pendek.

S : Bukankah ada sekim kenaikan lain-lain pangkat terus kepada pegawai?

J : Ada! memang tersebut dalam Akta Angkatan Tentera 1972 dulunya dikenali sebagai Malay Regiment Enactment(MRE) tetapi ianya tidak diperaktikan secara meluas oleh TUDM ketika itu.

S :  Mengapa begitu?

J : Kemungkinan peruntukan kenaikan pangkat secara terus terhad pada ketika itu jika dibandingkan dengan sekarang, di mana ramai lain-lain pangkat telah dinaikan terus ke pegawai. Kalau tidak silap saya ianya telah bermula secara meluas pada tahun1991 terutama sekali daripada bidang kejuruteraan dalam TUDM.

S :  Adakah anda merasa ketinggalan kerana tidak menjadi pegawai?

J : Tidak pula saya merasai sedemikian, dan jikalau saya menjadi pegawai, siapa pula nak jadi Pegawai Waran.

S : Mengapa anda masih berpaut kepada pangkat Pegawai Waran?

J : Pangkat Pegawai Waran adalah pencapaian pangkat yang tertinggi dalam kalangan lain-lain pangkat rendah dan ianya amat disegani oleh pegawai-pegawai atasan, serta berkebolehan dalam bidang profesionnya, berpengalaman, tahap displin dan mempunyai kepimpinan yang tinggi. Pegawai Waran merupakan "General of the other rank" yang selalu disegani dan dihormati oleh anak-anak buahnya.

S : Bagaimana hendak sampai kepada tahap pangkat Pegawai Waran dalam TUDM?

J : Dalam TUDM, selain daripada memperolehi kemahiran dan beberapa tahun pengalaman berkidmat, calon-calon untuk Pegawai Waran mestilah wajib lulus "Kursus Kaedah Mengajar", dan "Kursus Pegawai Waran" daripada Institut Teknologi Udara, Kinrara.

S :  Apakah detik yang paling pahit sekali semasa bertugas dengan TUDM?

J :  Semasa peristiwa terhempasnya sebuah pesawat Nuri di Sungai Lundu, Kuching, Sarawak pada 18 Dis, 1989 yang meragut nyawa kesemua 16 penumpang anggota tentera Malaysia termasuk Pegawai Pemerentah Div.ke2, Mej.Jen.Datuk Mustaffa Awang dan Pemerentah Brigade Infantry ke3, Brig.Jen.Datuk Hasbullah Yusoff, serta juruterbang dan anak-anak kapal...Al-Fatihah.