PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-733
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 733
DECEMBER 2013
22
PS 733
DEC 13
M
echanics, proper towing procedures for your AH-64 are important if you want to avoid
tail wheel damage.
Too often, the quick release pin either isn’t in place before towing or it gets missed when
preparing your aircraft for the tow bar. If that happens, you’ll shear the tail wheel lock
actuator. Then your bird is out of commission.
To avoid damaging the tail wheel, always press the lock handle down first and then fully
insert the quick release pin. This allows the wheel to pivot when towed. If the handle is left
up, the wheel is locked and if you tow the aircraft, you’ll break the lock pin.
Also, make sure the lock handle doesn’t pop back up before inserting the pin. When the
handle is down and the pin is in, hook up the tow bar and you’re ready to go.
Just don’t forget the ground guides and brake rider when towing. They will help you
keep aircraft blades from running into hangar doors and other aircraft.
M
echanics, your Black Hawk pistons are moving parts that need attention to protect
their seals.
Make a habit of wiping down all aircraft pistons with a clean dry cloth before and
after each Fight and after you wash the aircraft. If you don’t lube them after you wash,
calcium deposits will damage the seals. Do what it says in TM 1-1520-237-23 series
and your unit SOP. ±or the M-model, follow the good words in TM 1-1520-280-
23&P.
The following parts
all
have seals: the pitch, roll and yaw piston; the primary servo
pistons in the hydraulic deck; the main rotor damper pistons; the main landing gear
struts; the tail landing gear struts; the tail rotor servo piston and the stabilator actuator.
Clean pistons…
…and struts to
protect seals
Quick
release
pin
here
Before towing,
make sure lock
handle is down
Never
tow
without quick
release pin
AH-64A/D…
The Towing Hook Up
Take
Care of
Pistons
and
Struts
UH-60A/L,
HH-60M…
You’re all
cleaned and
ready to go.
Oh, I love
the smell of
clean in the
morning!
you didn’t have
my quick-release
pin in place when
you started
towing me.
now my tail
lock actuator is
sheared!
do you
know how much
that
hurts!?
aww, man…
I’m goin’ on
Sick caLl!
what?!
WHaT’s
Wrong??
733 22-23.indd
1-2
11/6/13
1:24 PM
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