Jet engine shop keeps fire in the Talon’s tail

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The CSC Applied Technologies technicians who work on the propulsion systems in Building 187 have a tough job. They maintain almost 170 J-85 jet engines that power the T-38 Talon aircraft used to train student pilots here.

"These things are very temperamental," Rick Boardman, the CSC leadsman for the Jet Engine shop said with a smile while patting one of the engines. "There are literally hundreds of nuts and bolts in these engines, each one with a specific purpose, all of which are crucial to making sure the engine functions properly.

"Whenever an engine comes in, we are already behind because they need one back right away," said Boardman. The biggest challenge they face is finding the parts they need to keep the engines functional.

"We can't always get new parts, so we use a technique called 'cannibalization,'" said Boardman. "It's where we take parts from an old engine that has good pieces and give it to another one, to save time," he explained.

"These (aircraft) were put into production in the early 1960s, so it's hard to find the parts we need a lot of the time," said Boardman. "Using techniques like cannibalization gives the Air Force more bang for their buck, thanks to the skill level of these people."

Boardman just celebrated his 30th anniversary working at Vance AFB June 8.

After testing each engine individually they are tagged to indicate the temperature at which they will run best without damaging the engine. They have to be tested individually because each engine is slightly different, Boardman said.

During testing, each engine is "trimmed," adjusting the fuel to thrust ratio.

"Trimming is like tuning up a car," said Blaine Hines, the test cell operator with CSC. "Thrust is to an aircraft what horsepower is to a car."

The technicians must keep spare engines on standby so training is not affected when an aircraft with a broken engine comes in, said Boardman.

"We've had 15 engines ready and the next day we had three left," said Boardman. "It's like a race with no finish line.

"This job is very important. Lives are at stake, and we take that very seriously," said Boardman. "We always tell parents of the student pilots when they come in for a visit that we'll take care of their kids."

Boardman admits his job can be challenging, but finds it to be very rewarding. Especially when he sees the aircraft soaring over the base, he says he feels a sense of ownership because he knows they would not be flying if not for the efforts of his team.