Boiler Compound

[Mike Pilkenton]

Joe, you wouldn't happen to work at Edwards AFB do you?  I'm a flight test
engineer for the C-17 program here at Edwards!

Mike Pilkenton, Major, USAF
C-17 Chief Engineer

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Boucher <BoucherJC at lmtas.lmco.com>
To: diy_efi at esl.eng.ohio-state.edu <diy_efi at esl.eng.ohio-state.edu>
Date: Thursday, December 17, 1998 7:57 AM
Subject: Re: Boiler Compound


>The F16 is a fly by wire aircraft, so if you run out of electrons, the
plane becomes a very expensive high school gravity experiment with the pilot
along for the ride.  The answer developed was a hydrazine powered auxiliary
turbine.  If the electrical power fails,
>hydrazine is squirted onto a catalyist and into the turbine. This comes on
line in less than 2 seconds.  The turbine is connected to an emergency
generator and hydraulic pump.  He has maybe 5 to 7 minutes to find someplace
to land.
>
>When the system and the plane was developed in 1974 to 1975, nobody was
worried about the hydrazine.  Then someone made rats live in it and noticed
a slight rise in cancer problems and bam, instant change.  A large amount of
protective equipment is required for
>handling.  But this is very pure stuff.  Hell, at Edwards Air Force Base,
if  Locktite is used, the user has to wear 100% coverage and the left over
tube has to be treated as a hazardous substance and disposed of correctly.
>
>How do you know what is really bad?  Just because I've used Locktite a
couple of times doesn't mean I'm going to die of cancer.
>
>I'd like to try some of this Oxi-stuff.
>
>Joe (Frustrated) Boucher
>'70 RS/SS Camaro  '81 TBI Suburban
>