Shipmates,
Thanks to my Capstone Classmate and current Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Jim Conway, I was able to take an orientation flight in an Osprey V-22 tilt rotor aircraft.
I'm not a pilot, but the aircraft was impressive. It is controlled with a joy stick that replaces both the cyclic and collective controls in a helo. Engines are tilted with a thumb control on the joy stick.
The full performance vertical lift off is impressive. The transition to forward flight appears effortless and doesn't require the nose of the aircraft to be dropped to gain speed and transition as is done in a helo.
According to the pilot the performance in Iraq has been solid and a deployment to Afghanistan is in the works after high altitude and cold weather testing.
The V-22 can be used for both vertical insertion and hoisting but from a higher altitude because of the propellor downwash.
I invite true aviators to correct any terminology errors.
Thanks to our Marine Shipmates.
General Conway and I have instituted USCG/USMC Warfighter Talks. As many of you know we share the Special Missions Training Center at Camp LeJune. A great partnership.
ADM A
