News>Members participate in KC-135 egress exercise
Photos
Flight crew members and test evaluators prepare a KC-135 Stratotanker for a ground egress scenario June 28, 2011, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Air Mobility Command-directed test was used to determine the number of passengers one passenger monitor can safely egress, or evacuate, from an aircraft in 90 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)
Passengers aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker prepare to evacuate the plane June 28, 2011, during an egress scenario at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)
An Airman evacuates a KC-135 Stratotanker June 28, 2011, during an egress scenario at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)
Passengers evacuate a KC-135 Stratotanker June 28, 2011, during an egress scenario at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)
by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
7/11/2011 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- More than 60 members here volunteered to slide down a large, air-filled slide, or in this case, an emergency exit, June 28, during a KC-135 Stratotanker ground egress test supported by the 126th Air Refueling Wing.
The AMC-directed test was used to determine the number of passengers one passenger monitor can safely egress, or evacuate, from an aircraft in 90 seconds, said Col. Thomas Wolcott, the Air Mobility Command test and evaluation director.
According to Capt. Doug Steinert, from the AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., this is the first time AMC has conducted an egress test on a KC-135.
"We've been asked to conduct this test to see if we can increase the amount of passengers that can go space A," Steinert said.
In addition to passengers and cargo, a flight team was also onboard.
"We set up the test with the basic operators: two pilots and one boom operator," Steinert said.
During the tests, the plane was configured differently each time with cargo along with 27 to 54 passengers. This changed the number of egress sites available.
The more cargo loaded on the plane, the more challenging an egress is, officials said, as cargo reduces the number of egress sites available.
The test results and completed surveys will provide data to support passenger handling policy changes for the KC-135.
Comments
7/13/2011 3:08:14 PM ET Not to mention the 70 yr old retiree and the young spouse traveling by himherself with and infant and 2 young children.
GM, JBPH-H
7/12/2011 9:56:14 AM ET Now can you reaccomplish the same test under darkness with no ground support equipment like a maintenance ladder for the overwing exits with 50 percent of exits blocked off like the FAA would require for transport airplanes and airlines.
