After retiring from first-line air rescue operations, the UH-1H Huey Helicopter NA-515 used to be on active duty at the National Airborne Service Corps. MOI was handed over to the Training Center of Miaoli County Government Fire Department for simulated training on disaster relief in three dimensions. As time went by, the aircraft no longer met the training needs of firefighters, and the training center decided to donate it. Upon receiving this piece of information, the Taoyuan City Daxing High School took the initiative to inquire from the National Airborne Service Corps. MOI, hoping the helicopter could serve teaching purposes at its Aircraft Maintenance Division.
This ‘senior chopper’ deserves credit for marking the new era of disaster relief in three dimensions. Having taken part in search and rescue operations during Typhoon Morakot in 2009, transporting supplies to the Wulai mountain area during Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, multiple mountain rescue operations, forest firefighting, water rescue, training tasks, etc., the helicopter with a total of 7,268 flying hours performed so many valuable services. After coordination between parties concerned, the helicopter was donated and delivered on April 28, 2022 in order to continue bringing out its value. With the impact of Covid-19, delivery personnel properly perform self-management and related protective measures in compliance with the provisions of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Director Chen of Aircraft Maintenance Division, Taoyuan City Daxing High School said, “NA-515 has long been kept outdoors. Over time, what was left of the paint was peeling, and its vibrant yellowish orange color had been lost. After the helicopter was taken back to the school, the students learned how to apply painting techniques in a creative manner and repaint it to restore its bright look. At the same time, the students were given internship opportunities where their practical skills and knowledge of engineering were enriched. Their professional foundation in aviation, machinery, electronics, and electrical technologies, as well as their design and R&D capabilities were also cultivated. They also demonstrated their potential to pursue further studies in aviation related fields.
General Commander Ching Yen-Yuan of National Airborne Service Corps. MOI said that aircraft maintenance is the basic operation in aviation safety. Every air craft maintenance worker must demonstrate the ability to read the English version of the technical manual and develop the habit to follow maintenance procedures . Before getting stated, every employee is required to refer to and view the work instructions in the technical manual in order to sequentially clarify the cause of malfunction and solve the issue. These essential techniques are experiences accumulated through further education. General Commander Ching Yen-Yuan said at last that the aviation technology sector has been recruiting talents from external sources in recent years. Clearly, there is a broad range of career opportunities in the future. I anticipate that the donation to Taoyuan City Daxing High School will facilitate the cultivation of outstanding aviation technology talents, as Taiwan takes off into the bright future sky.