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Ronald Reagan Performs First At-Sea Jet Engine Test

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041206-14
Release Date: 12/6/2004 8:01:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Stephanie Senn, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) hit another milestone Nov. 7 when the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department's (AIMD) jet engine shop performed the ship's first at-sea jet engine test on an F/A-18 Super Hornet engine.

AIMD was testing the engine as part of an assessment of the ship's new Jet Engine Test Instrumentation (JETI), which was recently installed aboard.

"The JETI makes it possible for the ship to be mobile and self-sufficient when it comes to the air wing," said Glenda Parkhurst, an engineering technician from Naval Aviation Technical Data and Engineering Command. Parkhurst was the only person aboard qualified to run the tests that certify the ship for jet engine testing until the crew began their JETI training. "It allows the ship's personnel to test jet engines after maintenance or repairs."

When an engine is repaired, it has to be tested before it can be reinstalled in the jet.

"Without this system, we couldn't have an air wing on board," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class (AW/NAC) Carnell Chappelle Jr., the test cell leading petty officer. "We can't carry a brand new engine for every plane, so we must be able to repair and maintain the ones we have. After a jet engine is repaired, we have to test it to make sure the problem was fixed, and the engine is running properly. We can't put an untested engine back onto a plane."

Once the ship is certified to run tests using JETI, qualified personnel will run everything from basic leak checks to afterburner tests, said Chappelle.

Before being certified as a useable system, JETI has to run a barrage of tests on the various jet engines that will be used aboard the ship.

"To have a functional Super Hornet on the ship, the ship had to have JETI," said Parkhurst. "The Super Hornet motor is one big computer, and it needs another big computer to interface with it."

The Super Hornet isn't the only jet that will be used aboard the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. JETI will also test the EA-6B Prowler's jet engine before the ship can become certified. After all the results are in, Naval Air Systems Command will screen the data and send a letter of certification to the ship, added Parkhurst.

"We need to finish this certification so the Sailors can do their job," said Parkhurst. "When they get to run an engine on it, it means they've really accomplished something. The ship is one step closer to being able to support its air wing."