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New Dunker At NAS Jacksonville Ready For Ditching

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090502-12
Release Date: 5/2/2009 3:13:00 PM

By Clark Pierce

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville introduced the next-generation underwater egress trainer at Aviation Survival Training Center (ASTC) Jacksonville during a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 28.

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Jack Scorby joined Cmdr. Susan Jay, ASTC director, for the inaugural plunge of the 9D6 Modular Egress Training System (METS) that simulates an aircraft ditching in a body of water and sinking upside-down. It allows aircrew to practice escaping from a submerged fuselage.

A dripping wet Scorby declared, "I'm honored that these professionals at ASTC invited me for the inaugural dunk in the 9D6 METS. Cmdr. Jay and her staff have been preparing for this day since last December. I've ditched in a number of dunkers in my aviation career and the level of realism that I just experienced is a tremendous improvement over the previous trainer. While no pilot or aircrew anticipates a water-ditching experience, should it ever occur, everyone involved will be grateful for this training."

The crane offers an enhanced response time in the event of an emergency.

"This new crane is controlled by a simple, wireless remote that allows the operator to stand with the NAWSTI dive supervisor for direct communication and optimal safety," explained Chris Amicarelle, site manager who leads the civilian team that operates and maintains the 9D6 METS. "If someone submerged in the pool is having trouble or if we lose power during a dunk, we can engage the emergency retract system that is powered by compressed air."

"Our naval aviation water survival training instructors (NAWSTI) agree that the METS delivers a more robust and realistic ride," said Jay. "When it hits the water, it rolls more rapidly and violently than the old drum-style dunker. Now, students must open windows and remove hatches to egress the trainer in both day and night scenarios. We can put as many as six students in the dunker – usually two pilots up front and four aircrew in the cabin – depending on the platform."

For more news from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasjax/.