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NEWS | May 3, 2007

Three Randolph pilots presented AETC Well Done Awards

By Megan Orton 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

Three Randolph pilots were recently awarded Well Done Awards from the Air Education and Training Command. 

Aviation Well Done Awards "recognize personnel whose outstanding airmanship or support to aircrew prevented, or reduced the impact of, a serious flight mishap. In special cases, this award may be given to an individual whose contribution significantly impacted the safety of the Air Force aviation community," according to Air Force Instruction 36-2833. 

Maj. William "Tex" Addison, 560th Flying Training Squadron T-38 instructor pilot, successfully maneuvered his aircraft to land when it ingested a turkey vulture on a training transition sortie Oct. 3, 2006. 

The sortie was uneventful until entering the tower controlled pattern from an instrument approach. After configuring the aircraft for a normal touch-and-go overhead pattern, halfway through the final turn, the bird strike occurred. 

Major Addison immediately took control of the aircraft and, despite increased drag from the seized engine, executed recovery maneuvers. He then successfully directed the student pilot to shut down the seized engine, and eventually made a flawless single-engine pattern and landing. 

Lt. Col. Byron Copeland, a 559th FTS T-6A instructor pilot, at the time, accomplished all emergency procedures when his T-6A's master warning system alerted him to a CHIP light condition, indicating metal fragments were shearing from the gearbox and accumulating in the oil system. 

He was leading a two-ship formation training sortie Oct. 20, 2006, when the CHIP light came on, which is symptomatic of an imminent engine failure situation. 

According to the awards package, Colonel Copeland demonstrated outstanding situational awareness, systems knowledge, crew resource management and local area knowledge by coordinating with his number two aircraft and the control tower for separation of the formation, expertly maneuvering his aircraft to a safe energy state, and executing a flawless precautionary engine landing. 

All emergency procedures were accomplished in full accordance with technical publications and to an expeditious full stop, ensuring minimal stress on a damaged engine. 

Maj. Bernard Giegler, 99th FTS T-1 instructor pilot, was awarded a Well Done Award for his instruction of student pilots on their first T-1A mission Nov. 30, 2006. 

Major Giegler noticed the right engine low oil pressure light flickering while configured to perform a demonstration. All other indications looked normal, so Maj. Giegler reduced the throttle on the right engine to idle, with the oil gage indicating 45 psi. About one minute later, the same light came on steady and the oil pressure gauge indicated 20 psi with the engine at idle. 

Major Giegler instructed one of the students to open the Dash-1 performance manual and read through the Low Oil Pressure Checklist. Through guidance from the Dash-1, it was determined that the engine should be shut down. Major Giegler declared an emergency with the Air Traffic Control and returned to base, directing and instructing the two trainees to run checklists and look in the Dash-1 for any cleanup items. 

The AETC Well Done award winners were presented a certificate and plaque by Col. Richard Clark, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, April 24