With certainty, the winds of change direct the courses of our lives. It’s not always clear from where the winds blow nor to where. They may sometimes seem stale and stagnant. Other times, powerful and terrifying. They may even not take us where we wish or need to be. Nevertheless, we will sail them and give our all to make the best of that wind when it blows.
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I posted that nine years ago and on The Book of Face. I’ve no idea why I didn’t post it here. And even less of an idea of what prompted it.
Today, it’s something that I, and everyone else, needs to hear.
Obviously, we’ll only have just begun the third quarter when we return from spring break in a week or so. But, as we received several weeks ago the tools list for the fourth and fifth quarters, it’s something to start preparing for over the term… oh, and you have the summer quarter to prepare for it as well.
Here’s the list with a few links to specific recommendations and suitable alternatives.
Required Tools for Airframe II
ARCFT 235, 236, 237, 238
All of these tools are required by the second week of Airframe II Quarter! Students starting out of sequence must have all tools from General and Airframe I lists also! As always, consult your instructor for clarification if you are unclear about a tool description.
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As we’ve done this a few times, I’m just going to provide some links to the search results for plausible vendors that we’d used before: Amazon, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and the recommended vendor if one was given.
I’m not seeking out the various tool suppliers that may have been mentioned by the instructors because many may not (or don’t) have a search mechanism, a web presence, or both. You can certainly have a look at them and consider your own value of the time you spend on it.
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Snap Ring Plier set (ATS E100-022 or equal). 1 set
You’ll need snap ring pliers to both expand snap rings and compress.
Often, you’ll get directed toward tools that are adapters for power drills or (worse) impact drivers. Don’t! Just regular old 1/4″ to 3/8″ socket adapters.
1/4″ 12 Point universal joint socket set 5/16″ through 9/16″ (Genius US-206S or equal). 1 set
These sockets are rather difficult to track down. You can find them in several places, but they’re quite expensive — $220-ish. I think it’s quite unreasonable. Genius Tools has them listed for about $40 for the specific recommended item number. But they’re back ordered. Honestly, I’d rather pick them up for $40 than nearly six times as much.
All these tools are required by the second week Powerplant Quarter! Students starting out of sequence must have all tools from general and airframe list also! As always, consult your instructor for clarification if you are unclear about a tool description.
Slick mag E-Gap tool (Aircraft Spruce PN # T150 or equivalent) Students may make in Gen A as extra project, 1 ea.
While this tool and the timing lock tool above are rather inexpensive, there will be another $12 for ultra-basic shipping. What one might plan as a $30 purchase will actually be about $42.
Eng. Cable Sling **Note. All students will make this item in Gen A. 1 ea.
Amazon | Harbor Freight | Home Depot | Lowe’s | Just kidding, you should already have it. If you don’t or haven’t made one, check with your instructor and see about fabricating it.
Magneto Timing Light **Note (Aircraft Spruce #12-16901 or equivalent) Students should make this item in Gen B.
**Note: Some students may be starting the program out of typical sequence order, if they have not had a specific General Class that they would have made one of the required tools consult the Powerplant instructor prior to starting the Powerplant Quarter for guidance. For students who do complete these projects during General take care to assemble them to the highest quality, to prevent having to open purchase them due to inaccuracy.
I left the Army about… uh… **mumblemumble** years ago. I’ve had several roles, positions, and a career or two since then. It was, in a way, a lifetime ago. But I still took an oath. Not just any oath. But The oath.
A legally-binding statement that you make when you enlist. It’s purposefully codified into the United States Code:
(a) Enlistment Oath.-Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:
“I, ________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
You must say the words. You must say them exactly as they’re written. It may not be readily apparent, but grammar and meaning is paramount.
Ever wonder why it doesn’t say “only do what Trump says” nor “be Biden’s bitch”?
No?
That’s because it doesn’t.
Grammatically, there are three stanzas that are presented in order of priority:
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; — that’s priority one. It’s not negotiable. Defending the Constitution takes top priority. Against whom? Enemies. It doesn’t differentiate between “only foreign enemies” nor does it say “only internal enemies” nor “only Russia”. You’re defending it against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Let that resonate.
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; I will ally with those who have the same single priority — to support and defend the Constitution of the United States — unless the faith and allegiance is misguided and is an enemy of the Constitution. Then Rule #1 is the priority.
and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me… — unless they aren’t actually orders or the President or officers are demonstrably enemies of the Constitution. Rule #1 is still the priority.
Say the words. Say them exactly as they’re specified.
Not sure about anyone else, but I never un-took that oath.
the rest of me 