In the old days here at Uncle Igor's, the aircraft crew chief used to perform the maintanence ground runs. We complied with the first run in the morning prior to release for test flights and any subsequent ground runs for maintanence performed, vibration adjustments or leak checks. You were required to pass a written exam and 10 starts with PIC to get signed off. I was authorized to turn S76A & B models and the UH-60A Blackhawks. While I sat left seat for many runs in the S61's, S-64's and even a RH-53D I never managed to get those on my run card! Only incident I recall was "Tail Spin Tommy" chasing a fire bottle with a Blackhawk and I had heard of 2 S58's meshing rotors unsuccesfully!! Maybe John Dixson remembers a few more.....
All was ended when the Navy decided it wasnt a good practice to let us boys play with their toys!!
