Cost-cutting drops chutes from KC-135s

[unhappycamper]

Cost-cutting drops chutes from KC-135s
Staff report
Posted : Saturday Mar 8, 2008 6:28:59 EST

The Air Force has decided to pull all parachutes from its KC-135 fleet.

KC-135s will no longer carry chutes, as the “likelihood a KC-135 crew member would ever need to use a parachute is extremely low,” according to an Air Force press release. The parachutes cost too much — in acquisition, maintenance and training — to make up for their relative uselessness on Stratotankers, according to the press release. Inspecting parachutes before flights is also extremely time-consuming, the release said.

The decision was part of the Air Force’s Smart Operations in the 21st Century program, which looks for ways to streamline operations and cut costs.

The press release said that almost no situation would call for a Stratotanker crew member to use a parachute, as it is statistically safer to stay with the plane.

“If the plane is under control, you are going to stay with it,” said Master Sgt. John Austin of the 18th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. “If it’s out of control, you’re not going to be able to get to the parachute anyway.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/03/airforce_kc135_parachutes_030608w/

[catnhatnh]

1. Let's remove all the expensive instrument panels too....

...after all, if the plane is in control you don't need them and if it's out of control they're just a pessimistic reminder of how fucked you are....