After I retired in 1977, I attended ST. Clair County Community College and Majored in Electronic Technology. I completed my associate degree studies in 1 year and graduated cum laude. While attending school I helped teach some of the courses I was taking and also tutored several students.
In 1978, I was hired by Detroit Edison as a Startup Test Technician at Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant. I directed instrument repairmen in instrument calibration, repair and Startup systems testing. I also wrote initial procedures for calibrating instrument and control loops.
In 1983, as an Engineering Technician, I was the Instrument And Control Procedure Coordinator. I reviewed Surveillance Procedures, scheduled the rewriting of Procedures and implemented Procedures by performing Initial tests and calibrations of Instrument and Control Systems.
In 1987, as a Senior Engineering Technician, I worked in Plant Safety as an Operating Experience Coordinator. In that position I reviewed Nuclear Power Plant Operating Experience Reports (OER) to determine applicability to Fermi. If found to be applicable, any corrective actions that were found to be needed, were taken to avoid similar occurences at Fermi. I also input OER information into data bases and maintained files.
In 1993, I retired from Detroit Edison. I had, by then, had two silent heart attacks that caused major damage to my heart muscle. This left me with only one functioning artery and no possibility of correction with bypass surgery.
After retiring from DTE, I was hired by Target as a Building Specialist. I was in charge of all store maintenance. This included lighting, wiring, painting and repairing of all store equipment. I also wrote preventive maintenace procedures for items such as the Store Emergency Generator and Trash Compactor.
In 1998, I retired from Target and have remained retired.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model North American F-86D Sabre Length 37.50 ft | 11.43 m Width 37.07 ft | 11.30 m Height 14.99 ft | 4.57 m Engine(s) 1 x General Electric J47-GE-27, turbujet engine generating 5,970lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 10,950 lbs | 4,967 kg MTOW 17,000 lbs | 7,711 kg Max Speed 690 mph | 1,110 km/h | 599 kts Max Range 785 miles | 1,263 km Ceiling 50,000 ft | 15,240 m | 9.5 miles Climb Rate 12,000 ft/min (1,344 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 6 x 12.7mm machine guns 24 x 2.75in rockets
External provisions for 2,000 lbs of bombs Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* XP-86 - Original Army Air Force prototypes (3) * YP-86A - Re-engined with GE J47 turbojet. * P-86A - Redesignated from YP-86A * F-86A - Redesignated production model from P-86A; Featured J47-GE-1 turbojet. * F-86D - Complete redesign of base model; Redesignated as night/all-weather aircraft; Hughes fire control system; J47-GE-33 turbojet. * F-86E - Slab tailplane adjustable inflight; J47-GE-27 turbojet * F-86F - J47-GE-27 turbojet; Extended leading edges. * F-86K - Based on F-86D model with J47-GE-17B tubojet. * F-86L - Rebuilt "D" model with updated electronics and larger wing surface