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
C-54s began service with the Army Air Forces in 1942, carrying up to 26 passengers. (Later versions carried up to 50 passengers.) The U.S. Navy also acquired the type, under the designation R5D. The C-54 was one of the most commonly used long-range transports by the U.S. armed forces in World War II. 515 C-54s were manufactured in Santa Monica, CA and 655 were manufactured in Chicago, Illinois.
After World War II, the C-54 continued to serve as the primary airlifter of the new United States Air Force and with the United States Navy.
The USAF Strategic Air Command had C-54 Skymasters in service from 1946 through 1975.
Model Douglas C-54A (R5D-1) Skymaster Length 93.83 ft | 28.60 m Width 117.49 ft | 35.81 m Height 27.49 ft | 8.38 m Engine(s) 4 x Pratt & Whitney E-2000-7 Twin Wasp radial engines generating 1,290hp each. Empty Weight 37,000 lbs | 16,783 kg MTOW 62,005 lbs | 28,125 kg Max Speed 265 mph | 426 km/h | 230 kts Max Range 3,899 miles | 6,275 km Ceiling 21,982 ft | 6,700 m | 4.2 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 6 + 86 Operators the United States of America