Aircraft Landed for Open House Event

By Kari Hawkins, Redstone Rocket StaffMay 21, 2009

First Flight
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Priscilla Guerrero holds her son, 11-month-old Christian, in the cockpit of a helicopter on display at the Aviation Technical Test Center open house May 14 at the Redstone Airfield. Armando Guerrero, a contractor for Air Traffic Command, brought his ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cockpit Wonders
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Helicopter Playground
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – While the adults enjoy learning about the special features of the Chinook helicopter, 2-year-old Raquel Ortiz, sitting, and 20-month-old Hayden Callaway strike up a playful friendship along the bench seats where Soldiers often sit when transported to... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ground View
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Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were the hot commodities at the Aviation Technical Test Center's second annual open house May 14.

The event was open to anyone who can gain access to Redstone Arsenal and who has an interest in the growing footprint of Army aviation on the Arsenal. Both Department of Defense and NASA employees attended the event.

Visitors to the open house were given plenty of opportunities to experience about a dozen aircraft up close. They were allowed to sit in the cockpits, climb in the cargo hulls and touch all areas of the aircraft. Pilots and flight crews were on hand to answer questions.

Among the favorites were the Chinook, Apache Long Bow and Kiowa Warrior helicopters. One Chinook on display was equipped with the innovative icing system that ATTC uses in developmental testing flights to analyze the effects ice have on aircraft. The Arsenal fire department was also on hand with a fire truck especially equipped to handle airfield emergencies.

The open house included a presentation that provided an overview of the growth of the Aviation Technical Test Center at Redstone Arsenal, its mission and capabilities, and its customers. ATTC is relocating from Fort Rucker to Redstone Arsenal, with completion of the move set for 2011.