Bud by his baby Speedhawk
This compound flying machine (part helicopter, part plane) was absolutely magnificent.
Part of the gear box that we had to reassemble.
In my final week at Piasecki I worked in two different areas. The first area that I worked was at my desk creating a map of the machine shop. This map was later used by the boss to check the machines for functionality as well as safety. He now plans to remove some of the machines that are not working anymore. I also helped “Bud” Leonard with the right angle gear box that will be going into ARES. We had to take it apart and clean the old sealer off. After that was clean we refilled the box with oil and turned it to ensure that the oil was flowing smoothly. Once we decided times we created a new deal and put the gear box back together. We them took it out to the assembly that it was being tested on and placed it where it belonged.
Mid morning on Monday as I was sitting at my desk, Bud walked up to me and said, “Are you free to leave for a while?” And I told him I was but had no idea where we were going. By far one of the best parts of the trip was this little road trip we took. We went down to Wilmington, Delaware to the hanger where Piasecki keeps their Speedhawk. This aircraft along with a couple others is the main reason the military and Piasecki work so closely.
I remember walking into the hanger and being absolutely stunned and how big this aircraft was. I had lost all words. The size and technology in this aircraft were just absolutely phenomenal. When I walked in I could tell it was an amazing machine. Bud was in charge of the mechanics of the aircraft and he knew it front and back, up and down. Since he was the one that took me and another intern down there, we got a very educational look at finished product. Although the aircraft was out of service at the time, it could still go back up in the sky and be very efficient. We were informed 
that when it flew, it had the control of a Blackhawk.
Wednesday was a hard day because Hunter ( another intern) and I were leaving this week so they held a company lunch for us. The eating wasn’t the hard part. All of the goodbyes were the hardest part. I met so many great people on my internship and I learned a lot more than I can process in one setting.
Thursday, I left home at 3 am to catch a flight from Philadelphia at 5 am and will be arriving back home Thursday evening in Norwood.
The map that I made of the shop equipment.
My view from the plane landing in Dallas.
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