AEOLUS
AEROSPACE
Life Support: Physiology, human factors, and behavior
in hostile Earth and space environments; explorations of human social and
cultural issues; aviation medicine and egress technology affecting aircrew
environmental viability.
Aeolus
Aerospace is a private venture concerned with the study and history of human
survival in hostile environments. AEOLUS,
as you will recall from Greek history, was the ancient god of the wind. To the
ancients, the Aeolean realm was all of the sky above the Earth. In the present
contextual concept, our venue is any environment, whether physical or
figurative, that is not supportive of human life. This may include in the former
sense hyperbaric, norobaric, and hypobaric states, and philosophical,
sociological, or cultural concerns in the latter. Much of our interest relates
to high altitude survival and human life support factors technology that may
include both aviation, space and mountaineering applications.
This site serves as a focal venue for
explorations of humanity's attempts to sustain viable life in inherently
hostile, but frequently beautiful and fascinating regions of our planet, quite
often under difficult circumstances. It doesn't take much understanding of the
human condition or a sense of imagination to appreciate the fact that the
societies, cultures, and institutions we human beings have developed through the
ages are quite often inherently hazardous and/or dangerous to the continued
welfare of both planet and the biological life forms that inhabit it. In that
sense, do not be surprised if you find a number of things at this site, ranging
from articles, papers, opinions, poetry, and literature of broad interest, to
investigations of the farthest corners of human intellectual inquiry.
Any truly astute student of humanity must
ultimately conclude that while we higher primates, the erstwhile 'highest
evolved life form' on this planet, have an amazing capability to inspire, dream,
and create much that is of profound beauty, we also contain elements of
compulsive behavioral excess such that creation and destruction often seem to be
equal polar halves of the basic human psyche. In that reference, it is all too
easy to conclude that human beings may well eventually succeed, employing the
'blessings' of advanced science and technology, in completely destroying our
world well before it succumbs to natural astronomic forces (i.e. our source of
solar energy, the sun, going supernova). When the destructive force of our tools
exceeds our ability to control and use them beneficially (given our obvious
intellectual limitations), perhaps that outcome is a desired end. Meanwhile,
let's try to put on a happy face and dwell on the positive aspects of Homo
Sapiens.
About
us: 'AEOLUS AEROSPACE'
is the functional identity under which are conducted the activities of
Christopher T. Carey, historian, researcher, writer, author, and consultant
(AKA: 'Doc Boink'). Much of my past work has been in the field of civilian
medical technology, specifically in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine,
following service as an aeromedical specialist in the US Air Force during the
Vietnam era. After separation from that service I remained active in aerospace
physiology, aerospace medicine, aircrew life support (ALSE), and chemical and
biological defense technology (NBC/CBW). Past venues of occupational work have
included Southwest Asia (i.e. The Middle East), the Republic of China, and
Western Europe (Germany & Switzerland). Just prior to the outbreak of Gulf War I
in 1991, my activities expanded to include chemical and biological defense
technology through affiliation with ASA Incorporated (Applied Science and
Analysis, Inc.) as a corresponding associate in respiratory defense. Throughout
my life I have maintained a strong interest in mountaineering and climbing and
have more recently concerned myself with ancient Hawaiian civilisation. Until
very recently (2009), I was a member of the board of directors (emeritus) of the
California Aerospace Museum in Sacramento, California, (http://www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org/
) and served as their egress, human factors, and ALSE historian. Above all else,
I remain a student of life and maintain a continuing concern for the survival of
the species, given our inherently destructive tendencies as bioparasites on this
beautiful planet so many of us take either for granted, or as purely a source of
personal; economic wealth. Since this may all sound very self-aggrandising and like
so much indulgent puffed-uppery, let me put this all into perspective by
recalling what former Chief of Cardiology at Alameda County's Highland General
Hospital (Walter Stullman, MD, ACC) once said about me:
"He's my favorite 'high-grade' chimp'".
I'll leave you with two of my favorite quotes. The first is by popular 50s
cartoonist Walt Kelly's 'Pogo Possum', who observed that
"We have met the enemy and he is US...".
The second is by genuine rocket scientist Wernher von Braun who is
generally known as one of the driving influences behind the American space program:
"Man is the best
computer we can put aboard a spacecraft
...and the only one that can be mass produced
by unskilled labor."
Dr. Wernher von Braun, 1912 - 1977
THE
MAYDAY CAFE:
A Discussion of ideas, opinions, and concepts
WARNING: The Mayday Cafe is a virtual 'coffee house', wherein opinions, attitudes, perspectives and outlooks on all aspects of human life are aired and expounded. Unless otherwise stated, the ideas and opinions expressed here are solely attributable to Aeolus Aerospace [Note: 'Aeolus Aerospace' and 'The Mayday Cafe' are the legal and intellectual property of Aeolus Aerospace, copyright 1992-2010, and may not be used without specific permission or appropriate credit of origin. Many of the opinions found here reflect a decidedly left of center socio-political orientation, so if you are easily offended by philosophies that value free-thought and humane, logical analysis of human issues above partisan political and social dogma, please enter at risk to your own fond biases.
For a link to past discourses, clink on this link:
MAYDAY ARCHIVES
For a link to present archives (2006 and thereafter), click here: AUTHOR'S DEN
THE HIGH GRADE CHIMP:
A BOOK REVIEW FOR
CULCHA'D LEFTIES...
(Being a
resource for cultivated humanists who wish to be
broadly read on a wide range of subjects; click on 'Bonzo' at
left)
'U.S. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE RESPIRATORS' (A
book by Christopher T. Carey). A pictorial
reference on American biochemical respirators from 1900 through the present.
THE
AEROSPACE HISTORY TRADER:
Aerospace Artifacts currently looking for a home, or being sought after. Please contact us about any of the following items (egress@lanset.com) (dated Feb 2010)
1) For Sale: Lockheed aircraft J-79 jet engine from F-104 'Starfighter', including attached afterburner. Not working, but complete and excellent display piece, suitable for museum or private collection. Asking $7,500.00 (a real deal for this rare artifact!)
2) For sale: Ejection seat from McDonnell F-101 'Voodoo', nice & complete except for seat survival kit.
3) Wanted: Ballistic inertia reel and shoulder harness set for ROCAT type Lockheed T-33 E-seat.
4) Wanted: Russian KM-36M aviation oxygen mask and Chinese YM-9 aviation oxygen mask.
5) Wanted: Seat survival kit for Convair F-102 'Delta Dagger'.
(Please note: The genuine "Chuck Eager" Mach-mushing helmet shown above, left, is NOT for sale!)
LINKS TO ARTICLES ON AEROSPACE
& DEFENSE TOPICS AT THIS SITE
A CONDENSED HISTORY OF AMERICAN
HIGH ALTITUDE PRESSURE SUITS
A HISTORY OF AMERICAN AIRCREW
PROTECTIVE FLIGHT HELMETS
A HISTORY OF AMERICAN MILITARY
EGRESS SYSTEMS (Ejection Seats)
A HISTORY OF US AVIATION
OXYGEN BREATHING SYSTEMS (1900 to 1947)
THE USAF TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT
SYSTEM PROGRAM (Precursor to 'Combat Edge')
A HISTORY OF NASA F-104B
STARFIGHTER 57-1303/NASA N819NA ("Howling Howland")
A DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY OF THE CONVAIR F-106 'DELTA DART' INTERCEPTOR
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONVAIR F-106 'DELTA DART' EGRESS SYSTEM
A BRIEF HISTORY OF
CONVAIR F-106 'DELTA DART' 59-0010
FLIGHT TESTING THE F-106 DELTA DART At McClellan AFB
(1984 -1986) [NEW]
REMEMBERING LAIKA, THE PIONEERING
SPUTNIK-2 CANINE COSMONAUT (1957)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOVIET
MiG-15/17 (Russia's first swept-wing fighter)
A HISTORY OF
RUSSIAN (SOVIET) AVIATION BREATHING MASKS
[UPDATED]
REPACKING THE ACES II EJECTION
SEAT DROGUE PARACHUTE
REPACKING THE ACES II EJECTION
SEAT PERSONAL RECOVERY CHUTE
SLEDS OVER SINAI: AN SR-71 RECON
DEPLOYMENT DURING THE YOM KIPPUR WAR
WEBER FORCE DEPLOYING
BACK PARACHUTE (USAF Technical Manual)
OF UNIFORM CONCERN: A HISTORY OF THE US AIR FORCE 'BLUE SUIT'
SAGE: THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM (in
construction)
COLD WARRIOR: THE STRANGE
FATE OF SOVIET SUBMARINE K-77
LINKS TO ARTICLES ON CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY AT THIS SITE:
DEFENSE AGAINST CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL AGENT THREATS
LINKS TO MOUNTAINEERING ARTICLES ON THIS
SITE:
WHERE IT ALL STARTED:
MOUNTAINEERING AND THE SWISS MATTERHORN
A
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH ALPINE CLUB
LINKS TO RELATED SITES OF SIGNIFIANT INTEREST (off site):
MILITARY AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SUBJECTS
Pat's World of the Convair F-106 'Delta Dart' (the ultimate 'Six' website)
Kevin Coyne's EJECTION SEAT webpage (the ultimate egress system history website)
'Mars Journal' , website of former NASA flight surgeon Dr. Fred Kelly
'Flightgear on Line', the international life support collector and history site
'Flying Clothing' website, a forum for flight gear collectors and historians
US Air Force Life Support Retirees website (ALSE)
US Navy Parachute Riggers website (Naval Aircrew Life Support Systems Personnel)
US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine
SAFE Association (Survival and Flight Equipment)
Aerospace Medical Association (AeSMA)
James Griffith's Ejection Seat website (England)
Vincenzo Auletta's Ejection Seat website (Italy)
Aerospace Museum of California (California's newest aerospace museum, Sacramento CA, USA)
Martin-Baker Ejection Seats website
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Pressure Suit Dot Com: the ultimate pressure suit/space suit website (Dennis Gilliam)
The Best of 'Flight Gear' (a summary of the most interesting data from the old 'Flight Gear Forum')
Air Force Flight Test Center Museum (Edwards AFB, CA)
Flight Test Historical Foundation (Edwards, CA)
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Order of Daedalians (Military Pilot Fraternal Organisation)
Gauntlet International (Maj. Craig Martelle's excellent website on Soviet/Russian flight gear)
NASA NF-104 (Robt. Smith) Home Page
T-33 Heritage Foundation (Greg Colyer) Home Page
Andrea Salimbeti: Military Aviation and Jet-Age Flight Equipment
NON AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SUBJECTS
AdBusters: Dedicated to a world free of commercial deceits and marketing hype
CarBusters: Promoting alternatives to the cancerous 'car culture' America has spawned
Haole Hubby Club: a website for Hawaiian 'Hapas' (cross cultural marriages)
Too Much Coffee, Man (Shannon Wheeler's site for the peripatetically caffeine addicted)
The Rainbow Bridge: Where our beloved pets go when they cross over to what lies beyond
Central California Siberian Husky Rescue
San Diego Siberian Husky Rescue Group
Siberian Husky Rescue/Referral of California
Hawaiian Pet Network (the on-line community for Hawaiian Pet Magazine)
Siberian Husky Rescue Groups Reference Site (an index of national Siber-rescue efforts)
Hawaiian Nation (website of the Hawaiian Sovereign Independence movement)
5th FTR INTCPTR SQDN
"Isti Non Penetrabunt"
This site is dedicated in
memoriam to the US Air Force's Air Defense
Command, and especially to the pilots and
ground personnel of the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, last based at Minot
AFB, North Dakota, before being inactivated in 1988. It was their mission to
defend American air space against the threat of hostile intrusion during the
'Cold War' years, a mission that they carried out with both elan and high
precision for many decades. This site is also dedicated to the memory of the
Convair F-106 'Delta Dart' interceptor, the most advanced and dedicated pure air defense
interceptor ever designed, serving from 1956 through 2000 in a myriad of
operational missions. Although other US Air Force aircraft briefly performed the air defense
role during the multiple decades that ADC was active, it was commonly
acknowledged that "When you're out of 'Sixes', you're out of interceptors..."
Today, one of the most famous and successful of those F-106s (59-0010)
may be seen at the Aerospace Museum of California, situated at the old McClellan
AFB site in Sacramento, CA, where it has been fully restored and put on
permanent display (http://www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org
)
This site uprated as of: 7 Mar 2010
[All information, material, articles, and images
appearing here are the intellectual property of Christopher T. Carey
(as are the names MAYDAY CAFE and
AEOLUS AEROSPACE), copyright 1992-2010, unless
otherwise noted]
