JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.— -- Recently, two 62nd Maintenance Squadron avionic technicians reintroduced the implementation of the Inter-Communication Set Controller cover plate of a C-17 Globemaster III after an increase of broken ICSC’s at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
The original design was developed by a former avionics technician, Chris Parcasio, in 2008.
”The initial ICSC plate idea was in 2008,” said Tech. Sgt. James Adams, 62nd Maintenance Squadron avionics technician. “The concept was approved in 2010, but further approvals were denied due to initial cost estimates. The idea was addressed again by Master Sgt. Andrew Wasson, 62nd MXS avionics flight chief, and Carla De Ruysscher, 62nd MXS avionics technician, and has recently gained a lot of support from squadron, group, wing, 18th Air Force, and Air Mobility Command leadership.”
The ICSC cover plate, is a sheet of polycarbonate material that fits over the front panel of the Inter-Communication Set Controller. The ICSC cover plate is used to protect the ICSC front panels fragile glass displays and control knobs against seatbelts, aircrew iPads, boots, oxygen masks, aircrew and maintenance personnel, and any other item that can damage it.
“Recently we’ve worked closely with the 62nd MXS fabrication flight to finalize the cover plate's design,” said Adams. “The design took several weeks and several templates. Now that the final design is complete, manufacturing a single cover plate will be about 10 minutes.”
The ICSC unit provides the crew with the ability to select microphone inputs and control audio volume for the communications, high frequency, ultra-high frequency and International Maritime Satellite transceivers and interphone. The ICSC allows pilots to use the aircraft radios and aircrew to communicate with each other throughout the aircraft. Damage to the ICSC's front panel would limit in aircraft communications.
Wasson said that the cover plate was designed to help mitigate damage and prolong the ICSC's front panel service life and continue communications.
“So far, the ICSC cover plate is still in the developmental stage,” said Adams. “Upon approval of the final material we use, which is estimated to cost between $5-$25, each panel could save $19,000 in ICSC front panel damages and replacements of the front panel.”
The 62nd MXS, to date, has made nine plates of different anti-glare, thickness and tints for testing purposes only.
“We are still in the testing phase and really hope to find a viable solution that will work for the pilots,” said Adams. “We are hoping to get approval for final testing on the aircraft very soon. If that passes, then we are hoping to have these on the aircraft within a few months after that.”