The Buccaneers have done it! A team from the RSAF Peace Carvin V (PCV) detachment came up with an innovation project and has topped the United States Air Force (USAF) 366th Fighter Wing Spark Tank Challenge. The team will be representing the wing to participate in the USAF-wide Spark Tank 2021 Challenge. This is the first time a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) squadron has been selected to participate in the USAF innovation forum.

The team, comprises of ME4 Lee Liang Cheng, ME3 Allan Liew, ME1 Loo Hanjun and ME1 John Michael, spent months to undergo intensive research and trials to develop a safer and more efficient method to determine the functionality of the F-15 Main Landing Gear (MLG) proximity switch after its replacement. 
 

Using a lower cost aluminum plate that is readily available in the market, the team managed to electrically replicate a landing gear swing to test the functionality of the proximity switch without swinging the actual gear. Through this method, they were able to achieve a reduction of six to two men required to operate this task. This initiative has also saved 95% of the time required for the test and it eliminates any potential safety hazards faced by the Air Force Engineers (AFEs) with the current procedures.

The alternate proximity switch testing project marked a paradigm shift in the AFEs’ operation. The team plans to obtain official approval for this method to be recognised as an alternative process in the manufacturer’s Technical Orders, so that they can cross share their innovation project to benefit other F-15 operators around the world.
 
This win is a testament to our Buccaneer’s never-ceasing attitude towards perfection and innovation!