Inspections

A preflight inspection is performed by the aircrew member before each flight. The interval between preflight inspections must not exceed 14 days. To perform the preflight inspection, do the following: 

l Check the slide fasteners for secure attachment, ease of operation, and corrosion. 

l Visually inspect all seams for loose or broken stitching. 

. Visually inspect outer shell and hose covering for holes, tears, and abrasion. 

. Check the quick-disconnect connector for nicks, corrosion, and proper operation.

. Inspect the laces and lacer loops for secure attachment and excessive wear.

If you find any discrepancies, forward the garment to the aviator's equipment branch for a periodic inspection.

The calendar inspection is made by an Aircrew Survival Equipmentman prior to placing the anti-g garment in service and every 180 days after that, which coincides with every second life preserver calendar inspection. The calendar inspection is also done whenever a discrepancy is discovered during preflight inspection. This inspection consists of the preflight inspection items and the following additional tasks:

You will be required to perform a leak test and repair any discrepancies found after you complete the leakage test.

To perform the leakage test on a CSU-15/P anti-g garment, you should use a special test fixture, which inflates the suit and measures the inside pressure. You are required to inflate the g-suit to 5 psi. The bladder must not drop more than 1.0 psig in 30 seconds. A pressure drop greater than 1.0 psi in 30 seconds constitutes a failure. The CSU-15/P anti-g garment remains in service until it fails the leakage test.

If everything is in order, date and sign the history card.

MAINTENANCE

Repairs are performed at the lowest level of maintenance possible. They are limited to repairing small holes and tears in the outer shell and replacement and adjustment of lacings. Since the hose is part of the bladder system, repairs to it are limited to tightening or replacing the clamp and replacement of quick-disconnect fittings.

Cleaning is performed at the lowest maintenance level possible. TO clean the CSU-15/P anti-g garment, proceed as follows:

1. Seal the air inlet port with a cork or a rubber stopper. Do NOT allow water to enter the bladder. NEVER machine-wash or dry clean the anti-g coveralls.

2. Immerse the garment in a solution of bacteriostatic detergent and cold water. Do not wash the garments in hot water. Mix the detergent according to the instructions printed on the container. If instructions are not printed on the detergent container, use a ratio of 1 cup detergent to 3 gallons of water. Allow to soak for 5 minutes. Agitate gently (by hand) for 2 minutes and drain the water.

3. Rinse in cool, fresh water, and then drain the water. Repeat the rinse process until all traces of detergent have disappeared from the rinse water.

4. To dry the garment, it is very important that you do not try to wring, tumble, or spin dry the garment. This action could damage the bladder or air inlet port. The proper procedure for drying is to hang the garment on a wooden hanger in a dry, well-ventilated area. Do not dry them in direct sunlight because ultraviolet radiation can weaken the fabric.

INTEGRATED TORSO HARNESSES

The MA-2 integrated parachute-restraint harness (fig. 4-13), also known as the integrated

Figure 4-13.-MA-2 torso harness suit (cutaway). 4-15

torso harness suit, integrates the aircrew member's parachute harness, lap belt assembly, and shoulder restraint harness. The parachute harness is reeved through the torso suit to retain it in a position to make it easier to put on and take off. The MA-2 suit provides optimum mobility to the aircrew member while restraining him to the seat during emergency conditions; it serves as a parachute harness in case of aircraft ejection or bailout .

The MA-2 suit consists of a nylon webbing harness encased in nylon fabric, and is configured into a sleeveless, legless, torso garment available in 16 sizes, extra small to extra-extra large long. Shoulder restraint adjustable straps with quickrelease fittings provide attachment of the parachute riser assembly. A lap belt with a quickrelease adapter is attached to the lap belt alignment webbing. The lap belt assembly provides attachment to a survival kit or parachute and prevents damage to the abdominal area during parachute deployment. The suit is closed by a slide fastener with hooks and eyes for alignment. An adjustable chest strap provides the final necessary chest restraint adjustments. The chest strap is secured by a friction adapter and hook and pile tape. A gated D-ring is attached to the right shoulder adjustable strap near the quick-release fitting. The D-ring is for attaching a helicopter rescue hook.

The MA-2 (cutaway) is approved for use and is fabricated from an MA-2 by cutting away nonstructural nylon cloth. This is done to improve comfort in warmer climate operations and does not decrease either function or reliability of the assembly. The MA-2 (cutaway) is modified at the discretion of the individual aircrew member.

The MA-2 is worn by aircrew members that are fitted with a parachute designed for use with the integrated system.

SIZING

The MA-2 restraint harness should fit the aircrew member properly to provide maximum protection and comfort. The proper size harness must be identified and the fit of the selected size must be observed. Also, the fit must be made with the aircrew member in the ejection seat to be sure that optimum restraint is provided. Finally, the aircrew member will be suspended in the harness and the distribution of weight and body shift will be looked at.

Select an initial harness size from the range of stock sizes by looking at the body build and height of the aircrew member. A larger or smaller size harness is tried until the best fit is found. Aircrew members unable to be fitted with a stock harness should be considered for a custom-fit harness. Instructions for obtaining a custom-fit harness can be found in NAVAIR 13-1-6.2, and by contacting the Naval Weapons Center (NWC), China Lake, California. Consult the local physiology unit to determine if a custom harness is necessary.

FITTING

With the aid of a flight surgeon (if available) or naval aviation physiologist, you should proceed as follows:

1. Have the aircrew member put on the torso harness. Ensure that the main sling saddle is under the buttocks.

2. Check the location of the male Koch fittings. The optimum location of the male Koch is in the cavity/hollow below the clavicle (collar bone) when the aircrew member is standing or sitting.

3. Adjust the main sling webbing (it is that portion of the main sling located between the leg strap and the chest strap), as shown in figure 4-14; it should be flush to the torso with no bulging or surplus webbing evident. This condition should exist when standing, sitting, or in a hanging position.

4. Ensure that the chest strap does not cross the torso above the armpit when the aircrew member is standing or suspended; it should not be below the breast of the female aircrew member.

5. Inspect the diagonal back strap D-rings (fig. 4-14), and assure that they are positioned in the same horizontal plane and equally spaced from the center of the back.

6. When the aircrew member has completed the final adjustment of the harness, the cinch straps are adjusted to a snug position.

With the aircrew member wearing his/her own flight helmet, suspend him/her a few inches above the deck using a riser assembly with a 12-inch cross-connector strap. Inspect the chest strap, main sling, diagonal back strap adjustable links, and main sling saddle for proper position. Observe closely the aircrew member's weight distribution in the harness. The main sling saddle, when properly positioned, supports the body weight much like sitting in a swing. Weight stress is carried from the main sling saddle up through

Figure 4-14.-MA-2 torso nomenclature.

the main sling to the canopy release fittings and riser assembly. Observe that when suspended, the aircrew member's body has not shifted out of the main sling saddle.