The system provides nearly 100 percent video monitoring of aircraft outside the hangar. The only daily attention comes in replacing two videotapes. Because the system is monitoring the area constantly, if a mishap does occur with an aircraft, investigators can review the chain of events leading up to the mishap. The information captured by the monitoring system can also be viewed live on the Sikorsky in-house cable network. Engineers can tune to a pre-set channel and observe testing of aircraft on the pad or in flight over the flight area.
Daily video captured by the system is archived for six months unless it is requested.
Nineteen of the cameras are enclosed in two weather tight boxes on the catwalk railing of the control tower. The boxes were fabricated by DMC with the help of Shop Foreman Roy Detlefsen, Leadmen Frank Suller and Jim Tabak, Welder Gary Sharik, and Sheet Metal Mechanic Tim Leant. The time between the identification of the need and installation was four years. Armed with the equipment-costing data and his background of installing monitoring systems as a Motorola employee, Ed felt that Sikorsky was about too spend too much money. I determined the required number of cameras, the camera locations, and total cost.