below the main hoisting sheaves. An arrangement of
hoisting and idler sheaves in the upper end of the
elevator trunk allows the platform to be raised flush
with the flight deck. Safety devices of upper-stage
elevators are essentially identical to those for
lower-stage elevators.
Control equipment for upper-stage elevators are
essentially identical to those for lower-stage elevators.
Operator control panels are located at each station
served.
Weapons Elevator Maintenance and Safety
The
weapons
department
is
responsible
for
maintaining all weapons elevators aboard aircraft
carriers. As an AO, you will perform preventive
maintenance and repair elevator systems. The IWHS
elevators
are
located
close
to
the
5,500-pound
elevators. Consequently, the same personnel are
required to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot both
types of elevators, even though they differ significantly
in design and level of sophistication.
Although the primary responsibility of elevator
maintenance rests with the AO, some maintenance
procedures require the assistance of personnel within
other ratings, such as Machinist Mate (MM) and
Electricians Mate (EM). When this requirement exists,
it is noted on the PMS card.
All electrical power requirements for the weapons
handling system come from the ship's service 440-volt,
three-phase, 60-hertz power supplied throughout the
system. Ship's service power is converted to other ac
and dc voltages by either the controllers or control
panels to meet system equipment requirements.
For the safety of maintenance personnel, the
tag-out and tag-in system has been established. The
steps within this system are standardized throughout
the Navy. You should comply with your ship's tag-out
procedures to ensure safety.
Ship's service sound-powered telephones are
located at each operator control station. They are used
to supplement weapons handling system control
indicators and coordinate operations between various
deck levels. An elevator must not be dispatched from
one deck to another until communications between the
sending operator and receiving operator have been
established.
In addition to OJT, most commands require that all
personnel operating elevators possess a valid operator’s
license. The license should reflect the type(s) of
elevator(s) the individual is authorized to operate. For
example, an operator may be authorized to operate all
elevator systems at any control station, or an individual
with less training may only be authorized to operate the
5,500-pound elevator systems at any station except the
2nd deck main control station.
REVIEW NUMBER 3
Q1.
What decks are serviced by lower-stage
elevators?
Q2.
What device is used to bridge the gap in the
door opening between an elevator platform
and the deck?
Q3.
If an elevator suspension rope breaks, what
mechanism automatically operates to lock the
platform to the guide rails?
Q4.
If an elevator over travels upward beyond the
maximum up-stage position, what device
actuates, stopping the elevator and shutting
off power to the hoisting winch?
Q5.
Upper-stage
elevators
are
used
__________________.
Q6.
What decks are serviced by IWHS lower-stage
elevators?
Q7.
The
platform
machinery
for
an
IWHS
lower-stage elevator is located on the ____
deck.
Q8.
The only weapons elevators that provide
access
to
the
flight
deck
are
the
___________.
Q9.
The primary responsibility for maintaining
weapons elevators belongs to the ____ rate.
Q10.
What electrical power is required to operate
the weapons elevators?
WEAPONS MOVEMENT
The movement of ammunition consists of routine
operations such as intramagazine movement and
movement of weapons and components in support of
flight operations. It may also consist of major
evolutions, such as ship rearmament or major loading
and off-loading operations. Regardless of the size of the
operation, anytime weapons or explosives are removed
from
their
proper
stowage
environment,
the
opportunity for the occurrence of an ordnance mishap
is much greater. Therefore, one of the most important
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