Money-saving idea nets trio nearly $10K Published July 10, 2009 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A little thinking and about a day's work earned three people in the 402nd Maintenance Wing an extra $3,273 each. James Broadnax, an aircraft sheet metal mechanic, Dirk May, an electrical worker, and Charles Ray, an aircraft supervisor, won an Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, award for finding a way to save fuel probes that were previously being condemned. The three probes went in the 700-gallon auxiliary tanks on the F-15E Strike Eagle. The probes tell the pilot how much fuel is in the tank. Previously, when the probes were giving false readings, they were automatically condemned. The cost of the probes range from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on which of the three probes is being condemned. "Everybody knew it was a waste of money but not really what to do about it," Mr. Broadnax said. The three workers came up with a way to adjust and test the probes. It really didn't turn out to be that complicated, Mr. Broadnax said, and it only took about a day to figure it out. They simply disassemble the outer cover of the probe, adjust a screw and then use a multi-tester to make sure that probe is adjusted properly so that it gives an accurate reading. The idea is expected to save the Air Force $65,450 annually. The award is based on 15 percent of the estimated savings. The IDEA program rewards Airmen for ideas that save the service money and resources. Anyone who has an idea that isn't within their job responsibility but saves can receive up to 15 percent of the estimated first-year savings. The award could range from $200 to $10,000.