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Why are east coast SAR Helos restricted to day time

  • 15-04-2010 5:04pm
    #1
    vulcan57
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭


    On TV3 news this evening they said that because of the volcanic ash cloud the SAR helicopters on the East coast e.g. Dublin and Waterford are restricted to day time only and yet the West coast helicopters are not, they are still 24hrs?. In the UK all SAR services are still operational. The ash cloud is estimated at 20,000 feet and above. It can't be because ATC is down as the whole of Irish air space is grounded, so that would include the West coast. Just seems a bit odd.:confused:


Comments

  • #2
    airvan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 167 ✭✭airvan


    It's pefectly logical really. The ash cloud is only affecting the east coast and the north and towards the UK. The west is basically clear. At night you run the risk of flying into an ash cloud quite simply because it's dark.

    ATC isn't down, they just have more time for their knitting.

    You could argue that they are overreacting here in Ireland. On the other hand maybe the British are slower to react will follow suit in due course.

    The main reason that there are no flights from the West or South is simply that the airlines fly higher and in any case are often heading directly for the ash cloud by flying to the UK. SAR is mostly low level. The west coast helicopters may go low level in due course depending on the extent to the ash.


  • #3
    Klunk001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 324 ✭✭Klunk001


    I heard all SAR flights inthe UK were day VMC only also, both Sea Kings and S-92's are equipped with particle seperaters as I understand it, something the S-61 doesn't have.


  • #4
    vulcan57
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭vulcan57


    airvan wrote: »
    It's pefectly logical really. The ash cloud is only affecting the east coast and the north and towards the UK. The west is basically clear.

    Then why close Shannon if the West is clear?? even for flights to the US. And the fact that in the UK all SAR services are operating, or at least the RAF and RN are.
    airvan wrote: »
    You could argue that they are overreacting here in Ireland.

    This could be the reason I suppose, but better to be safe than sorry as they say.


  • #5
    airvan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 167 ✭✭airvan


    Well your answer is that they opened the west for transatlantic and local traffic this morning once it was clear where the ash cloud was heading. That wasn't clear yesterday. It's a fluid situation. This could all change again. They have to take a pessimistic outlook until proved otherwise. Like everything in aviation there is always a huge margin of safety. To the unitiated it looks over the top until there's an accident.


  • #6
    Beeker
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,645 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beeker


    airvan wrote: »
    Well your answer is that they opened the west for transatlantic and local traffic this morning once it was clear where the ash cloud was heading. That wasn't clear yesterday. It's a fluid situation. This could all change again. They have to take a pessimistic outlook until proved otherwise. Like everything in aviation there is always a huge margin of safety. To the unitiated it looks over the top until there's an accident.
    Well said! Safety first and always is the rule.


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  • #7
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,822 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    A coastguard helicopter has flown through the volcanic ash cloud to perform a dramatic rescue from the Shetland Islands.

    The helicopter crew decided to fly through the growing plume despite air traffic controllers grounding thousands of planes across Europe.

    "There was grey mist everywhere and it had a very eggy smell," said a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

    "After discussions with ambulance control we realised that this was a life or death situation with a casualty in a very serious condition, and that reverting to bringing the casualty to hospital via the ferry could mean that medical attention was not received in time," said Martin Sykes, watch manager for the Shetland Coastguard.

    "The helicopter crew made the difficult decision to fly through the clouds of ash, mist, and rain in a bid to save the woman who is now receiving treatment in hospital."

    Upon landing the helicopter was stripped back and given a chemical clean to remove any debris left from the sulphurous cloud.

    As dust continued to spew from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, airlines were last night preparing to ground flights for at least four more days.

    Search and rescue helicopters are still expected to attend emergency calls, as the Sea King helicopters are used to flying at relatively low altitudes and are equipped with sand filters over the engine's air intake.
    source


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