Observing on the Garda Síochána helicopter

omg a kitty

Ok, I know I'm gonna take a lot of bashing in this forum for being a total newbie but here goes.
I'm a TY student interested in Aerchor Cadetship (yes, I know its very difficult:o)

I was talking to a Dublin Fire Brigade paramedic and when I told him about my ambition, he told me that if I write to my local Garda Superintendent asking them if I can fly in one of the Garda 135s as an observer, he might pass it on to GASU and they could take me with them for one flight.

Does anybody know if this is true? or anyone who did this?

xflyer

Only Jimmy Saville could have organised that for you and now he's dead.

One thing, I'll pick you up on, politely because others might not be. It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish; Aer chor. Important to get little things like that right if you want a career in the Air Corps.

Forget your local Super, he neither knows nor cares and probably would want to get one of his kids in the Chopper first. In any case the Air Corps fly the thing so they're the first port of call.

Write to the Air Corps and ask for a tour of the base and the GASU operation. That is possible particularly if a group is organised. I would seriously doubt you'll get a joyride in the helicopter. But nothing ventured nothing gained.

I don't know who the contact in the Air Corps is but someone here knows and will be along shortly.

ian_m

xflyer wrote: »

I would seriously doubt you'll get a joyride in the helicopter.

And if you do there will be about 50 of us right behind you... :pac:

phonypony

As with xflyer's post, politely- I notice your 'Location: Dublin <--- kip'. I don't think they'd appreciate that... In the Air Corps, you will be required to defend this 'kip'.

About the trip in the heli, you never know with these things, I've seen TV shows where they treat kids to it for no apparent reason. I'm sure a TY student who shows a genuine interest in a career should get at least SOMETHING from a request!

omg a kitty

xflyer wrote: »

Only Jimmy Saville could have organised that for you and now he's dead.

One thing, I'll pick you up on, politely because others might not be. It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish; Aer chor. Important to get little things like that right if you want a career in the Air Corps.

Forget your local Super, he neither knows nor cares and probably would want to get one of his kids in the Chopper first. In any case the Air Corps fly the thing so they're the first port of call.

Write to the Air Corps and ask for a tour of the base and the GASU operation. That is possible particularly if a group is organised. I would seriously doubt you'll get a joyride in the helicopter. But nothing ventured nothing gained.

I don't know who the contact in the Air Corps is but someone here knows and will be along shortly.

I got a thorough tour of the base last month (TY Work experience programme). I was in most of the planes, except the Lear, 135s and PC 9s(ejector seats..) , saw the grounded Beechcraft and the old Allouette too
But I'm looking for an actual flight. But I guess youre right, no point writing to the Garda.
I have my contact number in the Air Corps, I guess I'll ring him up and ask him if theres any other opportunies.
And sorry I knew the Irish and English names, preferred the Irish but I gues i left out the space haha (mobile)

omg a kitty

phonypony wrote: »

As with xflyer's post, politely- I notice your 'Location: Dublin <--- kip'. I don't think they'd appreciate that... In the Air Corps, you will be required to defend this 'kip'.

About the trip in the heli, you never know with these things, I've seen TV shows where they treat kids to it for no apparent reason. I'm sure a TY student who shows a genuine interest in a career should get at least SOMETHING from a request!

Childish moment..:o
I do have a genuine interest, hence why I tried to get work exp in the Air Corps and got in..there were 18 people in my group and 16 of them got in by knowing somebody in the Air Corps, I was one of the other 2.

phonypony

omg a kitty wrote: »

Childish moment..:o
I do have a genuine interest, hence why I tried to get work exp in the Air Corps and got in..there were 18 people in my group and 16 of them got in by knowing somebody in the Air Corps, I was one of the other 2.

Good on ya! I suspect admissions to the cadets may well be 'who you know' in many respects too. So other than doing well in your LC, it's all about attitude and motivation. If I was constantly being contacted by someone who wanted something that bad, I'd probably eventually give in, so it can't hurt to get in touch, especially as you already have a contact there!

omg a kitty

phonypony wrote: »

Good on ya! I suspect admissions to the cadets may well be 'who you know' in many respects too. So other than doing well in your LC, it's all about attitude and motivation. If I was constantly being contacted by someone who wanted something that bad, I'd probably eventually give in, so it can't hurt to get in touch, especially as you already have a contact there!

Yeah, I guess I'll do that. Phoning up Phoenix Park HQ and writing the letter tomorrow..what have I got to lose?

Thanks guys

Stovepipe

Hi there
The Garda aircraft are not fitted out for casual tourism. Even Donners don't routinely get to go up in it. in fact, casual flights for Donners are scarce enough, compared to what it used to be like.Casual flights for ordinary members of the public are exceedingly rare and usually only given to special cases. Sometimes, accredited film crews such as RTE staff or such like are carried but again this is rare. Usually, there has to be a pretty good reason, acceptable to the GoC, to allow a regular joe to fly in a State aircraft for non-operational reasons.

regards
Stovepipe

FruitLover

xflyer wrote: »

One thing, I'll pick you up on, politely because others might not be. It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish; Aer chor. Important to get little things like that right if you want a career in the Air Corps.

One thing I'll pick you up on, politely (because others might not be): It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish: Aer Chór. Important to get little things like that right if you want to criticise people's spelling.

Owryan

[Quote=xflyer;76081577
One thing, I'll pick you up on, politely because others might not be. It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish; Aer chor. Important to get little things like that right if you want a career in the Air Corps. [/Quote]

There was me about to look up "aerchor"

I think it might be more important to know the history and workings of the air corps and what aircraft it operates rather than trying to pin your hopes on a cadetship on the fact you ve been up in one of their a/c.

I would imagine 99% of those looking for a cadetship will be in the same position as you. Knowledge and enthusiasim still count for a lot

Turner

omg a kitty wrote: »

Ok, I know I'm gonna take a lot of bashing in this forum for being a total newbie but here goes.
I'm a TY student interested in Aerchor Cadetship (yes, I know its very difficult:o)

I was talking to a Dublin Fire Brigade paramedic and when I told him about my ambition, he told me that if I write to my local Garda Superintendent asking them if I can fly in one of the Garda 135s as an observer, he might pass it on to GASU and they could take me with them for one flight.

Does anybody know if this is true? or anyone who did this?

O/p write to the Superintendent of the Operational Support Unit, An Garda Siochana, Pheonix Park.

He is in charge of the Air Support Unit.

presume you have seen this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D65Krd48wyo

It is very easy for ordinary members of the Gardai to get a spin in the chopper (for operational reasons obviously)

I have never heard of transition year students being allowed but if you dont ask the Superintendent you will never know.

A simple letter and maybe a covering letter from your principle or year head.

omg a kitty

Stovepipe wrote: »

Hi there
The Garda aircraft are not fitted out for casual tourism. Even Donners don't routinely get to go up in it. in fact, casual flights for Donners are scarce enough, compared to what it used to be like.Casual flights for ordinary members of the public are exceedingly rare and usually only given to special cases. Sometimes, accredited film crews such as RTE staff or such like are carried but again this is rare. Usually, there has to be a pretty good reason, acceptable to the GoC, to allow a regular joe to fly in a State aircraft for non-operational reasons.

regards
Stovepipe

Never even dreamt of a casual tour haha
Was thinking of just tagging along on a routine flight

omg a kitty

Turner wrote: »

O/p write to the Superintendent of the Operational Support Unit, An Garda Siochana, Pheonix Park.

He is in charge of the Air Support Unit.

It is very easy for ordinary members of the Gardai to get a spin in the chopper (for operational reasons obviously)

I have never heard of transition year students being allowed but if you dont ask the Superintendent you will never know.

A simple letter and maybe a covering letter from your principle or year head.

Just called about 10 different garda offices, I think I finally got his office phone number, no answer atm, I'll try tomorrow
Thanks for your reply, really helped

Stovepipe

You don't appear to understand the meaning of the word "casual". Unless you occupy a seat as an operational member of a crew, then you're nothing but a tourist, unless you are there to do a task such as operate a film camera or to record the parameters for a post-inspection test flight or you are air or ground crew being carried as a passenger to collect an aircraft somewhere else. If you get carried in the Garda helicopter, you are qualified for none of the above, so you are not even supernumary crew so you're there as a tourist. Quite why you insist on trying for a flight in the Garda helicopter, when you already had access to the entire Air Corps fleet, I don't understand.
To those who are being pedantic about the spelling of the Air Corps' name, get over yourselves. He'd need to be a lot more aware of the AC's role than just where the fada goes.

regards
Stovepipe

omg a kitty

Stovepipe wrote: »

Quite why you insist on trying for a flight in the Garda helicopter, when you already had access to the entire Air Corps fleet, I don't understand.

I never got to fly in any of them, just poke around for a lil bit and take pictures while being lectured on most of the aircraft. Im truely interested in Aviation and I think this would be a great experience for me if they actually let me

xflyer

FruitLover wrote: »

One thing I'll pick you up on, politely (because others might not be): It's Air Corps with an i in English or in Irish: Aer Chór. Important to get little things like that right if you want to criticise people's spelling.

Ah brought down by a fada, and all I was trying to do was be nice to the kid and seeing off the pedant police who like to have a go. But you're never off the case are you? Talk about missing the point!

I don't even have a bleedin fada on this keyboard....:rolleyes: Just as well no one mentioned Eire, no fada there either.

But back to the point, wouldn't we all like a go in an Air Corps aircraft, but even Stovepipe I wager wouldn't get one despite his service. I got to fly in an Alouette years ago, but they made me carry a rifle and jump out before it landed.

Stovepipe

Hi all,
But why the copper chopper in particular? It's got less room than the other and it's full of Guards ordering breakfast rolls??!!
When I was in, back in the age of steam, I flew regularly, both as crew and as pax. I flew in Alouettes (20), the Gazelle (1), the Dauphin(1), Marchetti (24), Fouga (3),King Air (20+), Casas (20+) and the Cessnas (20+). Those days are gone, I have to pay for my flying now:)

regards
Stovepipe

omg a kitty

Stovepipe wrote: »

Hi all,
But why the copper chopper in particular? It's got less room than the other and it's full of Guards ordering breakfast rolls??!!
When I was in, back in the age of steam, I flew regularly, both as crew and as pax. I flew in Alouettes (20), the Gazelle (1), the Dauphin(1), Marchetti (24), Fouga (3),King Air (20+), Casas (20+) and the Cessnas (20+). Those days are gone, I have to pay for my flying now:)

regards
Stovepipe

Dont know..Where else can a 15 year old get a free heli or fixed wing flight and actually watch the pilots?(please dont say book a holiday with Ryanair )
I'm not being sarcastic, I just wanted any sort of experience and when the paramedic said he heard of people do this..I just thought I'd enquire
Its not that I'm fond of the 135, I'd pick a flight in the CASA over the copper chopper anyday

Lustrum

Try swinging out to Weston or any flight school and asking can you hop in the back with someone going up for a lesson or hour building. I've brought a few people up who are interested in getting into flying so unless whoever you ask is a nob you should have a bit of luck that way.

The other guys who actually got into the Air Corps will tell you how to do it, but I can give you a bit of advice in how not to get in - applied 6 times, got to the last round twice but was never successful. Looking back it was probably because all I wanted to do was fly and didn't have any interest really in military life. So when the time comes that they're interviewing you, make sure you can convince them that you have that interest too, no doubt there will be plenty more like me who were looking for the state to pay for their flying training and you'll have to show that you're not one of them, and can contribute to life in the military

cson

Stovepipe wrote: »

You don't appear to understand the meaning of the word "casual". Unless you occupy a seat as an operational member of a crew, then you're nothing but a tourist, unless you are there to do a task such as operate a film camera or to record the parameters for a post-inspection test flight or you are air or ground crew being carried as a passenger to collect an aircraft somewhere else. If you get carried in the Garda helicopter, you are qualified for none of the above, so you are not even supernumary crew so you're there as a tourist. Quite why you insist on trying for a flight in the Garda helicopter, when you already had access to the entire Air Corps fleet, I don't understand.
To those who are being pedantic about the spelling of the Air Corps' name, get over yourselves. He'd need to be a lot more aware of the AC's role than just where the fada goes.

regards
Stovepipe

It would appear it's more than the pedant police who need to get over themselves.

He's a 15/16 year old who wants a ride in the AGS chopper. Yeah, it probably won't happen but nothing ventured nothing gained. No need for the 'tourist' lecture tbh.

Stovepipe

@cson,
fair enough but trying for the Garda heli is a no-no from day one because it is not fitted out for casual flights. Access to the Garda aircraft is more restricted for security reasons, even to Donners, so a civvy hasn't a hope of getting near it, unless they make an exception. Also, in his last post, he says he'd have a go in anything, which is a change from his original aim. Apart from that, it may be policy in the Don, not to give work experience people a flight. Some airlines and aviation companies do give them a seat, if they have the room.

regards
Stovepipe

Tabnabs

OP, have you considered approaching the CG and asking about going along in Rescue 116? Plenty of room for passengers and routine training flights.

xflyer

Dont know..Where else can a 15 year old get a free heli or fixed wing flight and actually watch the pilots?(please dont say book a holiday with Ryanair )

Well now that's quite different, there are a number of ways that can happen. Lots of teenagers and kids get freebies but it's largely a case of being in the right place at the right time or being related to someone with a connection. I flown with various people beside me while I was working, my son included, although he couldn't see out! It's hard to get into working aircraft for obvious reasons. But it can happen.

However your best bet is at a flying club or a small airfield. Fly ins are a regular thing around the country. Try and visit one, tough without transport I know. But often pilots are amenable to encouraging young pilots.

But at the end of the day the best bet is to find the money and buy a flying lesson. In the end that's how I got my first flight.

omg a kitty

Tabnabs wrote: »

OP, have you considered approaching the CG and asking about going along in Rescue 116? Plenty of room for passengers and routine training flights.

Thanks, yeah. I never really thought about them , like I said I only started enquiring when a guy told me I might be able to get in the 135.

xflyer wrote: »

Well now that's quite different, there are a number of ways that can happen. Lots of teenagers and kids get freebies but it's largely a case of being in the right place at the right time or being related to someone with a connection. I flown with various people beside me while I was working, my son included, although he couldn't see out! It's hard to get into working aircraft for obvious reasons. But it can happen.

Yeah I will try that at some point but I have no relations whatsoever with anybody in aviation

SNAKEDOC

The only students per say that request this flight and get it are students of the gardai while on phase two and when the request is well in advance. while on phase two students are attached to an operational unit in a station for three months then move week too week to specialist units and if the request is granted generally on a busy weekend night the student accompanies a crew on one of the 135's operating as Alpha sierra 1(2). no other "students" are allowed this as its technically part of training. the observer in the helicopter is a garda member while the pilot and co pilot are air corp personnel. why not write to a company that does charters kildare helicopters comes to mind. go on line and research but forget the garda helicopter mate, no chance.

boredbaby

I have to say I admire the OPs enthusiasm in his quest for trying to gain approval for a famil flight (i was that youngfella some years ago!) but getting such a 'jolly' in an operational aircraft (be it military or coastguard) is going to be a non runner for a multitude of reasons (insurance idemnity, stipulations in ops manuals etc.)

I think your best bet is to save up a few quid or ask Santa nicely for a trial flying lesson with a flying school. You will learn a lot from it and get proper hands on control of the aircraft.

I wish you the best of luck with your future aviation pursuit.

omg a kitty

boredbaby wrote: »

I have to say I admire the OPs enthusiasm in his quest for trying to gain approval for a famil flight (i was that youngfella some years ago!) but getting such a 'jolly' in an operational aircraft (be it military or coastguard) is going to be a non runner for a multitude of reasons (insurance idemnity, stipulations in ops manuals etc.)

I think your best bet is to save up a few quid or ask Santa nicely for a trial flying lesson with a flying school. You will learn a lot from it and get proper hands on control of the aircraft.

I wish you the best of luck with your future aviation pursuit.

Thanks, but like I said theres no harm in trying, finally got the address for the superintendent of the Operation Support Unit, writing to him today.
Rang up the CG yesterday, left my name and phone number to the lady who said she'll get someone to ring me back.

I'll have to wait till I'm 16 for a proper lesson wont I?
I was under the impression it was 16 for an SPL

phonypony

omg a kitty wrote: »

I'll have to wait till I'm 16 for a proper lesson wont I?
I was under the impression it was 16 for an SPL

no, you can go ahead and get a lesson and log the time without an SPL. You'll need that before going solo though

Lustrum

You can begin to log time from 15, but can't get a SPL until 16

FruitLover

xflyer wrote: »

Ah brought down by a fada, and all I was trying to do was be nice to the kid and seeing off the pedant police who like to have a go. But you're never off the case are you? Talk about missing the point

Looked like you were first Pedant Officer on the scene, I was just backup.