Sikorsky completes S92 for Irish SAR

Nforce

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has completed production of an S-92® helicopter for operation by CHC Helicopter on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Equipped for dedicated search and rescue (SAR) operations, the helicopter will provide coverage for deep Atlantic Ocean missions, service Ireland’s offshore islands, and provide rescue cover from Cork to Galway on the country’s west coast. Based at Shannon, the new aircraft will replace the current Coast Guard SAR helicopter, a Sikorsky S-61™ helicopter, which has given 20 years of unbroken service.

Sikorsky and CHC formalized the purchase today in the presence of Chris Reynolds, Irish Coast Guard Director, during a hand-over ceremony at Sikorsky’s S-92 commercial helicopter assembly facility in Coatesville, Pa.

Mr. Reynolds said that the delivery of the new helicopter to service some of the roughest and treacherous ocean waters in the world represents a stepped improvement in Ireland’s ability to care for and service its seagoing, coastal and island communities.

“We selected CHC and the Sikorsky S-92 as our preferred combination after an intense tender and selection process, and I am very happy that the Coast Guard will operate what I consider to be the leading SAR helicopter in the world,” added Mr. Reynolds.

As a dedicated search and rescue platform, the S-92 aircraft is equipped with advanced systems and hardware, including an automated flight control system that enables the pilot to fly pre-programmed search patterns and perform delicate hover maneuvers; a wireless intercom allowing a rescue swimmer to communicate with the crew; radio transceivers to communicate with ships, police and other emergency rescue services; a weather radar; a forward looking infrared sensor; and a digital video system to record rescues. The aircraft also comes with a dual rescue hoist, single or dual 220-gallon internal auxiliary fuel tanks, three litters, and a Spectrolab rescue searchlight.

Specified by the Irish Coast Guard, the S-92 helicopter is the first to be purchased by CHC for SAR operations in Ireland. CHC will utilize four additional S-92 SAR aircraft which will become operational out of Sligo, Waterford and Dublin airports over time.

CHC currently provides 24/7 search and rescue helicopter service for the Irish Coast Guard using six S-61 SAR helicopters based at Dublin, Shannon, Waterford and Sligo.

CHC Regional Director Nick Mair said this was a very proud day for CHC in Ireland, adding that the dedicated team of professional men and women on the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service has worked hard to bring this key milestone in the delivery program to pass.

The aircraft accepted today is the 33rd S-92 helicopter CHC has purchased from Sikorsky Aircraft since 2004, and the fifth dedicated SAR aircraft. CHC also operates four S-92 SAR aircraft in Scotland under contract to Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

“We are honored by the combined confidence the Irish Coast Guard and CHC have in the S-92 helicopter as the platform of choice to save lives,” said Ed Beyer, Vice President for Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “We remain committed to building the world’s most reliable and capable search and rescue helicopter.”

Sikorsky has delivered 151 S-92 aircraft to operators worldwide since 2004. Of those aircraft, 25 are engaged in SAR operations. The 151-aircraft fleet has accumulated a total of 370,000 flight hours. Aircraft availability stands at 95 percent.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

http://www.helihub.com/2011/12/22/sikorsky-completes-s92-for-irish-sar/

squonk

Why has it got an N reg if it's to operate in Ireland?

Klunk001

Because it is still currently in the US.

RadioRetro

I understood previously that the S92s were going to be re-assigned from Scotland to Ireland, has that been cancelled and new choppers will be purchased? Or is it a combination of the two?

Klunk001

A combination of the two.

donvito99

Green stripe is a nice touch!

boredbaby

And to think that the government deems it acceptable for the tax payer to foot the bill for the purchase of these new helis for CHC who potentially can walk away with full ownership of the aircraft at the end of the contract period.

Im delighted for the coast guard lads to be having the venerable S61 replaced. They deserve the extra safety afforded by a more modern machine, but having the Irish taxpayer purchase the helis for this company to provide a service they tendered for is a farce.

Now, I wonder if I could convince the government to buy me a few helis so I can set up my own business...hmmm....

xflyer

squonk wrote: »

Why has it got an N reg if it's to operate in Ireland?

Soon to be EI-ICG

Nforce

xflyer wrote: »

Soon to be EI-ICG

Next month,I believe

Klunk001

boredbaby wrote: »

And to think that the government deems it acceptable for the tax payer to foot the bill for the purchase of these new helis for CHC who potentially can walk away with full ownership of the aircraft at the end of the contract period

Sorry BB, you have lost me

McWotever

boredbaby wrote: »

And to think that the government deems it acceptable for the tax payer to foot the bill for the purchase of these new helis for CHC who potentially can walk away with full ownership of the aircraft at the end of the contract period.

"Specified by the Irish Coast Guard, the S-92 helicopter is the first to be purchased by CHC for SAR operations in Ireland"

Unless you have different information?

xflyer

Unless you have different information?

Just a different spin.

veetwin

Anyone have any idea how it gets from Pa to Shannon?

Leonidas BL

Anyone no when Sligo gets there one?

Nforce

veetwin wrote: »

Anyone have any idea how it gets from Pa to Shannon?

Rotors removed and airlifted by a suitable cargo aircraft (An-124 etc)

Klunk001

veetwin wrote: »

Anyone have any idea how it gets from Pa to Shannon?

Across the pond by ship I believe.

Quaderno

Leonidas BL wrote: »

Anyone know when Sligo gets their one?

According to this article in todays Irish Times the handover of the other machines is scheduled for 2013, although it seems this date could well change depending on the developments in Britain. They also write that the new one will be shipped to Southampton "early next month", assembled there and then flown back to Ireland.

cocoshovel

veetwin wrote: »

Anyone have any idea how it gets from Pa to Shannon?

Would be deadly flying it trans-Atlantic or up through Greenland :eek:

Quaderno

In the context of the imminent delivery I find it very interesting to look back a decade.

Leonidas BL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ObZA4PT1b4

A short clip on the UK SAR S-92..
Lovely lookin beast if you ask me.

xflyer

Quaderno wrote: »

In the context of the imminent delivery I find it very interesting to look back a decade.

Ironic really, we eventually get the helicopters we needed. Although it has to be said that even if they were delivered it's unlikely that the Air Corps would have held onto them given the way things worked out.

punchdrunk

Quaderno wrote: »

In the context of the imminent delivery I find it very interesting to look back a decade.

The Air Corps had their shot with The leased S-61 and they blew it,
I don't think them getting the S-92's would have made a blind bit of difference to that situation to be honest...

mickptre

boredbaby wrote: »

And to think that the government deems it acceptable for the tax payer to foot the bill for the purchase of these new helis for CHC who potentially can walk away with full ownership of the aircraft at the end of the contract period.

Im delighted for the coast guard lads to be having the venerable S61 replaced. They deserve the extra safety afforded by a more modern machine, but having the Irish taxpayer purchase the helis for this company to provide a service they tendered for is a farce.

Now, I wonder if I could convince the government to buy me a few helis so I can set up my own business...hmmm....

God forbid that one day your lying on your back in the Irish sea and one of these S92s hover over your head and save your ass...you will be one hell of a grateful taxpayer.

mickptre

Nforce wrote: »

Rotors removed and airlifted by a suitable cargo aircraft (An-124 etc)

Nope..by sea to UK and then fly to Ireland after assembly

Sterling Archer

Any idea when it's due to touch down in shannon

CaptainSkidmark

Just in time id say! Rescue 115 had to leave us in Union Hall today with gearbox Issues

Run_to_da_hills

Nforce wrote: »

Rotors removed and airlifted by a suitable cargo aircraft (An-124 etc)

Another waste of taxpayers money. Why can't it be shipped?

CIE did the same publicity stunt with the delivery of the 1st 201 Class Locomotive from Ontario. The cost of the trip alone at the time would have purchased another locomotive.

Quaderno

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Another waste of taxpayers money. Why can't it be shipped?

As had been mentioned earlier: it will be shipped.

Klunk001

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Another waste of taxpayers money. Why can't it be shipped?

savagecabbages

Quaderno wrote: »

As had been mentioned earlier: it will be shipped.

Not that it matters how it is shipped, the taxpayers are paying a fixed amount for the service under the SAR contract, regardless of how it is delivered. They could be flown via the moon for all the difference to the taxpayer it would make:rolleyes:

Axes still have to be ground I suppose...

westdub

Shane_ef wrote: »

Any idea when it's due to touch down in shannon

I believe its due to arrive into Shannon at 17.30 tomorrow the 30th of Jan..

Due to leave Lee on Solent tomorrow at 15:00....

westdub

Sorry... Got my dates mixed up.. It arrived today...:rolleyes:

Sterling Archer

nevermind

Johnny901

Photos from Shannon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/

tippilot

Looks great! Any ideal when full operational capability will be achieved and the '61's stood down?

vulcan57

tippilot wrote: »

Looks great! Anyideal when full operational capability willbe achieved and the '61's stood down?

I believe that it will be July 1st

roundymac

Contract due to start in July, the 21st could be correct. A lot of training to be done between this and then AFAIK the cpt must have 250hrs and the P1 50hrs on type before it can be operational.

sonyair

rte news piece at shannon


http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2012/0130/media-3183755.html#

Quaderno

I just spotted the new beauty over Tralee for the first time. It's heading out into Dingle bay right now. Maybe they will be back at Kerry General later tonight, then I will try to snap some pictures...

kub

sonyair wrote: »

rte news piece at shannon


http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2012/0130/media-3183755.html#

'Its replacing an older helicopter which has been operating out of Shannon for the last 21 years'

Is that comment correct or am I getting old? Is the ICG operating that service that long? I was thinking they took over from Aer Corp approx 10 years ago?

savagecabbages

kub wrote: »

'Its replacing an older helicopter which has been operating out of Shannon for the last 21 years'

Is that comment correct or am I getting old? Is the ICG operating that service that long? I was thinking they took over from Aer Corp approx 10 years ago?

Irish Helicopters were the first private company IIRC, starting in the early 90s?? with this machine:
http://www.irishairpics.com/images/iap_images/1037213.jpg (the image is massive so I linked it...)

There might have been another operator in between Irish Helicopters and CHC, but I dont know..
DId the Aer Corps ever operate(base) out of Shannon?

Edit: Irish Helicopters->Bond->CHC

eyeinthesky

I maybe wrong but i think Bond Helicopters filled the position between Irish Helicopters and CHC.

punchdrunk

The air corps operated out of Shannon from approx 1989 until 1991,the Dauphin that was posted there to operate a SAR service was found wanting
(too small,not enough range,no FLIR)

here's a pic of the first crew



4thsept 1989

Quebec Delta Mike

Lovely to see the old crew from "The Don"...

BTW, plenty of photo opportunities coming up this week in EIWT...:eek:

QDM

xflyer

What's happening in Weston? Is it just the Cheltenham traffic?

Quebec Delta Mike

xflyer wrote: »

What's happening in Weston? Is it just the Cheltenham traffic?

...mmm a bit of that all right....SAR fans will wet themselves...:)

QDM

westdub

Quebec Delta Mike wrote: »

...mmm a bit of that all right....SAR fans will wet themselves...:)

QDM

Why bother saying anything at all if your not willing to share the information?? :rolleyes:

conork93

Quebec Delta Mike wrote: »

...mmm a bit of that all right....SAR fans will wet themselves...:)

QDM

I'm a SAR fan ...do tell us ....

Nforce

QDM is likely referring to the upcoming SAR demonstration

dowlingm

Re: S-92.
http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/aviation/2011/comm_a09a0016.asp

Quebec Delta Mike

Nforce is correct..the Iolar is at Weston 'till tomorrow...bring a camera on Thursday though...:D

(Is westdub always so tetchy ??)

QDM