Baldonnel visitor 25/06/15

N7777G

Cessna's C208B demonstrator arrived from Cambridge this morning.

https://flic.kr/p/v8tzG7

Wonder will they buy one?

arubex

Mmmm would be a useful 172 replacement. Would that give them an entirely Avtur-fueled fleet then?

martinsvi

I've noticed a Robinson R44 flying around Baldonnel area lately. I've spotted it some 4 times now in a week or two, does that belong to Air-corps? I've never seen a civilian aircraft in the area before. A bell pilot told me he has negotiated his way through once, but generally my impression is that this zone is quite restricted. I'm talking about an area just south from Baldonnel - Citywest/Saggart - generally in EIME circuit for runways 05/23

martinsvi

arubex wrote: »

Mmmm would be a useful 172 replacement. Would that give them an entirely Avtur-fueled fleet then?

I would say those are two VERY different aircraft with very different roles. You wouldn't put your novice cadets into 208 for training

Growler!!!

martinsvi wrote: »

I would say those are two VERY different aircraft with very different roles. You wouldn't put your novice cadets into 208 for training

The PC9 is the primary trainer! Bit more "sporty" than a 208.

martinsvi

Growler!!! wrote: »

The PC9 is the primary trainer! Bit more "sporty" than a 208.

really? you mean to say those new cadets don't get a ppl-like experience on 172 beforehand? jeez, now that's what I call a learning curve...

Growler!!!

martinsvi wrote: »

really? you mean to say those new cadets don't get a ppl-like experience on 172 beforehand? jeez, now that's what I call a learning curve...

Oddly enough, after all their training on top notch gear their first operational duties are on the 172.

Growler!!!

http://www.military.ie/en/education-hq/air-corps-college/flying-training-school/

Spiel on AC Wings cse.

martinsvi

do they not need a SEP class rating to fly C172? or is that just a civilian thing?

Growler!!!

martinsvi wrote: »

do they not need a SEP class rating to fly C172? or is that just a civilian thing?

I'll presume it's a civilian thing as the 3 AC guys I worked with in a previous job had to do CPL and Instrument Ratings when they got out. Both fixed and rotary!

Growler!!!

Anyway as I'm going way off topic, my own opinion is that the C208 would make an ideal multi role aircraft to replace the elderly C172's. The only thing they won't be able to do is fit any underwing stores like the Reims.

arubex

Growler!!! wrote: »

The only thing they won't be able to do is fit any underwing stores like the Reims.

The Caravan is actually cleared for ordnance. I've seen photos with minigun pods and twin Hellfire racks.

The Iraqis use it with onboard sensors as a manned Predator substitute.

Growler!!!

arubex wrote: »

The Caravan is actually cleared for ordnance. I've seen photos with minigun pods and twin Hellfire racks.

The Iraqis use it with onboard sensors as a manned Predator substitute.

Will be some craic in Gormo:D

Looking at the AC last capital purchase they'll just be getting the civi model straight of the shelf so to speak.

martinsvi

martinsvi wrote: »

I've noticed a Robinson R44 flying around Baldonnel area lately. I've spotted it some 4 times now in a week or two, does that belong to Air-corps? I've never seen a civilian aircraft in the area before. A bell pilot told me he has negotiated his way through once, but generally my impression is that this zone is quite restricted. I'm talking about an area just south from Baldonnel - Citywest/Saggart - generally in EIME circuit for runways 05/23

That's G-OCON it's been delivering €10,000 cheques to the winners of TodayFMs "you do the maps competition".

martinsvi

Deleted User wrote: »

That's G-OCON it's been delivering €10,000 cheques to the winners of TodayFMs "you do the maps competition".

I think the one I spotted looked more brown but I could be wrong. What is it doing in the area anyway? Is it based in Baldonnel? Saw it again just an hour or two ago, it comes of the mountains, very low and goes in the direction of Baldonnel. That low height looks very sneaky and suspicious. I see guys from Baldonnel on training every day, they don't go that low, I'd say this guy is just some mere 200 ft agl

eusap

martinsvi wrote: »

I've noticed a Robinson R44 flying around Baldonnel area lately. I've spotted it some 4 times now in a week or two, does that belong to Air-corps? I've never seen a civilian aircraft in the area before. A bell pilot told me he has negotiated his way through once, but generally my impression is that this zone is quite restricted. I'm talking about an area just south from Baldonnel - Citywest/Saggart - generally in EIME circuit for runways 05/23

There is a guy on the lucan to newcastle road that use to land a R44 at the back of the house, not sure if it is still there and its not far from Baldonnel

martinsvi

martinsvi wrote: »

I think the one I spotted looked more brown but I could be wrong. What is it doing in the area anyway? Is it based in Baldonnel? Saw it again just an hour or two ago, it comes of the mountains, very low and goes in the direction of Baldonnel. That low height looks very sneaky and suspicious. I see guys from Baldonnel on training every day, they don't go that low, I'd say this guy is just some mere 200 ft agl

It's going to a hotel in Lucan to pick up someone from TodayFM and then delivering the prize before returning to the hotel and repositioning to Weston.

martinsvi

Deleted User wrote: »

It's going to a hotel in Lucan to pick up someone from TodayFM and then delivering the prize before returning to the hotel and repositioning to Weston.

how does Lucan - Weston trip gets you south from Baldonnel 200-500 agl above housing estates in Saggart every other day? Are all winners based in one tiny part of Dublin or are Baldonnel zone transit procedures that weird?

martinsvi

martinsvi wrote: »

how does Lucan - Weston trip gets you south from Baldonnel 200-500 agl above housing estates in Saggart every other day? Are all winners based in one tiny part of Dublin or are Baldonnel zone transit procedures that weird?

Baldonnel is mostly closed in the evening and prize winners have been all across the country, today's was Mayo but a good few have been Cork and Waterford etc. So a heli over that neck of the woods wouldn't be unusual coming from down south if it was going to Lucan.

martinsvi

ah 'tis season to be jolly.. you can feel it in the air, the big day not that far away. Yes, I'm talking about the Bray airshow, those who live/work close to Baldonnel have probably noticed that PC9 circuit training has been replaced with formation flying practice and I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I heard a Chipmunk or two. Keep your eyes in the skies if in the area. Seeing their hard at work makes you appreciate their display even more!