DOCARCH wrote: » Main purpose for top cover is communication.
ted1 wrote: » Don't fixed wing drop life rafts.
Green Peter wrote: » How does a fixed wing provide top cover, if something happened to 118, what could it really do other than call for coastguard assistance from another unit??
Negative_G wrote: » The AC still maintain a, albeit quite limited, SAR capability. They often conduct both wet and dry winching exercises which are publicised via social media. While they have lost many pilots and aircrew to retirements since the SAR era, it would be incorrect to say they cannot provide that function. The AW139 can be equipped at short notice with a full winching system. The Air Corps have this equipment at their disposal and again it can be seen on social media. I would imagine that the AC are providing a limited service to the east coast until such time as normal service resumes. There was a case, several years ago where a 139 happened to be training in Dublin bay and was tasked to a live rescue which it completed successfully. I can't find a link at this time unfortunately. The capability is there but the reality is that SAR is not a primary role for heli wing. I would agree with other posters that given the size of the contract a fixed wing asset should be provided by CHC to cover all eventualities. I am not sure whether CHC have anything like this in place globally though.
Kalimah wrote: » There's a link at the end of that statement for people to send condolences and good wishes, which I have just done.
cosanostra wrote: » CHC have issues a statement honouring the crew of rescue 116 http://www.chcheli.com/node/71
skallywag wrote: » I would be very surprised if any private helicopter company that offers SAR services would also actively maintain and operate fixed-wing assets for the sole purpose of providing cover. If such a service was to be provided I would imagine that it would be outsourced, with the most suitable candidate for taking it up possibly being the military.
nelly17 wrote: » I don't Belmullet Latest Data Date: 16 Mar 2017 14:17 Sig. Wave Height(M): 4.900 Avg Period(s): 8.042 Direction(°): 281.300 Sea Temp.(°C): 9.650 HMax(M): 6.790 Tmax(s): 7.000 H 1/3(M): 4.560 H10(M): 5.620
Storm 10 wrote: » Air Corps 112 was landing at UHG Galway at 1pm and I never saw so many people stopping their cars and getting out to see it land, I think people will have a new found respect for our rescue services from now on.
Negative_G wrote: » Top cover has two functions. 1. It serves as a line of communications to ATC. It also allows the helicopter to radio details of the patient back to mainland and they can then decide where best to send the patient if they are critically ill. 2. In the event of the rescue helicopter ditching, top cover can route to the scene immediately to initiate a rescue. If a helicopter is used, it can obviously winch survivers to safety provided they know where the helicopter ditched as they would not generally be visual during the operation.A fixed wing Aircraft such as a Casa is a far better platform for long range SAR. It has the ability to shadow the helicopter all the way to and from the coast. It can use on board radar to give the helicopter crew accurate vectors toward the vessel by using AIS, therefore allowing it to potentially gain extra time on station. It can loiter overhead for many hours, keeping "eyes on" the rescue whilst providing the crew with updates and relaying of messages. In the even of a ditching the casa has the ability to deploy life rafts from the aircraft. It can also fire flares to provide illumination. In short, the Casa is far more suitable for long range SAR ops than another helicopter.
Gaoth Laidir wrote: » 6 metres? I doubt that very much.
Shane_ef wrote: » What are the current water conditions? I'm assuming it getting very choppy now
Marine Weather WarningsSTATUS YELLOW Small Craft Warning West to northwest winds will reach force 6 or higher today on coasts from Slyne Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head. Issued: Thursday 16 March 2017 12:00
cosanostra wrote: » "The conditions are too dangerous for diving today due to 6 metre swells. Naval and Garda divers have returned to port" - Fergal O'Brien TV3
sjb25 wrote: » It is a relevant question and I'm sure a big company like CHC will be able to pull a crew from somewhere to cover shifts in the meantime even if an Irish crew is not available the would be able to pull in one of the UK crews (they provide some of the UK coastguard helicopters aswell) if required I'm sure it's all sorted out
jetfiremuck wrote: » Irish Steve wrote: » The SAR service is 24/7/365, so there are a number of crews operating at each base, as there are very specific limits on just about every aspect of duty times and the like. I don't know the shift pattern that they operate, I do know it's one of the reasons why 116 was in the air every day, as from comments made to me by people closer to the operation, at each crew change, the first thing they do is a complete pre flight check so that if a call comes in, they can literally start and go with just a turn round check, rather than having to perform the (much longer) full pre flight check. In addition, they also carry out check flights and training flights, Given employment working time directives and similar legislation, I would anticipate that each station has at least 4 full time crews, and there may then also be some "floating" crews, who can provide cover for illness, scheduled training and holidays, It's also run as a business model and not state run as a body like the air corps
Irish Steve wrote: » The SAR service is 24/7/365, so there are a number of crews operating at each base, as there are very specific limits on just about every aspect of duty times and the like. I don't know the shift pattern that they operate, I do know it's one of the reasons why 116 was in the air every day, as from comments made to me by people closer to the operation, at each crew change, the first thing they do is a complete pre flight check so that if a call comes in, they can literally start and go with just a turn round check, rather than having to perform the (much longer) full pre flight check. In addition, they also carry out check flights and training flights, Given employment working time directives and similar legislation, I would anticipate that each station has at least 4 full time crews, and there may then also be some "floating" crews, who can provide cover for illness, scheduled training and holidays,
jetfiremuck wrote: » 116 has a range of 500 miles or so. why would they need to go towards scene then turn back for fuel as the trawler wasn't that far off shore.. They were after all providing cover only
Gadgetman496 wrote: » Ah, get off you moral horse will you. These people are highly trained devoted professionals and their vocation is to save lives even if it means putting their own at risk. The service is of critical importance and needs to be available regardless of the current tragic circumstances. The existence of a spare craft is testament to that. My question was not in anyway insensitive, It's a life saving service and if it has a spare craft, that craft needs a crew. So it is very reasonable to ask if a full highly trained crew is available to man the spare craft. They are so specialised in what they do, I'd imagine it might be difficult to pull a full crew out of thin air at very short notice? Remember, a spare craft designed to replace a craft scheduled for maintenance would not normally need a crew, the crew from the craft due for service would be ready to man the spare craft. Unfortunately this is not the case in this situation. There may well be individuals available to cover vacations or sick leave etc but a full crew is a big ask so my question is very relevant.
skallywag wrote: » I would be very surprised if any private helicopter company that offers SAR services would also actively maintain and operate fixed-wing assets for the sole purpose of providing cover. If such a service was to be provided I would imagine that it would be outsourced, with the most suitable candidate for taking it up possibly being the military. Who knows, perhaps CHC are paying each time the AC provides cover?
