Wonder will this effect any of the current bases and Crews
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f9647-government-announces-preferred-tenderer-for-the-provision-of-the-new-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-aviation-contract/
New livery AW189 and fixed wing revealed.
Wonder will the 5 Helis follow EI-IRG (U A R D) again. Slight detail I liked.
Edit - It's 6 Heli this time it seems.
They might go for such a sequence as long as the desired marks haven't been used before. I don't think that's a real photo, by the way, and so far one aircraft has been registered EI-HKT, though it may be for training purposes only.
lol EI-IRA
The EI-HKT (ex G-OENC) is already deregistered if I'm right. That aircraft got a Irish registration for Bristow to receive their AOC for the AW189. Its currently in Yeovil where it will be reconfigurated from offshore to SAR. Afterwards, it will join the Dutch Coast Guard.
Thanks for that info. EI-HKT was still registered as of the latest (31 January) online listing from the IAA but may since have been de-registered, as you suggest.
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/05/08/fears-weston-search-and-rescue-base-would-cause-farm-deaths/
There is no need to move from Dublin either way, those Hangers at the SAR Ramp are practically new, stupidity.
550 to 580 flights per year? That won't go down well with locals.
surely the res. ass. could come up with a better argument than climate change. So we shouldn't rescue people because of some concern for the environment but no doubt those residents drive cars and go on foreign holidays. And if its based at Dub, well sure thats fine.
Why can't they move the operation to Casement?
That is the question is it not.
Invest in state infrastructure that may be useful to the state over all rather than a private company.
Nah that makes sense, so will never happen.
Id imagine Casement wont allow it.
Not sure if anything new but Weston, more Weston
https://afloat.ie/safety/coastguard/item/64317-bristow-seeks-to-reassure-staff-on-search-and-rescue-transition-and-says-weston-more-suitable?fbclid=IwY2xjawEpUahleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWPouwrUfUh4ZFUURt61dpyt_st1bZpcRbjLAsnBEPYOrtuLk4kmi_JFWw_aem_s9g-bIefcGHWvz6hdbE9tQ
A big rescue chopper just went in to Weston. It sure was loud!
The 189s are quite a bit louder than the 92s from my experience of hearing both, the 92s a lot.
lol big 🤣 AW189 is not big.
Big compared to what normally goes into Weston. If its louder than an s92, I suspect it that is going to cause trouble for the planning permission for the new sar facility.
Planning permission has already been granted by the local authority, though of course appeals are still possible (and indeed likely). The PP deals with the construction of the facilities rather than what type of aircraft may use them and the type was already known in any case. Therefore I don't think the noise of the AW189 is likely to be material.
Thats good news, hadn't heard that. Is Weston currently allowed operate 24/7, hopefully no operating hour restrictions conditions are applied to the final permission.
It's usually 8am to 8pm. Basically can't operate at night. But I'm sure that won't stop a rescue helicopter taking off.
I wasn't aware of that. I'm used to hearing the regular heli's in/out of Baldonnel.
The S92 anywhere near me was easily identified by the "heavier bass" sound.
Regarding Weston being more suitable:
Do the S92s now cause some disruption to flights at DUB if scrambled at short notice, considering they are now sandwiched between the two runways, or do they fly a longer route to avoid arrivals and departures?
If they are tasked "priority" then everyone else moves out of the way (terms and conditions apply)
I herd them several time declaring priority with Shannon when transiting the Zone to Galway with a patient for UHG they cover from Co Clare to Athlone to Donegal for critical care patients for Galway that's why it's so busy here.
I’m sure Shannon were able to fit them in between movements quite easily 😈
So will Dublin if they declare priority.
You cant put a restriction on Search & Rescue.
Is there actual legal protection for that or just an opinion. I really hope you're right and the new base doesn't get delayed.
looks 1/2 the size of the old s92
How many people can it rescue at once
Had read online that the capabilities aren't that disimilar even with the size difference.
S92 =19 passengers, AW139 =15 pax.
Size; 20m x 5.26m vs 16m x 2.6m
Range; 539 nmi (998 km) vs 573 nmi (1,061 km)
Speed: 306 km/h vs 310 km/h
Gross Weight; 12,200kg vs 7,000kg (there is a 6400kg version too)
Wikipedia give the AW139 an endurance of over 5 hours, no figure given for the S92.
