Air Corps SAR

There was talk of options for an extra 2 AW139s, to bring the total to 8, at the time they were ordered.. Would it still be an option to exercise this to provide for EAS or has it lapsed at this stage

Why do you think the AC needs two further 139s?

Dohvolle wrote: »

I think they would be better off with 4 or more of a larger type. Not Quite EH101 or S92, but more along the lines of NH90 (just not NH90).

Defo not the NH90.

Fritzbox wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with the NH90 - excellent machine.

Far from excellent, plenty of issues with them.


https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/belgium-hits-out-over-poor-industrial-support-as-it-cuts-nh90-tth-helicopter-flights/139062.article

"Belgium has delivered stinging criticism of the NH Industries (NHI) consortium, blaming a lack of industrial support, low availability rates and looming costly upgrades for its decision to slash by 40% operations of the four NH90 troop transport helicopters flown by the Belgian Air Component."



https://www.newsinenglish.no/2019/01/28/grilling-begins-over-helicopter-scandal/



https://www.key.aero/forum/modern-military-aviation/147573-nh90-yay-or-nay


"Clearance is so limited that soldiers have trouble getting in and out of the helicopter; the rear ramp is too weak to support fully equipped soldiers; the plane's floor is so sensitive that it can be cracked by boots; and the seats are unable to accommodate more than 240 pounds".

"The unreliability and under-*performance of two of Australia’s military helicopter fleets has caused a lack of jobs for pilots and a reduction in training operations at Army Aviation.

These are the latest problems to be associated with the Tiger attack and reconnaissance helicopter and the troop transport MRH-90 Taipan, according to notes in the Defence Department’s annual *report.
The report singles out the MRH-90, saying “reliability, availability and maintainability deficiencies continued to impact the fleet”.

Blackhawks are a no no, as Don Lavery on Twitter said when he asked about them the response he got was along the lines of "They are too warlike".

jonnybigwallet wrote: »

A few of them Apatches would come in a bit handy and all out in Syria Lebanon etc.

Go back to bed lad.

As i was reading through all of these posts R117 was flying over my house, IMO leave it as it is.

MAULBROOK wrote: »

As i was reading through all of these posts R117 was flying over my house, IMO leave it as it is.

Training flight to Wicklow.

Thats well said Jonny.

We wish the very same to all our service personnel working hard at home and abroad. May they get the support they deserve.

Fritzbox wrote: »

Why does the Air Corps have such a problem recruiting and retaining staff?

There is genuinely not enough hours in the day to get into the weeds with this.

Pay, pensions and conditions is the primary reason, particularly amongst enlisted personnel who makes up almost all personnel involved in maintenance.

It is not a problem unique to Ireland. Air Forces/Corps all over the world struggle to retain personnel, primarily due to pay.

The largest, most powerful air force in the world (the USAF) has issues retaining personnel. Same with the UK armed forces.

my three: aircraft mechs are for servicing, overhauling and maintaining of complex devices called aircraft, in the hangar or on the line;not guard duties, going to the range, going on parades, sent on guards of honour for alleged dignitaries, day labourers, cleaners of rooms and buildings, security at airshows, cleaners of dining room pots and pans, scrubbers of floors, etc,etc and subject to the scrutiny of everyone not concerned with their jobs. They do not need to be constantly checked for the condition of their uniforms. I have one uniform and I never have any problem getting bits of it replaced. In the Military, it was always a problem and going to Stores for replacement was always a teeth-grinding experience........They do not need to be subject to the whims of storemen and clerks,who think that they should not be issued with kit or equipment essential to their job. They should have enough tools to do the job and the Company will move heaven and earth to keep the tools and kit available because aircraft on the ground are expensive beasts. They should get compensated for shifts/unsocial hours/absence from home and family properly. They are highly
and expensively trained,highly educated skilled people and should not be treated as if they are day labourers standing outside a pub in Kilburn.

Historical note: the RAF took aircraft techs off guard duties and other non-relevant tasks in 1954,as the loss rate of skilled people was draining the force dry and the exit interviews concluded that constantly being taken off the job for guards and cleaning and polishing and parades was eating away at morale. It annoyed techs no end and drove up the unserviceability rate as aircraft grew more complex and needed greater attention to detail.
They also do not need 16 week courses in the Glen of Imaal or the Curragh to qualify them for promotion. Quite how learning to fire an anti tank rocket or conduct a platoon in attack is relevant to aircraft maintenance escapes me. The RAF have had technical courses for promotion since the day they were founded.

This does not mean to say, by a long shot, that airlines and civvy maintenance firms are shining examples of places to work in. A lot of them are awful but none of them would interfere with the working day of aircraft techs the way the military does.

In this day of drone surveillance and first class camera technology, not to mind good fences and other types of barriers,every Mil installation in the country could be guarded by CCTV, remote sensors and the occasional mobile patrol. Every decent airport operates that way. The DF in general could do that quite easily.
As for the story of that sailor doing mech and elec,well, that's the nature of aircraft engineering and I've no doubt marine engineering is the same. He'd certainly be expected to do both in civvy life. Unless a job requires a very dedicated skill set, any mech or elec should be able to cross-task. As for failing to get his promised appointment, that would need a chat with a senior officer to fix, on the basis that he'd tool up a solicitor if he didn't get what was promised. None of that "if you can't take a joke..." crap. If it's what he was contracted for, the NS haven't a leg to stand on, if he didnt get what was due.

The AC say they can do SAR from Baldonnel for €7.5m per annum, excl. capital cost of new aircraft.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/air-corps-could-provide-maritime-search-and-rescue-service-for-east-coast-1.4531109?mode=amp

However, the document is understood to have made it clear that extra resources and finance would be required, in addition to the current defence budget. Two new medium-lift helicopters would be required to augment the current fleet, at a cost of some €17.5 million each, and possibility a third, costing €14 mllion.

Still, the submission said the no provision was required for the Defence Forces to make a commercial profit from search-and-rescue and noted that spending on airfield services and accommodation would be nominal.

Saying the cost of buying helicopters was non-recurring, the submission set out €3.3 million in annual maintenance costs, €2.4 million per year salary costs for aircrew, €1.5 million in salary costs for headquarters staff and a further €300,000 per year for training and other costs.

Any new aircraft would retain residual value as they would likely remain in service beyond their ordinary 20-year lifespan, it said.

donvito99 wrote: »

The AC say they can do SAR from Baldonnel for €7.5m per annum, excl. capital cost of new aircraft.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/air-corps-could-provide-maritime-search-and-rescue-service-for-east-coast-1.4531109?mode=amp

For the East coast.

roadmaster wrote: »

Would a PC12 be suitable for top cover?

The 3 PC12 Spector's we have are more than perfect for that roll and then some.