Messages

1

Irish Air Corps / Irish Air Ambulances

« on: November 07, 2007, 11:13:03 am »

I also agree with the previous comments. This is basically an air ambulance service quite similar to what the Air Corps has been providing. However, I'm sure there will be a nice big bill for the hospital for each job done unlike the Air Corps who dont pass on the cost.

On a similar note Our Lady's Childrens Hospital in Crumlin has started using their helipad again and have set up an agreement with the Air Corps to transfer seriously ill kids from around the country to Crumlin. The EC135's have been in and out Crumlin quite a bit recently both training and on jobs.

2

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: September 23, 2007, 11:48:00 pm »

I was at the ceremony on Friday and as an ex tech in helis I'd like to congradulate all involved in the organisation of the day. I worked on Dauphin, Gazelle and Alouettes in my time in the Don but always preferred The A111. It seemed to have more character than the more modern a/c and servicability wise never seemed to let us down as much as the 365f. Statistics might say different, I don't know, but i always had more faith in the A111 on start up.

Its strenght was its simplicity and basic solutions could be found to a lot of tech problems when stranded away from base. Its ruggedness and willingness to start first time after parking all night in the snow in the open on the square in the barracks in Monaghan was normaly in direct contrast to the delicate condition of the crew after a hectic night before !!!.

However it was time to move on and i'm delighted to see the fleet being modernised. It was long overdue.

3

Irish Air Corps / Allouette III

« on: February 09, 2007, 11:16:39 am »

Gttc
I notice you didn't mention the Depot. Very diplomatic '>

4

Irish Air Corps / Names please

« on: January 23, 2007, 08:22:31 pm »

I stand corrected Claudel. Jeez i didnt think Podge was ever that skinny!!

5

Irish Air Corps / Names please

« on: January 23, 2007, 11:36:50 am »

Tall skinny guy fourth from left looks like Colm Drew 54th Aptce class

6

Irish Air Corps / Alouette III -

« on: June 06, 2006, 09:16:35 pm »

Pilatus

The refernce to the guard and the lotto ticket was my obviously bad attempt at humor. The guard i'm sure thought all his xmas's had come together when the ac he was due to fly in crashed before his eyes whilst he was still on the ground. I think i'll stick to the facts in future!!!

I think the crash was in 94 or 95. Gttc might know the exact date. I'd be leaning towards 1995.The ac in the museum is A202 airframe but it has been fitted with the tailboom painted up for the 30 anniversary. The signatures of all the techies in the unit at that time are on it.

A202 was the only Allouette ever wrote off due to a crash even though plenty of others had prangs but were repaired.

After the crash new inspections on the blade spacing system and hydraulic dampers on the main rotor head were instigated as the " investigation" was told that vibes were felt before the crash. Nothing was ever found to be technically wrong with any part of the ac as far as i can remember

7

Irish Air Corps / Alouette III -

« on: June 06, 2006, 05:52:38 pm »

Gttc

I never said it wasn't a dumb thing to do. I also know the crewman and i was on duty that weekend so i must be losing my marbles if i can't remember correctly. Thats my recollection of events

8

Irish Air Corps / Alouette III -

« on: June 06, 2006, 01:32:21 pm »

Gttc

Your version is not exactly accurate. The A111 was tasked with a Garda Coop mission and was due to pick up a Gard at the pier on lough Eske. The pilot attempted to land a couple of times on the pier and aborted each time. On the final attempt control of the ac was lost and it crashed into the water. The guard witnessed the crash and immediately went and bought a lotto ticket!!

The ac rolled over on its side but luckily was only in about 6 feet of water. Close by was much deeper water. The crewman, who couldn't swim and who sustained a seriuos back injury climbed onto the side of the ac whilst the pilot was able to swim to shore

some members of the wedding party went out in a rowing boat to aid the crewman. The Dauphin from Finner brought him to hosp. the wedding video captured the whole incident

9

Irish Air Corps / Air Corps NCO pilots

« on: March 21, 2006, 10:07:05 am »

Congrats to both of them. I can remember Gerry starting out on his ppl.

I agree with gttc. Forget about becoming an nco pilot and become a pilot outside the gates of Baldonnel.

10

Air Corps Careers / another way?

« on: March 03, 2006, 02:30:52 pm »

John f

You can apply for both competitions in the same year. If you get offered an apprenticeship first, accept it. There is absolutely no problem taking the cadetship a few months later if you get it. I know this for a fact as members of my apprentice class accepted cadetships whilst we were still in the hostel.

There is also no problem applying for the cadetship whilst serving your apprenticeship. Many apprentices have left in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year after getting a cadetship

All you have to do now is get a vacancy!!

11

Air Corps Careers / another way?

« on: March 01, 2006, 10:34:58 am »

It has become much more common in the last few years for techies to apply and get cadet positions. Some have applied whilst they were still useless apprentices!! ( I was one once) and others have waited untill they were highly productive techies  '> . However i would say that you should apply for a cadetship anyway, even if you apply as a apprentice. If a cadetship is your goal give yourself as many oppurtunities as possible whilst you are within the age limit

[Quote]

12

Air Corps Careers / Cadetships 2006

« on: February 27, 2006, 11:04:48 am »

Quote (Delta72 @ 26 Feb. 2006,11:40)

Alrite lads, gud 2 c ya's all geared up 4 applyn.     Im goen 4 it nxt year.. But u fellas really no wot day 2 day life is like in da corp?? i mean its 12 years of ur life ur signen 4..so u'd wanna b sure!!

Jesus!! You won' t have to worry about getting it if you fill out your application form like that. Maybe a career as a rapper would suit you better

13

Irish Air Corps / Air Corps NCO pilots

« on: February 21, 2006, 07:37:44 pm »

They can get them to sign a similar contract to the 9 yr contract all ac techs have to sign and put a monetry value on leaving. Commissioned officers have a different contract completely and i would presume it would be difficult to apply to enlisted personnel.

However if the buy out figure  was large enough it would serve its purpose

By the way, Its never going to happen!!!

14

Irish Air Corps / CASA's pass the 20,000 flight hours mark

« on: February 19, 2006, 10:54:54 am »

As far as i know his father started a co op shop years ago and was subsequently called The Cope. The name was then passed on to him. Sounds mad but i heard an article recently on the radio and from what i can remember this was the reason given for his name

15

Irish Air Corps / selling dauphin's a mistake?

« on: February 03, 2006, 09:24:11 pm »

The fact that the "decommissioned" ac is still flying gives you an idea of the planning that has gone into this

Why didn't they wait till the ac were all actually grounded?