Messages

1

Irish Air Corps / Re: New Air Base?

« on: January 03, 2009, 02:12:52 pm »

Sligo, Knock, Shannon or  Farranfore would make an ideal forward base gaurding our western flank.  Suitable attack aircraft to take out drug smuggling boats before they reach our shores would save this country millions in health and judicial costs from the successful smuggled drugs that are currently awash in all our towns and cities.
FiannaFail

Ever hear of a silly thing called "due process" or "innocent till proven guilty"?

2

Aviation Waffle / Re: USAF helicopters in long-range rescue off west coast.

« on: January 03, 2009, 01:59:14 pm »

I remember reading somewhere that many 4 engine Prop military aircraft, routinely fly with 2 outer engines feathered, only using the full compliment when under load. This is particularly the case for Maritime Patrol. Not sure if the same would apply for A KC130.

3

Irish Air Corps / Re: Air Corps Air Firing Pictures

« on: January 03, 2009, 01:48:06 pm »

Read the article. Great work Frank.

4

Irish Air Corps / Re: What next aircraft?

« on: January 03, 2009, 01:12:09 pm »

I agree - 2 x (s/h) C-130's and Defenders.....and more helis.

Isnt it high time that Customs (and/or Coast Guard) had a couple of aircraft of their own too?

Anybody recall the Top Gear episode where they 'sailed' a Nissan pickup across the english channel - and were overflown by a UK Coastguard Defender (Islander?) checking them out?!

How many "air forces" does a small country need? You forget that the Irish coastguard already contract CHC to provide SAR helis to the country. Customs use the Air Corps CASA on occasion, it hardly justifies need for their own air arm.(2 flights last year) Bad enough they have their own Navy.

5

UK Air Shows / Re: RIAT 2008

« on: June 06, 2008, 09:51:08 pm »

Camping there was the Job. Wake up to the sound of A B52 on approach over your head. Stick the head out of the tent to watch the oddest and noisiest arrive. And after the show, watch in comfort as they leave again. The show is 2 days, but I remember getting 5 out of it in 1994...

6

Irish Air Shows / Re: Bray Air Display 2008

« on: June 06, 2008, 09:46:25 pm »

Maybe they have Operational Commitments?

7

Irish Air Corps / Re: Coast Guard Helicopter Replacement

« on: May 21, 2008, 09:32:07 pm »

RCG took part in an exercise with what may be the worlds Largest cruise liner on tuesday off Cork Harbour.

They met up with Independence of the Seas off Roches point and practiced winching on to the forward part of the ship.


Note, she is over 150,000 tonnes(GT) and 339m long. she sits 14 decks above the waterline. Sadly she was out of photo range, I could only hear them on Marine VHF along with the Crosshaven Coastguard and RNLI.

8

Irish Air Corps / Re: Coast Guard Helicopter Replacement

« on: May 14, 2008, 08:50:10 pm »

All the S-61s are pretty old at this stage, most early 70s vintage, if I recall correctly. They have earned their rest.

9

Aviation Videos / Re: Low flying in the Machloop,Wales.

« on: May 14, 2008, 08:46:44 pm »

Excellent clips all of them. Not easy to catch a high speed moving aircraft with a camera.

10

Irish Air Corps / Re: Taoiseach calls for Jet upgrade

« on: April 26, 2008, 09:27:23 pm »

He's just about kicked out of his job for telling little porkies and half truths and still hasnt learnt!
Within 2 minutes of looking:

http://www.avbuyer.com/AircraftSales/AircraftResults.asp?aid=17004
http://www.controller.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=1123100
http://www.controller.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=1108041

Got bored, too easy proving Bertie to be politician! 

He is safe in the knowledge that none of his fellow mandarins will disagree with his figures, because secretly they all want to fly in a flashy new jet.

11

Aviation Videos / Re: Videos of Vulcan ZH558's 3rd test flight

« on: April 22, 2008, 07:53:39 pm »

The sound of freedom.

12

Irish Air Corps / Re: AW 139 questions

« on: February 27, 2008, 09:25:27 pm »

Thanks for that Sarman. South of UK is pretty well covered already, with the concentration of RAF, RN and numerous independant air ambulance and police helis for the more routine work.

13

Irish Air Corps / Re: AW 139 questions

« on: February 24, 2008, 11:38:08 am »

Here is a SAR 139...

If I understand correctly, CHC will replace its current fleet in the UK with 2 Sikorsky S92 in the Scottish Bases, and 2 AW139 in its south of England bases. Any reasoning behind the North/south split, apart from the Larger areas the S92 would be routinely expected to cover, Heberdies, Orkneys, Highlands etc?

14

UK Air Shows / Re: RIAT 2008

« on: January 31, 2008, 09:33:11 am »

I always found at RIAT that the static displays have the fences back far enough that you can get excellent photos with nobody in the way.

Even if you need to take a few extra steps back, as a rule people wait till you have your photo taken before they pass you. The flying displays are to the north of the runway usually, and no matter where you are on the ramp, you'll have a good view of proceedings. If you want a better view, there used to be terraced seating along the flight line.

And then there is the open topped bus.

Now I have to say I haven't been to RIAT since 1994. They started moving it from Fairford then and I lost interest.

15

Irish Air Corps / Re: Anyone recognise this heli?

« on: January 22, 2008, 06:27:13 pm »

To upgrade the dauphin avionics to modern standards, was going to cost 1.5m per aircraft. This would not have extended the service life of the 22 year old machines.