Messages

1

Air Corps News / Air Corps Crash

« on: May 06, 2004, 04:28:11 pm »

A very sad day indeed.
From the RTE Website.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0506/aircrash.html

....................................................................................
Pilot killed in Co Offaly aircraft crash

06 May 2004 15:57
A young Air Corps pilot was killed during a training exercise in Co Offaly this afternoon.

The airman was flying a four-seater Cessna when it crashed shortly after take-off in Clonbullogue just before 1pm. The pilot was the only person on board.

The Irish Parachute Club runs an airfield near the village which is used by the air corps parachute section.
 
The dead pilot had been on duty carrying parachutists to and from Baldonnel.

The defence forces will not release the name of the pilot until his relatives have been informed.

2

Irish Air Corps / Crash reported

« on: May 06, 2004, 03:36:42 pm »

Sad to say it is true the  information I have received is that it
is one of the Reims Rockets the crash took place at Clonbullogue airfield.
Our thoughts must with the pilots family.
A truely terrible day for the brave men and women of the air Corps.

3

Irish Air Corps / Which Jet ?

« on: December 01, 2003, 04:40:57 pm »

Can someone explain why we did not purchase 10 to 20 F5E\F from the Swiss.
The deal listed below was signed around the time we spent €40 to €60 million on the PC 9s.
Could a viable interceptor force not have been procured for around €500,000 per airframe.
We could have had say 16 F5E and 4 F5F for €10 million.
I realise there would be additional infrastructure costs.
But would we not have been better served setting up a viable interceptor squadron and sending our pilots abroad to train to fast jet transition level to the likes of NATO Flight Training Canada.

I know we are not part of Nato but I am sure our pilots would be accepted as our money would be as good as anyones.

Is it time to question why we insist on having pilot training facilities in the country and no frontline aircraft for them to fly?
How can a modern first world leader like the Taoiseach stand up for all the world to see and announce that we will not host major summits because we cannot protect visiting dignitaries.
Is he saying that they are more important than the people who live here the people to whom he owes his first duty?


Source US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

February 14, 2003

The government of Switzerland is being awarded an estimated $18,557,950 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of up to 32 low-flight-time F-5E Tiger aircraft. The base award of $570,950 is for the initial requirement of one aircraft. The contract consists of a basic award and five options. These F-5E Tiger aircraft will provide for a one-on-one replacement of current U.S. Navy Reserve F-5E aircraft. Revised fatigue life extended calculations necessitated restructuring of the previous overhaul program to provide for the cost-effective procurement of these replacement aircraft to achieve the CNO directed operational requirements through FY 2015. Work will be performed in Switzerland and is to be completed in August 2003. If all options are exercised, the work will be completed in September 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-03-C-0014).

4

Irish Air Corps / Bertie admits Aircorps underequipped!

« on: December 05, 2003, 04:09:09 pm »

I see your point but are we now not at the mercy of the whims of others for a much more important role that being the defense of our territorial airspace? I recall the Minister for Defence saying in a emergency we would need to ask for outside help that is a bit like asking your next door neighbour for a loan of his burgular alarm while you go on holidays because you cant afford one yourself.I for one have no objection to the air corps getting badly needed aircraft. I just wonder could we not have spent the money more imagiatively.Take my suggestion of purchasing 20 F5 for €10 million even allow another €20 million for training and infrastructure to get the aircraft operational. If there is a need for training facilities here something I am not convinced we need why then did we pass up on the German Alpha Jets that were sold for around €25,000 per airframe a couple of years back even with major upgrade we could have had them operational for around €1 million per airframe (Check out the details of the German Alpha Jets sale here http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRH0011/FR0011a.htm ).
Therefore we could have had 12 relatively modern jet training aircraft in operation for €12 million they would have provided the lead in trainer for the F5s. Abinitio training could be either privatized or carried out on a new fleet of say six piston engined trainers not the most expensive capital item to acquire backed up with appropriate ground training aids.
We would have a good start made on providing a well rounded air defense system and cash left over to begin tackling the other needs of  the Air Corps. All I am saying is why are we fixated all of a sudden on new aircraft we simply don't have the budget to meet our requirements so we should be looking at ways of meeting our them with the best use of the money we have.

We purchased secondhand successfully before in much poorer times and it worked for us (Hurricanes,Seafires,Spitfires etc).Many countries see it as a viable way of providing necessary defense equipment within a tight defense budget. If the Air Corps is to wait for new replacements for all the required types air defense aircraft,tactial transports, medium lift helicopters etc. the budget will never be there to purchase them and the air corps will suffer further neglect.
Something we all agree cannot continue.
I do not claim to have all the answers or even that my suggestions are the best possible solutions but I fear the road we are following at the moment will not get us very far.

5

Irish Air Corps / Bertie admits Aircorps underequipped!

« on: December 03, 2003, 12:01:07 pm »

I would tend to agree why do we insist on having pilot training facilities in the country and no frontline aircraft for them to fly?
Why was some imigination not used and 10 to 20 F5E\F purchaced from the Swiss.
The US purchaced 32 low time F5E from the Swiss for just over €500,000 per airframe (Total cost €18 million).
At around the same time what deal did we agree 8 PC 9s for €60 million.
Could a viable interceptor force not have been procured for around €500,000 per airframe.
We could have had say 16 F5E and 4 F5F for €10 million.I realise there would be additional infrastructure costs.
But would we not have been better served setting up a viable interceptor squadron and sending our pilots abroad to train to fast jet transition level to the likes of NATO Flight Training Canada.
I know we are not part of Nato but I am sure our pilots would be accepted as our money would be as good as anyones.

The question has to be answered why are we do we insist on purchacing policies of a first world nation on the defence budget of a third world nation.
What is wrong with secondhand equipment if it meets the necessary requirments. After all all the effective combat aircrat the aircorps ever owned were secondhand (Hurricanes, Seafires, Spitfires etc.)

6

Irish Air Corps / Six One

« on: December 18, 2003, 03:45:06 pm »

It looks like VIP Air Taxi it will be then. I suppose we will have to wait and see.
But it is looking like another chance will be missed to turn the Air Corps into a properly equipped military organization.
 
At least our VIPs will travel in style just imagine how many more off licences etc they will be able to open now.

7

Irish Air Corps / Six One

« on: December 18, 2003, 03:12:55 pm »

I would agree with the idea of using the Dauphins in another role with less sophisticated equipment they would the be able to lift more and be much more versatile. I doubt whether it would be a good idea to operate four different helicopter types. After all is this not one of the biggest problems the Air Corps has too many different aircraft and not enough of them?
The AIIIs or the Gazelle should be disposed of.
If parts supply for the AIIIs can be guaranteed for say the next 5 years then why not retain a couple for training.

For a reasonable expenditure probably what will be spent on the Light Utility helicopters (Which will have limited uses).
The Air Corps could have a heli squadron equipped with 4 Dauphins for naval and army support along with 10 SA 330 Pumas as troop transports. Allowing them to lift over 200 troops in one go.
Thus allowing the Army to train in the tactical use of helicopters like every other first world army.

The real danger is that a token force of Light Utility helicopters will be bought and all the Air cops will end up doing is VIP air taxi.

The powers that be have to decide what is wanted from the Air Corps. A military force capable of supporting the Army or a VIP transport operation that any banana republic would be proud of. Imagine the amount of use the politicians would get out of a nice shiny fleet of light Helicopters in say the squirrel or EC 135 class. I can`t see them wanting to get into a muddy Puma equipped for Tactical troop transport I doubt it would be comfortable enough.

8

Irish Air Corps / Six One

« on: December 18, 2003, 12:12:59 pm »

Would secondhand Pumas be worth considering. There are 10 available with 2 available for delivery within 8 weeks.These are fully overhauled low timed ex South African Air force Pumas.
The company also has a large spares backup.

They also have 2 civilian Pumas for sale possible Vip transports?

Check it out at this link (Click on Aircraft)

http://www.helilift.com/default.htm

Puma Specifications.

Powerplant: Two Turbomeca Turbo 111C4 turboshafts of 1,435shp

Max Speed: 163mph (263km/h)

Accommodation: Up to 20 passengers/troops or 7,055lb underslung.