Author Topic: Naval Service Pilots. (Read 1280 times)

Silver · « **on:** November 09, 2003, 03:13:27 pm »

Would it be a good idea or a bad idea to train Naval Service Officers (or NCO's) to operate helicopters from the Naval Service Helicopter Patrol Vessel L.E Eithne ?

I first came across this idea when I read one of the books about the history of the Naval Service.
The author suggested that naval personnel would be more suitable to operate helicopters from L.E Eithne (or any possible future HPV's) because (unlike AC pilots) they have gained their 'sea legs' - and could also perform other duties while onboard ship.

I personally think this would be the best route to take should we reinstate naval heli ops in the future.

Turkey · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2003, 11:18:04 pm »

Well, in fairness, AF07, they are probally on aircraft carriers. One can, at least, go for a walk on them.

John K · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2003, 04:32:26 pm »

Hey Silver, yeah that way they'd know that they were going to spend some of their service at sea. But why stop at pilots? The aircraft need a team to look after them so all the crew would have to be 'Naval', no use training the pilots but have the techies posted down from the 'Don, that's not a good combination! As I said in another thread, I left in '85 'cos I didn't fancy working 3 weeks at sea as we were told that would be a typical patrol.

alpha foxtrot 07 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2003, 11:54:37 pm »

true but what about the guys on the frigates

Fouga · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2003, 05:03:45 pm »

Sounds good but resources are stopping us. Is it hard to get into the AC?

John K · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2003, 05:50:39 pm »

Well as I said before, if you know that you'll be spending time at sea when you sign up then you've got no comeback. When I joined there was no mention of it and then we were just expected to get on with it. I did pay a visit to an old mate of mine in the Navy once and most of the matelots wanted to get a transfer to Baldonnel to get out of the navy!

alpha foxtrot 07 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2003, 06:15:26 pm »

sounds like a great idea but i just dont see it flying, its hard enough for the corps to get helo's never mind the navy to

Silver · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2003, 12:30:23 am »

It's an awful waste of resources that this ship is not being used to it's full potential !

FiannaFail · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2003, 08:59:58 pm »

Silver,
Yes, yes, yes!! It makes military and all other sense that the NS should have its own pilots. I have just one query. Should the Casas be transfered to a Naval Air Arm if it is set up. I would be inclined to think they should. Any views?
FiannaFail

'>

alpha foxtrot 07 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2003, 03:44:53 pm »

you got it right silver

n-e-foo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2003, 09:43:15 pm »

Quote from: FiannaFail,09 Nov. 2003,11:59

I'm really not sure where I stand on this issue. If you take the Naval area out of the Air Corps roles (and the garda role?), I really think - based on the current equipment they'd be left with, moral will fall even further through the floor.

Now heres the other side of the coin. The Air Corp have thousands of applications each year from prospective pilots, now I find it a complete farce that people so eager to join and presumably serve their country would so easily be put off by the prospect of a few weeks at sea every six months or so. I find it a joke. If you join the air corp surely you expect to have to work for your bread and every so often have to "put up with" the same level of comfort members of the Naval Service do from the time they enlist to the time they leave and probably for a hell of a lot less money.

Maybe the solution is a bit of both. Have an Irish Air Corps Naval Squadron, based out of Cork Airport or Shannon, using the Casa's and Dauphins. A complete split of the air corps would be counter productive - i think. I don't know though do I?

The Air Corps need a role. They need the proper equipment to have a role, leaving them with a few A3's, some PC-9's and Cessna's isnt doing that. Saying they might get a few new types in the future doesnt it either.

Just a few thoughts....

alpha foxtrot 07 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2003, 10:07:06 pm »

n-e-foo
your point on the moral issue is spot on but i dont think it can get any worse than it already is, what would most likely happen is people would through in the towel

Turkey · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2003, 10:24:54 pm »

I think since the government were daft enough to have split the Dauphin purchase in 2 to have 3 conventional, and 2 seagoing helicopters,instead of just buying 5 all seagoing types, then having a seperate navy squadron [volenteer only] makes a lot of sense.
But, while I can see people having difficulty facing 3 weeks at sea, I would like to remind people, both ruperts and enlisted, that you did not join the boy scouts.
T'is only an opinion guys, get your blood pressure down

'>

alpha foxtrot 07 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2003, 10:58:42 pm »

what about other navy pilots they spend 6 months at sea

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