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Author Topic: What Flight International said about the IAC  (Read 682 times)

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Fouga

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« on: October 15, 2005, 08:28:11 pm »
Irish Air Corps. The IAC has it's Headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel with a second base at Gormanston, Co meath. Its main duties are support for the ground forces, SAR, air ambulance work, fishery protection, VIP, and civil aid missions. A recent modernisation programme saw the Air Corps re-equip with 6 Super Magisters armed with 7.62mm machine guns and underwing rocket launchers and are currently used for advanced training, delivery was completed in November 1976. For the basic training 10 siai-marchetti sf.260we warriors are in service. A role given increasing importance is that of fishery protection in co-operation with the Irish Naval Service and for this task the IAC has 2 Beech Super King Air 200's purchased in 1979 and replacing 2 leased aircraft. A third Super King Air ordered for twin training was delivered this summer.

For Military co-operation duties 7 of 8 Cessna fr.172h's are used from their base at Gormanston. The Helicopter element is made up of 8 Alouette 3's flying on SAR, ambulance and general military duties. In December 1979 an sa342l Gazelle was delivered for training use and this is being followed by a second aircraft due this year. A decision on a troop carrying helicopter is expected to be made shortly in favour of some Puma's. For Government/VIP Flights to Europe, the IAC has an hs.125-700 replacing a series 600 aircraft in February this year. 6 Chipmunks continue in service for staff flying but are due for disposal shortly. An airfield development programme to improve approach and landing facilities at Casement Aerodrome began in 1979 an work continues on this project.


Bit Of History. 'applause'
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Offline Silver

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2005, 12:59:13 am »
Interesting Fouga !  ......where did you come across that article ?
  'pilot_smiley'
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Fouga

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2005, 06:03:29 pm »
Eh Flight International October 1980? Duh! ':p'

My dad has tons of them he has saved over the years in the attic! 'buttrock'
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Offline Silver

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2005, 11:48:27 pm »
Quote (Fouga @ 16 Oct. 2005,09:03)
Eh Flight International October 1980? Duh! ':p'

My dad has tons of them he has saved over the years in the attic! 'buttrock'

Wise ass  '<img'>  .........I mean't where did you get the mag !  'pilot_rolleyes'
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Offline Hess

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2005, 09:38:51 pm »
Pretty interesting, Fouga. It's amazing, in the late 70s/early 80s, when the economy was a basket case, we had 40+ active service aircraft. Now, when by one report we are the 5th richest country on the Earth, we have 20+. SIX NEW CHOPPERS, big deal!
How do you divide 4 AB139s between 3 brigades, including RDF, that's 21000 personnel. Not to mention the ARW. Is overseas catered for here? You bet your sweet a*** that we will not be supplying any air for our battle group. I believe our Tanaiste likes to take joyrides at our expense. Maybe next time, the department of defense will put out a tender for a heavy lift helicopter.
PC9s are great and we'll give our guys valuable turboprop experience (even jet-like) without the rating, but where do they go to from that? Top cover for CITs? It's time the muppets in power wake up and spend a few Euros on the Air Corps. After all, it's not all just MATS, although I think they think, it is!

  'banghead'

PS Fouga: You wouldn't believe the mags I found in our attic!! Ooops, sorry Frank, losing the thread!
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"There is no reason why the poor and wayward should not experience the full effect of air power" - Hess 2005

Offline pilatus

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2005, 10:12:34 am »
as it goes the corps was in pretty good condition back then when compared to other periods(i.e.present time!).
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Fouga

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2005, 11:58:49 am »
Quote (Hess @ 18 Oct. 2005,12:38)
I believe our Tanaiste likes to take joyrides at our expense. Maybe next time, the department of defense will put out a tender for a heavy lift helicopter.

'<img'>  'pilot_laugh'  Heavy lift space shuttle you mean!

BTW we only had it good then because of the Border and the troubles id imagine?
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Offline pilatus

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2005, 05:44:11 pm »
that is why!sure as soon as the troubles started to get really bad they bought cessnas more A111s and a whole lot of amoured vehicles for the army also!
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Fouga

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2005, 02:18:49 pm »
Makes you wonder if the situation was dire what we would have got?
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Offline John K

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What Flight International said about the IAC
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2005, 12:01:11 am »
Hess, you're dead right, if the army are abroad doing peacekeeping they should be able to get airlifted by their own helicopters, Pumas for instance! The UN could finance the deployment which would also pay for the new aircraft!
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