Air Corps Heli naval ops

Quote

all the NS saw was a bunch of pilots and techs land in Cork harbour, retire below until they were required, get quite sick in some cases and not be able to fly again because of the swell. Most pilots were only too happy to push the limits of what was possible just to get a respite from the motion, in fact, I know of one pilot who could only eat in the aircraft, nothing would stay down otherwise. Now you tell me why it appeared that they were always so eager to get off the damn thing! Read the whole thread. It's not snobbishness. I could have joined the NS, but seasickness was a major factor. To spend a week on board and not be able to get off because of weather conditions, would be my idea of hell.

[sealion]

I believe the location of the aviation fuel tanks on eithne are in such a place that water contamination is commonplace. It seens it already caused a problem when a dauphin fuelled from the ship suffered from contamination and had to land on the beach at Tramore.
I dont know the science but it seems the inside of the tans are prone to condensation,and the resulting water contaminates the fuel..

[IAS]

Looking at the first of CH's photos it appears that there is a lot of space between the front of the Dauphin (including rotor) and the hanger, the same applies to the back. Does anyone know the largest helicopter that could land (safely/regularly) on Eithne? Also, has any other type of helicopter ever landed on her?

IAS

[alpha foxtrot 07]

clan dont mistake the lack of excitement to board ship as snobish, it is far from is. there's a term in aviation call the 'black hole' , flying in it is bad enough but trying to hover and/or land on the pitching deck of a ship in a a/c which is heavy and under powered without its radar altimeter working is just plain stupidity. so dont be so quick to judge, aer corps helo pilots are some of the bravist people in the  world and im glad to call a few of them friends

I believe that the aviation fuel tanks have been replaced with fresh water storage tanks, so future ops are unlikely. The fact of the matter is that operating offshore is bloody restrictive because of the limitations in roll and pitch allowed for take off and landing, so all the NS saw was a bunch of pilots and techs land in Cork harbour, retire below until they were required, get quite sick in some cases and not be able to fly again because of the swell. Most pilots were only too happy to push the limits of what was possible just to get a respite from the motion, in fact, I know of one pilot who could only eat in the aircraft, nothing would stay down otherwise. Now you tell me why it appeared that they were always so eager to get off the damn thing!

I've seen some pics of an IAC Alouette on 'a deck', but I'll have to see if the guy in question will give me a copy. The lack of a harpoon or negative pitch facility makes for an interesting time, I'm sure!

[Silver]

After the arrival of the CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) in 1994, the Dauphins were used less and less from HPV L.E. Eithne of the Irish Naval Service, so much so that most folks here would be hard pressed to remember the last time one of them was observed on Eithne's heli-deck !

So what of the future ?

Will the departure of the Dauphins in the coming years spell the end of AC helicopter naval ops ?



(There are also rumours that Eithne's heli-deck may be converted for other uses)

[Fouga]

The photo you show Silver is not of the LE Eithne, that is actually a US Warship. '>

Also the last time i can remember seeing a Dauphin operate off the Eithne must have been between 1996 onwards to 1999, well in that time period as the Eithne was in Galway bay for I think it was a Lifeboat day or Something or im not sure was it the Airshow but she was very very close to Salthill and the Dauphin Operated off her for the duration and also did HIFR for the crowd.


*HIFR (Helicopter In Flight Refuelling)

[Silver]

I'm aware that the pic is not of Eithne - I didn't say it was ! (I knew after I posted it, that somebody would point it out ).

The pic is of US Cutter Legare. It was the first pic of a Dauphin over a deck that I came across - so I used it.
It is purely to add some variety to the post.  


It would be interesting to see HIFR allright !

[alpha foxtrot 07]

Q. is there anyone, who still fly's, qualified to fly of a ship.

[Frank (Admin)]

Hi Silver,

As far as I can remember, I have pictures (somewhere) of a Dauphin carrying out a HIFR with the Eithne in Galway Bay, off the promenade in Salthill.

I also have pictures taken on the same day of the Dauphin on the Eithne's helideck.

If I think of it I'll try and dig up the pictures, scan them and put them on the website.

If they aren't forthcoming in a few weeks time or you haven't heard anything back from me please remind me cos I have a million and one things on the go at the minute.


Regards,

Frank.

[sealion]

It has been many years since a dauphin landed on Eithne,and most of the handling gear is inoperable,and the landing aids in some cases have been removed. Apart from the qualified pilots,qualified crew capable of handling aircraft on deck are also in short supply.

[p.diddy.cool]

'>

hi everyone, you know i was only chatting to one of my naval buddys a few week ago about this, i was asking him about possible manovers taking place this year with the navy.... ship formations etc... (Quite a sight from the al 3), but then thats where the topic went.

He said that prior notice had to be given b4 the dauphins were to operate of the back of the LE Eithne( days) and that all the refueling and fire fighting equipment is removed off the ship and is/was only ever placed there on request!

i've asked him to track down any pics they might have down there and pass them on.....

Slan leat!
P.D.C