The current edition of 'Flying In Ireland' has a 2010 review of the Air Corps.
A few things stood out for me when I was reading the article and stats -
- Search and Rescue Ops
Total 6 - incl 2 by CASA aircraft
(How things have changed from only a few years ago when the AC has dozens of SAR missions per year)
I was surprised that the CASA's were only involved in 2 SAR missions for all of 2010?
- Cash-In-Transit Ops
PC-9's were used in 2 such ops
I didnt realise that the PC-9's were ever used in such operations?
- MATS
€2.8 million was spent on maintenance of the Gulfstream in 2010.
Doesnt sound like an aircraft which is near the end of its 'operational life' ?