CHC SAR Helis

[sealion]

I thought 22 squadron were disbanded years ago, and 202 squadron done all the RAF SAR work in the yellow seakings? 22 flew Wessex.

[Pink Panther]

Try this, http://www.rafvalley.org/22.htm

[Fouga23]

Same here. "Noordzee Helicopters Vlaanderen" flies dauphin heli's to drop harbor guides on ships. Many crewmembers are ex-BAF seaking crewmembers. better pay and benifits I guess:) and no politics

[John K]

Sealion, both 22 and 202 sqns have flights (usually 2 S61s) dotted around the UK coastline for SAR, also there's one down in the Falklands-jeez! and we used to complain about a week in Finner!

[sealion]

I assumed when they stood down their Wessex,that they were being placed on the reserve squadron list(i.e suspended animation). Good to hear that this is not the case. 22, and indeed 202 have saved many lives in irish waters in times when the Air Corps were unable to.

[Orion]

Quote (John K @ 01 Jan. 2006,18:32)

Sealion, both 22 and 202 sqns have flights (usually 2 S61s) dotted around the UK coastline for SAR, also there's one down in the Falklands-jeez! and we used to complain about a week in Finner!

202 are alive and kicking (and saving). 'lucky enough to see a very low pass by a SEAKING (on weekly rotation I think) on route to RAF Boulmer on New Years day while walking my dogs on Druridge Bay dunes not far south of said RAF stn. The a/c and then the crew returned my wave.

On a more general note though it would be a great shame if the 'SAR/civilian disaster' capability of the RAF was completely handed over to civilian contractors. Missed PR, training and recruitment opportunities to say the least.

[SARMAN]

The harmonisation project is to go live in 2012 and it will be mixed crew's, civi-milatary, so the RAF and RN will not lose out on the experience of operational SAR and probably learn alot doing it the civi way as the aircraft will be civi and flown under civi rules alot safer for everyone concerned including the patents/casualtys. As for who's name will be on the side for PR as you say.. Who knows and who cares as long as the job is done..

And by that stage SAR in Ireland will be done in new machines S92's AB 139's etc!!!

[Fouga23]

Quote (SARMAN @ 11 Jan. 2006,23:48)

The harmonisation project is to go live in 2012 and it will be mixed crew's, civi-milatary, so the RAF and RN will not lose out on the experience of operational SAR and probably learn alot doing it the civi way as the aircraft will be civi and flown under civi rules alot safer for everyone concerned including the patents/casualtys. As for who's name will be on the side for PR as you say.. Who knows and who cares as long as the job is done.. And by that stage SAR in Ireland will be done in new machines S92's AB 139's etc!!!

please put your text in black or another dark color. This light green is giving me a headache  '>

[P.Doff]

CHC nearly lost an S-61 off waterford yesterday when the winch snapped smashed the window and caught, but luckily didnt tangle with , one of the blades!!!!!

[SousaTeuszii]

P.Doff,
Not one for the amateur dramatics I see. ;-) The old bird suffered a broken window and two damaged blades but was a long long way from nearly being lost. Anybody who remembers the damage a 61 suffered off the west coast a number of years back will testify how much damage these blades can take and still fly.Thankfully the only injury was the winchop who cut his hand. I presume he would have been close to the cable when it snapped.
You are right though, slightly different circumstances and it could have been a real problem.

[P.Doff]

Well, you know how it is, a CHC crew member visiting the don told me yesterday ,so maybe he was sexing it up a bit. Just passing on what I was told!!!!

[p.diddy.cool]

indeed there was a chance that the aircraft could have been lost...but aircraft can be replaced... it crews are the important factor!

Damage to 2 blades and the front panels of the cockpit... the Winchop got 6 stitches.. and was lucky not to have lost his hand, JM who was on the Deck got off the hook when he noticed there might be a problem about to happen (spilt second) and for the 6th time in his 30 years of SAR he was left behind and brought home by vessel....

The ppl were lucky, and the IAA will issue the report for u all to read soon enough! untill then ill keep the pics of the damage save! LOL

regards PDC
  

[SARMAN]

When I heard that this had happened first thought was who was the winchman and hope he is ok JM is fine and the winchop BJ is recovering with just a few stitches in his hand. So not a bad outcome overall no pilots where injured and everyone on board, including a new student who had no active part to play in the incident she is fine!!! So a close call but at least everyone is able to walk away and have a cup of tea and a s*** talk about it in the crewroom.  Even if the winch op is holding his cup with the good hand!!!!
 

[papa 242]

Hi All,
Thanks for the comments ref.cable incident.,,,,,If they wanted me to retire early they just have to ask!!!!When I go winching now I carry my passport!!!!

[John K]

Hey Papa 242 welcome to the board, how're things? I see your life is still full of 'ups and downs!'