AIII Retirement

[Shamrock145]

Hi

will there be an official ceremony for the retirement of the AIII's or are they just being quietly let slip into memory ...

...145

[Silver]

The AIII's should recieve an official 'sendoff/retirement' ceremony!

They have been the best aircraft ever to fly in Irish colours (IMHO).......have saved hundreds of lives, trained hundreds of AC pilots and crew and served the state for over 40 years!

And after their 'retirement' an AIII should be allocated "pride of place" in the AC museum!

[Turkey]

As far as I can remember one is already in the museum, no doubt Tony Kearns can confirm this, I think it is the one that went in the lake in Donegal,
I am fairly sure there is an instructional 'airframe' in the museum.

[Silver]

Yes, there is an AIII in the museum....the one that 'dipped in the lake' I believe.

However, the oldest AIII should be retained for the museum and the current 'museum AIII' should be considered for an outdoor 'gate guardian'-type display.

[pilatus]

2-3 of them i think will remain in ireland in various museams and displays and im assuming the rest will be sold of,though on the "warbird heli market" or just to a private buyer?one should be kept in airworthy condition as part of a heritage flight but that costs money as they say and probably wont happen!

[Fouga]

Quote (pilatus @ 25 Dec. 2006,13:05)

one should be kept in airworthy condition as part of a heritage flight

Just where do you suppose we get the pilots/crews for the "Heritage flight" ? I find that would be a drastic waste of time and resources the Air Corps is a small organisation numbering under 1,000 personnel and they are already strapped for things as it is.

[pilatus]

did you not read all my post i said it would not happen because it costs money and this country would not give anybody even the wiff of their farts never mind give money to keep an old heli airworthy!are there not volunteers who look after the museam in bal?well do you not think people would volunteer to keep a heritage flight going?because i certainly would!and you mention the numbers in the AC?well my friend that again comes down to money because the government does not want to properly fund the AC so they can become a proper military arm so lack of funds to do the job required translates to fewer aircraft which translates to fewer personnel!think about it! '>

Volunteers to fly and maintain wouldn't be a problem. The far-sightedness to finance spares may be. Coupled with this is the requirement to keep these aircraft in a flying environment, not in a museum, where they can be poked and prodded. I would love to see an Alouette still flying when the 139s are running out of steam.  Some chance, huh? Still, the Portuguese are keeping theirs until they are 50, so there is life in the old dog yet!!

[The Donk]

When and what time is the session for the retirement of the AIII's .When you think how many people have learnt their trade on the Allouette Helicopters whether its Maintaining them ,Flying them or performing Sar on them .I'd say the list of personnel directly involved with them over the years must be HUGE.Is there much interest out there for a session..................   [/B]

August I believe. Not sure of a date yet, but will coincide with a family day. Should be an excuse for a few bevvies all right.

[pilatus]

August!plenty of time for me to get down and see them again yet!im guessing the next pair of AW139's will have been delivered by then?