Coast Guard S-92 v S-61

[Shamrock145]

A question for the assembled parish brains trust ...

Watching the recent RTÉ coverage of the ICG heli feel upgrade http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2014/0114/20505465-latest-state-of-the-art-helicopter-added-to-coast-guard-fleet/ Chris Reynolds, Director of ICG states that one of the benefits that the S92 brings over its predecessor is that the S61 couldn't go direct Galway to Dublin during the winter, but would have to route around the coast to make the journey.

Is this true and if so why?

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[Vulcan]

I'm open to correction but I'm nearly 100% sure they've done that trip in winter many a time!

[mickptre]

We have of course done this and other winter trips thousands of times, but, there are times when low level icing conditions in IMC flight prevented us from doing those type of missions as the S61N had very limited Anti Ice protection and no De-Ice protection. The S92A has full anti-ice and de-ice systems including RIPs (Rotor Icing Protection Systems)both on main and tail rotors, full air intake protection and of course pitot systems.

So in fact we have done the round the coast trips in winter (Not too many)but we also flew direct, mostly .

[Shamrock145]

Interesting, thanks.

 

...145

[mickptre]

Your welcome, feel free to ask if you have any other questions on the S92A, I'd be quite happy to answer.

Regards

[Shamrock145]

Another S-92 query.

Having observed the Dublin machine operating over the city and off the coast, it appears to fly with the landing gear constantly down. Is this SOP or a feature of the individual aircraft? Is there a performance penalty for this and what's the reason for it?

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[Pink Panther]

No performance penalty in relation to speed, but an increase in fuel burn.The gear is raised and lowered as required, it can be left down for short hops. If travelling any distance the gear will normally be up. The 92 differs to the 61 in relation to winching in that the gear has to be down to prevent EGPWS aural warnings.

[Shamrock145]

Thanks PP 

...145