First PC-9M pictures - More pictures added

[Claudel Hopson]

Hi Lads

Just to let you all know of the four photos of the PC9M above the first three show 260 being compass swung before its first flip on the Thursday 5th February. We were looking out the classroom window at it. Books are good but you can't beat the real thing.

When we left last week 261 262 and 263 were in final assembly.

[Viper]

A lot of yee have probably seen this already, but just in case, here's an article from last April's An Cosantoir about the PC 9. Tis pretty interesting stuff

http://www.military.ie/images....-03.pdf

[John K]

Hey Claudel, up your swiss! Back to reality now! FF, how do you know 'the horse'?

[John K]

Hey Viper, Thanks for that link, but reading the article do you think to non-aircraft people (ie the majority of AnCosantoir readers!) the article expects them to know what the writer is talking about? Comms, etc.
Good news about the maintenance though! All the techies will be able to slope off! You first, Claudel! And don't forget the newer an aircraft the less maintenance it needs! (Funny enough that's what our management at BA think as well!!)

[Viper]

No problem about the article John, 'tis interesting stuff alright. I wouldn't go around saying that it'll be less work for the techies though, it might give some people ideas on trimming costs back a bit more '>

[Claudel Hopson]

You are all starting to sound like the drivers here. All they can figure out is "Kick the Tyres and Light the Fires"

The planes may be new but they do need looking after, especially with the ejection seats and trainee pilots in them. The pre-flight, turn around and post flight inspections are quite involved and with 4 to 6 or even 8 of them on the ramp will be manpower intensive, especially when armed.

[yellowjacket]

The Swiss have legal issues with exporting weapon-fitted aircraft, I think Slovenia had to get pylons fitted on their PC9's somewhere else.

Does the same thing affect the Irish aircraft?

[p.diddy.cool]

welcome back silver!

very nice pics, something to be proud of! but i still prefer helis... ha ha ha

regards P.D.C.

[Fouga]

Hey PDC what will you end up flying when the Dauphin leaves?

[yossarian]

I am mistaken most probably, but I was just playing football in Ringsend, looked up and saw grey prop driven aircraft at low level with straight-edged wing tips and could've sworn I saw a roundel.

Are the new PC-9s here?

[Claudel Hopson]

No

[sealion]

When then?

[P.Doff]

What you saw yossarian was what looked like a mooney something or other I seen it too it was in formation with what looked like a Robin flying up the liffey. I believe the PC-9's(4 of them) will be here the last week of April, am I right Claudell??

[202]

Thought the original announcement indicated that the first two would arrive in March ... has the timetable slipped?

[Claudel Hopson]

We are told that the first 3 will be arriving around mid April. 260 is going to Austria and 261 262 263 will be coming together.

Delivery fell back a month because of problems getting some parts from USA.