Second Hand Aircraft

[clan]

Taj, keep the teddy in the pram, you may need it again.
An Upgrade on four aircraft what ever the cost is cheaper then a new aircraft and to the four upgrafed and re-roles aircraft with 6 New MLHs and you sort of have a fleet "sort of" .
How about keeping the odd A111 for an Air Corp Reserve, made up of ex Air Corp pilots. The proposed Museum only needs one.

[Imshi-Yallah]

Its not a good idea because it would cost more than it would benefit us and actually hamper operational effectiveness.

[Fouga]

wow there was 6 troops getting out of that panther! howcome we struggle you say?

[MatRotor]

got to agree with taj, the decision has definitely been made. the toy is broken and we're not going to play with it no matter how well you fix it!!!! '>
Imshi you can fit and carry six equiped troops and a crewman in the back of our dauphin, you just can't carry enough go juice to go anywhere

[Imshi-Yallah]

Well from my point of view thats the same thing

[Taj]

Teddy? Well thats about all an upgraded Dauphin could carry over any decent range clan.
If the matter was yet to be finalised, then there might actually be a point in discussing it here.The fact of the matter is that upgrades were considered more than once and while cheaper than buying new aircraft, it was not considered cost effective to spend that amount of money upgrading almost 20 year old aircraft for no increase in operational capability. The final decision on the matter was taken by the people who have flown and tried to maintain these machines for 18 years-experts on the matter as far as Im concerned.Its all very well saying that the Brazilian machines look nice,but the problem with the Dauphins began 20 years ago with their one of a kind systems and avionics.
It is unfortunate, but your arguments are now hindsight.

[MatRotor]

well said taj.  they bought a sporty model and then compromised the performance by adding all the cool  gadgets and optional extras. kinda like the two garda helis...

[clan]

Fair enough, I personnaly think it was daft decision, As I really cannot see Mr Smith buying anything decent anytime soon.
So, if you had Euro 150m to spend on aircraft today, And this is all you were going to get for the next 10 Years. Equip the Corp using real prices from real Aircraft currently for sale today.

[Imshi-Yallah]

10x Modern MLHs with a good after sales deal, 6-8 Low hour Bell 212s for flight training and utility.
outsource basic flying training.

[clan]

What MLH's and how much, is this it then 16 helicopters and 8 Pilatus aircraft, for the next 10 years.

Taj, seeing as you are in the Know about these things, what are the A111's and the Dauphins being replaced with if they are being replaced.

[Imshi-Yallah]

Well for the 14m range you're looking at latest gen S-70s rather than S-92s, other than that Cougar or NH90 are all fairly close together.
The PC-9 is a trainer we don't need more unless we plan in vastly increasing the size of the IAC.
The CN-235 is the only other vaguely important aircraft but they can be reasonably expected to soldier on as long as they get another additition to the fleet (another 16m at most) and don't run them into the ground as trainers and VIP transports.
If the population had any personal courage we might reduce the number of MLHs and 212s in order to squeeze in pair of fixed wing transports for 30m or so.

[Taj]

Clan,
All of the current fleet is being replaced with a single type.
The tendering process will begin shortly,but as the tender will be more or less general-stating the forecast roles for the heli and not helicopter size, the manufacturers will have a hard time coming up with the right cost/performance balance.
Without giving too much detail from the magazine away, going on the stated roles a larger heli is required.It is possible that more than on type will be put forward by each manufacturer,leaving it to the powers that be to decide which one is the most suitable.
It will be interesting to see how the evaluation process is worked on this one.

[clan]

So we want a truck with the speed of a ferrai, that has the fuel economy of a micra, and looks like a porsche, in green. Some job bidding for that.

When is the magazine out on the shelves, and what is it called.

[Taj]

That is one of the best descriptions I have ever heard!!!
In an ideal world clan!
Magazine is out in two weeks and its called Wings Ireland....I might have to quote you at some stage!

[IAS]

Taj, where will it be available? How often will it be published? Is it available by mailorder?

IAS