G.A.S.U.

[Silver]

What is the future for the GASU as far as pilots and hangars are concerned -

Will Air Corps pilots continue to fly the GASU helis and plane (only  they can do so at present for security reasons) ?

And will the GASU continue to be based at Casement ?

[sealion]

The selection of the EC135 as the Air Corps new LUH almost guarantees that the GASU will have Air Corps Pilots for a long time to come.If the Air Corps will cease to fly the aircraft,then they will continue to play a huge part in the Training of the Pilots,and Maintenance of the aircraft.
The tenders for the new helis mentioned FLIR as an option on the UH,so it is possible that they would wish to keep an aircraft in the Air Corps inventory capable of backing up the GASU in the event of aircraft overhaul or special security events where an eye in the sky in invaluable.However,I doubt they will be permanently based in Baldonnel for much longer. In the last few years the Helis have seen prolongued deployment to the States other major cities. Limerick had the EC135 almost permanently during the summer,and its currently to be seen in the skies of cork.
The GASU has proved itself capable of being a valuable asset in the war on crime, and local authorities and garda management outside the Capitol are keen to see these aircraft used in their locations,having seen the effectthey have made in Dublin since 1997.
The gardai want to fly their own aircraft,and indeed why shouldn't they? Do taxi drivers drive patrol cars?

[Stinger]

Does anybody think that the unit should be expanded.  If so what type of aircraft should be bought

[sealion]

More of the same. A Heli for each of the Major cities at least. The Defender should be an Air Corps aircraft though. Its use in  Surveillance by Gardai is equally useful in a military role.

[Fouga]

well said sealion! here here! the RAF use defenders in NI for covert ops

[Silver]

I agree with the choice of Defender for the Corps.

However, didn't the GASU model have a lot of 'teething' problems ? Are these full sorted ?

I thought the BA in N.I used Islanders  '>

[Stinger]

In my opinion the fleet should be expanded but I think there needs to be more fleet commonality and that the servicing of the aircraft should be returned to the air corps personnel

[futurepilot]

Quote (Silver @ 20 Dec. 2004,21:01)

I thought the BA in N.I used Islanders  '>

Same thing really

[Silver]

"Same thing really"

Not really;

Defender = Twin engined, Larger.
Islander = Single engined, Smaller.  

[Frank]

Actually,

The only real difference between the Islander and the Defender, apart from the avionics suite, is the fact that the Defender has turboprop engines, both are roughly the same size and both have two engines.


Regards,

Frank.

[Tony Kearns]

The GASU fixed wing aircraft is an Islander.

[sealion]

Its surprising the number of people who have just demonstrated their lack of knowledge on the subject this board is dedicated to in one thread...

PBN Defender

PBN Islander.

[Tony Kearns]

Put your tongue back in, throw the shovel out of the hole and get out. Check the CAA certification for the aircraft before you criticise.

[Lurk]

Tony Kearns is correct. It is a BN2T4S Islander, and although described as a Defender, is described as such for marketing purposes, and role description.

As Britten Norman say, The Defender 4000, is a stretched version of the Islander which encompasses inherent flexibility with a sizeable increase in payload and endurance.

How about getting back to topic, or opening a Defender thread?

[Tony Kearns]

Thank you Lurk!