Marchetti's and Dauphins

[Viper]

Seeing that I'm on a posting roll here, what's the current state of Marchetti and Dauphin operations? Are they still flying? Will the Marchetti's be sold to Belgium as was mentioned some time back? Thanks for the info.

Also, off the point, but when is the PC 9 sim going to be up and running (if not already)?

[Taj]

The Marchettis have been placed in storage pending a decision on their future. When the PC-9's were successfully fired at the start of the month the plug was pulled. They were being flown every few weeks to keep them operational but not anymore. No 230 is destined for the museum and another aircraft which was undergoing a major overhaul/rebuild is being left in it's current state(completely dismantled). I dont know what the plans are for them in the long term.
One Dauphin currently in the air and flying very actively.
Haven't heard anything re the sim.

Taj

[Silver]

I would have thought that it would make more sense to finish the overhaul/rebuild ? ............surely the Marchetti will be worth a lot more in one piece ?

In an idea world, the Marchetti's would be retained and used for AC reserve pilot training/continuation training.

Still, good news that 230 will be retained for the museum !

[Taj]

Apparantly the overhaul was being done by outside contractors and it was decided that it would be more cost effective to pull the plug rather than continue with an overhaul on an aircraft that would never be flying again in IAC service.

[clan]

Is the second Dauphin still in Norway?

[Fouga]

Clan did you not just read that there is only ONE flying ? ? ? ? ?  Why does everybody still think we have more than ONE flying?'>? '>

[Bigwillie]

Easy there Fouga. Don't be so quick to jump down someone's throat. "Everybody still thinks we have more than one flying" because we do. There are 2 Dauphins still operational. Taj is incorrect in saying there is only one.

Cheers. '>

[Taj]

I stand corrected Bigwillie-I thought that without overhaul one aircraft was to be withdrawn in December leaving only the Norway Dauphin that was overhauled??

[clan]

So sorry Fouga,but do try and check, before you jump down someones throat.

[Snapper]

For info - I saw Dauphin 247 flying @ BAL on December 29th
 '>
H N Y to all

[Fouga]

there ya go so 2 Operational but in all fairness they are going and it is annoying that ppl here still think they can be resurrected when they are well and truly gone.

[clan]

Why is it annoying???, relax man

Did anyone see CNN last night, with the Indian Navy A111's been featured working in the disaster area in Asia. They looked fantastic and still up to the job.

[Silver]

Yes, I saw them also clan.

And interesting to see that they were operating from the deck of an Indian Navy ship ?!

[clan]

It is a wonder how India can do it with A111's yet we seem unable. They did look fantastic though.

[Claudel Hopson]

The current state of the Marchetti's which TAJ has posted is incorrect.

Four are currently in storage, one of which will go to the museum, but hasn't been decided which one.

There are three left, two which are "S" but will be put into storage this month. The last one is not in a dismantled state on its overhaul but in one piece and waiting for it's post IRAN test and check flight series to clear it off inspection and then it will be put in storage.

Heli Sqdn are currently putting a third Dauphin back into service. They are just waiting for parts.