AFM October 2005

[Fouga]

AFM reports that Dauphin 247 which was on display at the RAF Valley charity photocall on August 11th from 301Sqn was retired as soon as she returned to Baldonnel making it her last flight. 247's fate is undecided as she was specially modified for the Irish Air Corps and cannot be sold with its current equipment fit. AFM also reports that Dauphin 244 was retired on August 14th 2003 and 245 by early August 2005 leaving only 248 active at that time. In addition Alouettes 211 and 213 have been withdrawn from use and by 2007 all Dauphins, Alouettes and Gazelles will be fully withdrawn.

[Turkey]

Lifted from a post on IMO
244 and 245 permanently sidelined at the moment, 246 and 247 are still in operation, but are expected to stop soon as is the Gazelle[ probally around Christmas for the Gazelle].
248 was indeed the one lost at Tramore.
As for the A111 fleet, 213 has just finished inspection and will be back in the air shortly, 211 is undergoing inspection and will also be returning to service, 212 will shortly have a 'T' inspection and will also go back into service.
The current plan is that when the rest of the fleets inspections fall due they will be withdrawn.

Thanks for fixin edit Frank.....

[pilatus]

that report was definitly inaccurate as247 is still flying!i know this as i was standing about30meters away from it at the helipad at the back of letterkenny general on friday at about 1 o'clock.oh yes and frank i would like to congratulate you on the survey of the aircorps!very interesting!oh and the learjet looked gorgeous in that picture!

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

I wouldn't pay too much heed to the news report in AFM, from what I've heard the Dauphin's & Alouette's will be remaining in service until the AB139's are operational, some may be stored (as some of the Dauphin's are now) but both types still have a few year's service left yet.

pilatus, thanks for the feedback, you're the first person who has noticed that I wrote the second Air Corps article in AFM!  Glad you like the pictures too.


Regards,

Frank.

[IAS]

What issue, it's not that easy to get a copy here but it's possible if I know the issue.

Thks,
IAS

[Frank]

The issue is the current issue, October 2005.

[futurepilot]

Quote (Frank @ 19 Sep. 2005,22:46)

The issue is the current issue, October 2005.

Cool, will definatly get that. Haven`t had the chance to yet. There was a discussion on IMO about this. Don`t know how they came to the conclusion that 248 was still flying though.




Go Mairdis Beo.

[Fouga]

Where abouts is your column Frank? I feel stupid for posting this thread yet relieved to know that you guys have corrected it, Frank maybe a letter to AFM with all the corrections to their news which is inaccurate might be right?

[sealion]

AFM have been surprisingly inaccurate in th epast in relation to the Air Corps. It often seems like they get their news from listening to the Gossip in the pubs of Rathcoole.

[pilatus]

Fouga the article is in the survey of european air forces!Ireland is the last "air force" reviewed.should be easy to find it got a pic of one of the pc9s and the lear on it!iv already written a letter to AFM about the dauphin and the state of the helicopter fleet.they normally publish such letters in their feedback section.

[Silver]

Just got AFM today - excellent article Frank !

......and nice aircraft shots aswell !!

[Frank]

Thanks Silver!

[pilatus]

i saw another Dauphin over Letterkenny today,it took me by surprise so i couldnt get a pic of it.im going to have my camera ready now at all times because i dont know when they are being retired and would like a few new pics.yesterday in work aswell it was kinda funny because this guys order came to 365(euro) and he gave me a fiver and his change was 135(euro) it was kinda wierd though like sa365 being replaced by the ec135.i know its not directly replacing it but will do in air ambulance!

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
I saw that article and for Heaven's sake, lads, they could be forgiven for making a small mistake about a small force, given the sheer volume of information they have to process every month.Incidentally, since when were the Cessna squadron called "Hawkeyes"?! Puh-lease!!  '>
regards
GttC
PS: The Fouga squadron used to be known at hangar level as "Rat Squadron", because of the number of backstabbin' b'stards working there.

[Fouga]

GTTC Do continue please.