Helicopter ops in Ireland (not Irish Helicopters Ltd)
Avoid imitations
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Excellent job, chaps!
Caption, last photo above:
"No, no crewman, I said BALES out, not BAIL out!"
Caption, last photo above:
"No, no crewman, I said BALES out, not BAIL out!"
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Medevac 112
National Ambulance Service paramedics assist MedEvac 112 loading a patient in Mountshannon, Co. Clare on 18th July 2013.
Patient with traumatic injuries flown to the Emergency Department at Galway University Hospital.
Flight time 13 minutes.
Galway University Hospital has been very busy this week with numerous heli arrivals and departures. It might be the busiest heli-pad in the country at the moment.
There have been five movements there today already. An S-92 and AW139 at around 1am this morning and an S-61 and 2 X AW139s this afternoon. The Air Ambulance AW139 is a daily visitor here in Galway and it seems the Air Ambulance Service is very successful after a shaky start. I understand the trial period for the service is over soon and the government have now to decide whether to go full-time with the service or, perhaps unlikely, abandon the service.
500 Fan.
There have been five movements there today already. An S-92 and AW139 at around 1am this morning and an S-61 and 2 X AW139s this afternoon. The Air Ambulance AW139 is a daily visitor here in Galway and it seems the Air Ambulance Service is very successful after a shaky start. I understand the trial period for the service is over soon and the government have now to decide whether to go full-time with the service or, perhaps unlikely, abandon the service.
500 Fan.
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A newborn boy owes his safe delivery to the Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo-based search and rescue helicopter crew, following an emergency medical evacuation from Donegal’s Arranmore island.
Irish Coast Guard winchman and paramedic Gary Robertson delivered the baby in the corridor of Letterkenny General Hospital, minutes after the helicopter touched down on Friday night, 19th July.
The baby and his mother, Siobhán Lawlor, are reported to be in good health after the experience, which almost occurred in mid-air. It was her second child.
Irish Coast Guard Sligo helicopter winch operator John McCartney said the fact the crew were flying the newly leased Sikorsky S-92 was instrumental in arriving at hospital just in time. “The new helicopter was 15 minutes faster than the old S-61 would have been,” Mr McCartney said yesterday.
The helicopter's pilots on this mission were Brendan Jackman and Sean Redahan.
Irish Coast Guard winchman and paramedic Gary Robertson delivered the baby in the corridor of Letterkenny General Hospital, minutes after the helicopter touched down on Friday night, 19th July.
The baby and his mother, Siobhán Lawlor, are reported to be in good health after the experience, which almost occurred in mid-air. It was her second child.
Irish Coast Guard Sligo helicopter winch operator John McCartney said the fact the crew were flying the newly leased Sikorsky S-92 was instrumental in arriving at hospital just in time. “The new helicopter was 15 minutes faster than the old S-61 would have been,” Mr McCartney said yesterday.
The helicopter's pilots on this mission were Brendan Jackman and Sean Redahan.
Rescue helicopter winchman delivers baby boy - The Irish Times - Mon, Jul 22, 2013
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TWO Coast Guard pilots have made Irish aviation history by flying the first all-female mission for the service
Woman pilots make Coast Guard history - Independent.ie
The Shannon-based search and rescue Helicopter R115 flew its first missions with a female pilot and co-pilot, Capt Dara Fitzpatrick and Capt Carmel Kirby.
Capt Dara Fitzpatrick (left) and Capt Carmel Kirby who flew the first all-female mission
Capt Fitzpatrick is the chief pilot for rescue 117 at the Waterford base and was on transfer to Shannon to build up flying hours on the new Sikorski S92, which is due to replace the S61 in Waterford in mid-September.
Capt Dara Fitzpatrick (left) and Capt Carmel Kirby who flew the first all-female mission
Capt Fitzpatrick is the chief pilot for rescue 117 at the Waterford base and was on transfer to Shannon to build up flying hours on the new Sikorski S92, which is due to replace the S61 in Waterford in mid-September.
Here is a photo taken today at Weston Airport of EI-SAR, the Mitsubishi-built member of CHC's fleet.
This helicopter has been parked up there for the last few days. I don't know if it has been removed from service or what exactly the story is with this airframe. It seems likely though that the S-61N's days are numbered here in Ireland with the arrival of the S-92. I think Dublin is the last Irish Coastguard base that has yet to transition to the S-92, if in fact they haven't already done so.
The S-61N is arguably the last of the "classic" helicopter types that have graced Irish skies to retire, the BO-105 and Alouette III being the others to fly for periods in excess of thirty years.
The badge just behind the RESCUE titles is a design commemorating 50 years of service for this particular airframe. Here is a link to a facebook competition to design said badge.
https://www.facebook.com/Rescue117.O...93236994050159
In a slightly related story, Galway Airport is closing down. As far as I'm aware, this is the only site supplying Jet A1 fuel to the helicopter community in the Galway area. The SAR S-61N was a regular visitor to Galway Airport for fuel after having dropped off a casualty at Galway University Hospital. Perhaps the S-92 will be able to carry greater reserves of fuel and won't require a fuel source in Galway before returning to base. Perhaps Inverin Airport might start selling Jet A1 to cater for the (albeit small) demand for this fuel from the various Irish helicopter operators.
500 Fan.
This helicopter has been parked up there for the last few days. I don't know if it has been removed from service or what exactly the story is with this airframe. It seems likely though that the S-61N's days are numbered here in Ireland with the arrival of the S-92. I think Dublin is the last Irish Coastguard base that has yet to transition to the S-92, if in fact they haven't already done so.
The S-61N is arguably the last of the "classic" helicopter types that have graced Irish skies to retire, the BO-105 and Alouette III being the others to fly for periods in excess of thirty years.
The badge just behind the RESCUE titles is a design commemorating 50 years of service for this particular airframe. Here is a link to a facebook competition to design said badge.
https://www.facebook.com/Rescue117.O...93236994050159
In a slightly related story, Galway Airport is closing down. As far as I'm aware, this is the only site supplying Jet A1 fuel to the helicopter community in the Galway area. The SAR S-61N was a regular visitor to Galway Airport for fuel after having dropped off a casualty at Galway University Hospital. Perhaps the S-92 will be able to carry greater reserves of fuel and won't require a fuel source in Galway before returning to base. Perhaps Inverin Airport might start selling Jet A1 to cater for the (albeit small) demand for this fuel from the various Irish helicopter operators.
500 Fan.
The Irish Air Corps today celebrated 50 years of rotary wing operations.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
Here's to another 50 years of proud service to the Irish nation.
Here are a few photos of some of the Irish Air Corps fleet from down through the years. All photos are my own unless stated.
Copyright; Banterops, Flickr
Copyright; Malcolm Nason
Copyright; Carl Ford
Copyright; Malcolm Nason
500 Fan.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
Here's to another 50 years of proud service to the Irish nation.
Here are a few photos of some of the Irish Air Corps fleet from down through the years. All photos are my own unless stated.
Copyright; Banterops, Flickr
Copyright; Malcolm Nason
Copyright; Carl Ford
Copyright; Malcolm Nason
500 Fan.
Here are a couple of photos of a small operation undertaken by the IAC recently that is a little out of the ordinary.
The Irish Times
The building materials will be used in the new year to upgrade the paths used by tourists visiting this island.
Skellig Michael - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
500 Fan.
The Irish Times
The building materials will be used in the new year to upgrade the paths used by tourists visiting this island.
Skellig Michael - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
500 Fan.
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Skellig airlift
How can the Dept. of Defence deprive a civil operator from carrying out
such a commercial contract ?
I thought they could not tender for civil contracts . Is it not unfair competition ?
How can the Dept. of Defence deprive a civil operator from carrying out
such a commercial contract ?
I thought they could not tender for civil contracts . Is it not unfair competition ?
Yes I was also surprised at that. Though what Civil operator would have took on the job? I'm guessing PDG!
The Chinook had the supplies moved in 2 days I believe with the help of the AW139s!
The Chinook had the supplies moved in 2 days I believe with the help of the AW139s!
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Need to justify existence could be due a Medevac service not likely being renewed at the end of the year. And before it's jumped all over it has been described how a surprisingly large percentage of missions were not of a nature requiring HEMS transportation.......
Perhaps the status of that island might have something to do with the selection of the Irish Air Corps for this particular job?
"Aid to the civilian populace" has always been the raison d'etre for the helicopter unit within the IAC, be that SAR, air ambulance, aerial fire fighting or rescue during severe weather events (snow, flooding). I guess this operation falls into that category. Presumably the government felt there was some political gain to be had from solely employing state assets in this job and so it is doubtful that any tender was issued for this work.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are charged with maintaining the facilities on the island and given that they are a state body, they presumably hatched the plan for this job, including IAC involvement. I'd guess the IAC undertook the work because they were ordered to do so by someone in the Department of Defence. It is doubtful too much consideration was given to using a commercial helicopter company but responsibility for that decision probably doesn't lie with the IAC.
A little more info here.
Essential renovation works to begin on Skellig Michael - Environmental News | The Irish Times - Sun, Dec 01, 2013
500 Fan.
"Aid to the civilian populace" has always been the raison d'etre for the helicopter unit within the IAC, be that SAR, air ambulance, aerial fire fighting or rescue during severe weather events (snow, flooding). I guess this operation falls into that category. Presumably the government felt there was some political gain to be had from solely employing state assets in this job and so it is doubtful that any tender was issued for this work.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are charged with maintaining the facilities on the island and given that they are a state body, they presumably hatched the plan for this job, including IAC involvement. I'd guess the IAC undertook the work because they were ordered to do so by someone in the Department of Defence. It is doubtful too much consideration was given to using a commercial helicopter company but responsibility for that decision probably doesn't lie with the IAC.
A little more info here.
Essential renovation works to begin on Skellig Michael - Environmental News | The Irish Times - Sun, Dec 01, 2013
500 Fan.
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500 fan,
The commercial helicopter industry in Ireland is on it's knees. The few companies that are left should have been able to at least price that job, and maybe one of them get a turn out of it. The IAC craves public attention at every opportunity to justify its existence and in my opinion is a jack of all trades and master of none.
From a military point of view it seems it has little to do at the mo. Grant it, it did do a good job at helping out farmers in difficulty in NI during the cold spell earlier in the year along with the AAC and RAF, but using the term "aid to the civil power" to do commercial operators out of business should not be happening.
The commercial helicopter industry in Ireland is on it's knees. The few companies that are left should have been able to at least price that job, and maybe one of them get a turn out of it. The IAC craves public attention at every opportunity to justify its existence and in my opinion is a jack of all trades and master of none.
From a military point of view it seems it has little to do at the mo. Grant it, it did do a good job at helping out farmers in difficulty in NI during the cold spell earlier in the year along with the AAC and RAF, but using the term "aid to the civil power" to do commercial operators out of business should not be happening.
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It is doubtful too much consideration was given to using a commercial helicopter company
Really ,
The Irish Lights and OPW work has been carried out by a commercial operator for the past 30 years or so .
Why the change now ?
Surely in these recessionary times , a civil company would welcome an opportunity to tender for this work, especially as there are very experienced sling pilots available.
Is there not a clause somewhere that states the aer corp cannot compete for private business.
Perhaps the status of that island might have something to do with the selection of the Irish Air Corps for this particular job?
I don't understand what Island status has to do with this operation.
CHC,a private company already operates medevac and SAR to the offshore islands.
Really ,
The Irish Lights and OPW work has been carried out by a commercial operator for the past 30 years or so .
Why the change now ?
Surely in these recessionary times , a civil company would welcome an opportunity to tender for this work, especially as there are very experienced sling pilots available.
Is there not a clause somewhere that states the aer corp cannot compete for private business.
Perhaps the status of that island might have something to do with the selection of the Irish Air Corps for this particular job?
I don't understand what Island status has to do with this operation.
CHC,a private company already operates medevac and SAR to the offshore islands.
I agree with you that commercial operators in Ireland are struggling for work at the moment but I doubt the IAC canvassed for this work to deliberately deprive a commercial operator of the job and associated revenue. My guess is that they were approached by a government body to undertake this work and did so. From start to finish, it appears this work on the Skelligs was kept as a solely "government" operation.
Irish Helicopters did similar work many moons ago with an S-61N so, yes, this work has been carried out in the past by a commercial operator. The other issue is; Who is footing the cost of the use of the helicopter? Is the cost of the helicopter coming out of the IAC's own budget or is the OPW or other government agency paying for the cost? If it turns out that the IAC funded the flying for this operation, having been directed to do so, the head OPW bean counter is going to look like a hero as he got the use of a helicopter for free, or so it will appear to his boss. If any glory-hunting went on here, my guess is that it wasn't necessarily carried out by the IAC.
In reply to Red;
It is doubtful too much consideration was given to using a commercial helicopter company
I can only assume that this is the case (see my comments above regarding who is footing the bill for the helicopter)
Really ,
The Irish Lights and OPW work has been carried out by a commercial operator for the past 30 years or so .
Why the change now?
I don't honestly know. Perhaps this information can be obtained under a Freedom of Information request.
Surely in these recessionary times, a civil company would welcome an opportunity to tender for this work, especially as there are very experienced sling pilots available.
Yes, I agree with you on this score.
Is there not a clause somewhere that states the aer corp cannot compete for private business.
Again, I don't know but I think this issue came up in the past when the most recent SAR contract was awarded.
Perhaps the status of that island might have something to do with the selection of the Irish Air Corps for this particular job?
I don't understand what Island status has to do with this operation.
CHC,a private company already operates medevac and SAR to the offshore islands.
When I refer to the status of the Skellig islands, I'm referring to their being inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. Access to the island is strictly controlled so maybe this impacted on the selection of the IAC for this job. Only the guys at Irish Helicopters can comment on what exactly the situation is with those islands as regards helicopters and who has been supporting the OPW in the last few years. Did someone in the OPW, or some other government department charged with looking after the island, dictate a change from commercial helicopters to IAC helicopters? I don't know.
Given that the IAC have not been sanctioned to deploy helicopters abroad in support of Irish Defence Forces peace-keeping operations with the U.N. or N.A.T.O. at the moment, they are limited to operations on the island of Ireland. As far as I know, they haven't even sent aircraft to Scandinavia at any point in support of Nordic Battle Group training. That means, rightly or wrongly, there is some overlap in what the IAC and commercial operators do in areas like aerial fire-fighting, air ambulance/EMS work and now external load operations. Perhaps the only way to open up these jobs to a competition between all operators in Ireland is to challenge the government on the issue and they generally aren't going to listen unless you get them before the courts. If a commercial operator can show they can do the job cheaper then the IAC, someone in opposition in the Dail might raise the issue.
500 Fan.
Irish Helicopters did similar work many moons ago with an S-61N so, yes, this work has been carried out in the past by a commercial operator. The other issue is; Who is footing the cost of the use of the helicopter? Is the cost of the helicopter coming out of the IAC's own budget or is the OPW or other government agency paying for the cost? If it turns out that the IAC funded the flying for this operation, having been directed to do so, the head OPW bean counter is going to look like a hero as he got the use of a helicopter for free, or so it will appear to his boss. If any glory-hunting went on here, my guess is that it wasn't necessarily carried out by the IAC.
In reply to Red;
It is doubtful too much consideration was given to using a commercial helicopter company
I can only assume that this is the case (see my comments above regarding who is footing the bill for the helicopter)
Really ,
The Irish Lights and OPW work has been carried out by a commercial operator for the past 30 years or so .
Why the change now?
I don't honestly know. Perhaps this information can be obtained under a Freedom of Information request.
Surely in these recessionary times, a civil company would welcome an opportunity to tender for this work, especially as there are very experienced sling pilots available.
Yes, I agree with you on this score.
Is there not a clause somewhere that states the aer corp cannot compete for private business.
Again, I don't know but I think this issue came up in the past when the most recent SAR contract was awarded.
Perhaps the status of that island might have something to do with the selection of the Irish Air Corps for this particular job?
I don't understand what Island status has to do with this operation.
CHC,a private company already operates medevac and SAR to the offshore islands.
When I refer to the status of the Skellig islands, I'm referring to their being inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. Access to the island is strictly controlled so maybe this impacted on the selection of the IAC for this job. Only the guys at Irish Helicopters can comment on what exactly the situation is with those islands as regards helicopters and who has been supporting the OPW in the last few years. Did someone in the OPW, or some other government department charged with looking after the island, dictate a change from commercial helicopters to IAC helicopters? I don't know.
Given that the IAC have not been sanctioned to deploy helicopters abroad in support of Irish Defence Forces peace-keeping operations with the U.N. or N.A.T.O. at the moment, they are limited to operations on the island of Ireland. As far as I know, they haven't even sent aircraft to Scandinavia at any point in support of Nordic Battle Group training. That means, rightly or wrongly, there is some overlap in what the IAC and commercial operators do in areas like aerial fire-fighting, air ambulance/EMS work and now external load operations. Perhaps the only way to open up these jobs to a competition between all operators in Ireland is to challenge the government on the issue and they generally aren't going to listen unless you get them before the courts. If a commercial operator can show they can do the job cheaper then the IAC, someone in opposition in the Dail might raise the issue.
500 Fan.