Originally Posted by
Baldeep Inminj
That is what happens when a company with no clue selects the cheapest aircraft solution, rather than the correct one. It has taken over 2 years to get to this point, and they are still not training students in winching. Compared to the DHFS with the Griffin, the failure of MFTS is staggering.
Students will stand outboard and lean against a harness, just like none of the frontline types they will fly. Such a huge step backwards from the 412.
The crews at Valley are fantastic though, and none of this is their fault. They were given an almost impossible task, and they have achieved this despite MFTS, not because of it.
Not wanting to burst your bubble but...l headed SAR implementation team for the Griffin...same things were said about kneeling in the door back in ‘97 when Griffin was introduced...similar points raised about Sea King single engine capability compared to Wessex...you should know that issues with Griffin hoist delayed student training for well over a year - just checked my log book - causing much chaos and angst in SARF....but the sun still rose and the moon set.
Yes, the winch op position is different - but works for basic maritime training.
Jupiter/145 also introduces students to the hoist pendant controller increasingly used by modern helicopters, ensures OIE with 5 crew and 1:30 hover endurance at zero wind in summer, provides modern 4 axis AFCS as intro to modern types, has a glass cockpit compatible with front line and doesn’t fail the hoist if you lose an engine.
It’s not perfect - I’ve flown that at “X” times the running cost of a Jupiter and struggled to find customers willing to pay the price... - point is, Jupiter works for basic maritime training.
Yes, 412 developed into a great platform for basic maritime training...so will Jupiter