South Yorkshire Police are obviously still very keen to keep their own helicopter. According to the news a couple of days ago they are now considering paying their (involuntary) subscription to NPAS and still finding the money to retain what they have!
Strikes me as amazing that the public and politicians are being sold this..
Looking at the costs involved
http://meetings.southyorks.gov.uk/mg...2928&T=9&zTS=A
They appear to be seriously considering the "option 3".. whereby they operate 10 hours per day 7 days a week..
The cost 1.686 million per year..
Current cost of running their own unit (INCLUDING MAINTENANCE..!)
cost 1.68 million per year....
So for an
increase in costs, they will lose use of their own a/c for half the period they run now.
Lose their maintenance section
Lose half their Observers
Lose half their Pilots
Lose a manager
Oh.. but cover for the rest of the period will come from NPAS.. so thats ok then..
Ah.. but only 700 hours per year INCLUDING travelling time of the "visiting" a/c.
Tell me again. Whats the advantage of doing this..?
