So here we are...
As the year slowly ticks on by, little has been heard from TRHT, other than to confirm the departure of TWO more Pilots after their relatively short tenure with 'Inflite' (aka HeliLink) and the TRHT operation. While no-one would criticise any self-respecting Pilot for seeking to extend their skills and experience, and improve their income opportunities, the expense incurred in repeatedly rating Pilots to an aircraft like the AW109 is indeed considerable, and is of course ultimately born by the community. So that said, the Trust must now rate two more pilots to their AW109 aircraft. To date that's a total of 9 Pilots by my calculation, since the introduction of the new AW119 in 2007, assuming of course that there are Pilots out there who are willing to make a move to TRHT under their current financial circumstances. Has anyone thought to look at why this has happened?
And let's not forget the paid crewmen and admin support staff, if there are any left. They could be forgiven for feeling more than a little 'nervous' about their respective futures as well, and especially so when your web site reports only 4 missions over the October month so far and similar numbers of EMS workload for previous months this year.
Come on Mr Masters, you were right out front with your hand out (again) not too many months ago telling all that the 'end was nigh' unless nearly half a million dollars was forthcoming before the end of 2012. TRHT is a Community Asset that has been heavily funded by the communities of the Taranaki Province for many years now. Surely it's time for an update on the fate of Taranaki's Rescue Helicopter, or should the people of Taranaki be planning to see the summer through under the watchful (but distant) eye of their neighbouring Rescue Helicopter Services?
And while you're at it, what is it you plan to do to ensure there won't be a repeat performance anytime soon? I'm sure many would agree that a $400,000 rescue package buys the community some 'up front transparency' instead of the 'smoke and mirrors' they've been used to seeing so far.
Last edited by P40 Kittyhawk; 25th Oct 2012 at 12:53.