What happened to NSW ems drama at 'gong topic

[rough translation]

Pedalstop/Heliport,

Do you guys know what happened to the thread that was all about the isues happening at Wollongong?

This thread is very topical right now. Did you guys delete it, if so, why? Did it become a personal slanging match.

Thanks

[Quickdraw]

RT

Interesting article from the Illawarra Mercury this morning!

CHOPPED! New rescue aircraft operator expected

By JENNY DENNIS
February 10, 2005




WOLLONGONG'S iconic Life Saver rescue helicopter is unlikely to return to the city.

The Mercury understands the NSW Ambulance Service today will announce a new operator and a new aircraft for the Wollongong end of the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service southern region operation.

It is believed the Surf Life Saving Association will no longer operate the Wollongong service.

The Wollongong-based rescue service has been under-used for months, with the distinctive red-nosed chopper constantly left sitting on the tarmac while other helicopters were called to South Coast jobs.

The rot set in last September when southern region chief executive Peter Mangles was suspended without explanation. In December, Mr Mangles was told his contract would not be renewed and he is now taking legal action.



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On Christmas Eve the Wollongong crew was stood down en masse for what new southern region chief executive Doug Menzies described as safety reasons.

The crew maintains it was suspended after approaching management with allegations of harassment and bullying by Sydney paramedics.

Mr Menzies claimed the crew was psychologically fragile and therefore unfit to fly.

On January 31 the out-of-work crew began a sit-in at the Coniston base, supported by community members who have been turning up daily offering home-cooked food and emotional support.

Many Illawarra union members have responded to the helicopter service drama by suspending weekly wage contributions towards its upkeep.

Wollongong City Council is the latest organisation to stop pay contributions.

It now seems unlikely that Life Saver 3 will return to its Coniston hangar.

The helicopter was taken to Sydney for a maintenance check without alerting the ambulance service's Southern Operations radio room at Warilla.

Despite daily assurances that its return was imminent, it has not returned.

Late yesterday Mr Menzies' spokeswoman said

the engineers working on the chopper had replaced its tail rotor blades after a crack was detected. Corrosion also had been found in the winch housing.

"At this stage we are awaiting advice on a time line for these repairs, but we are hoping to have the helicopter back online (this) afternoon," she said.

South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris is calling for urgent talks with NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma.

Mr Rorris said Mr Iemma had committed to preserving a South Coast helicopter rescue service and the community deserved answers.

Mr Mangles - now part of the community-backed push to set up an independent South Coast service - said he assumed the new operation would be an interim measure until the NSW Ambulance Service called for tenders for new contracts, expected mid-year.

"We have told the NSW Ambulance Service we want the opportunity to provide a locally run, locally based, locally managed and funded service in line with other non-government groups."

He said the move to replace the South Coast operation demonstrated that the Minister was sticking by his commitment to the Illawarra.

On Tuesday a spokesman for Mr Iemma said the Wollongong helicopter's continued unreliability was putting pressure on the rest of the state's helicopter network. This reduced flexibility if another helicopter was unavailable.

The NSW Ambulance Service's media unit yesterday refused to confirm or deny that an announcement on the South Coast service was imminent.



:cool:

[Heliport]

No idea.
I assume the originator of the thread removed it.

Heliport :confused:

[rough translation]

So does this mean the originator (Helmet Fire) was wrong after all!

Too proud to eat his word and be humble so lets just rip the thread off any way so all will be forgotten.

I'm sure everone remembers the gist, wasn't Helmet Fire and co. saying they were there for the long haul as they were so committed to the community. The money stopped so they packed their bags and got the hell out of town.

Great commitment? I am not here to slag you personnaly Helmet Fire but you did stand by the company and their ethos quite strongly.

[w_ocker]

Guys. Let me start by saying that I have no conection with this subject, but - along with many others reading this forum - as a professional I have followed it with interest. That said, the previous thread degenerated into some pretty nasty and personal mud-slinging. I have no doubt that this is an emotional subject and that this forum is here to allow us to voice opinions that we may not be able to elsewhere. However, could those posting please refrain from getting personal and making attacks on each other?

Just a request from one professional pilot to the others here.

Cheers
W

[rough translation]

Totally agree w_ocker,lets keep it at a professional level.

Can someone please explain why "elvis has left the building" and hasn't return.

The aircraft left on Sunday lunchtime for a 50 hrly. Our engineers don't work on a Sunday, does Lifesavers?

Why hasn't the aircraft returned to provide a community service. Isn't that why the community donates their money for? To have a chopper on standby in case it is needed.

[HLH]

Hey Quickdraw, any truth to the rumours that Southcare (Canberra EMS mob) has been approached to take over the contract?

[Quickdraw]

HLH,

Southcare... No!


;)

[HLH]

Quickdraw, well then who? I've heard that lifesaver aren't continuing the contract. C'mon mate you seem to have your finger on the pulse - share the goss!

[rough translation]

HLH....try CHC, 6 month contract

[Big Splash]

Careflight are already doing this contract in an A109E with crew and doctors.

CHC did not get a look in.

[Mr Stop]

From the horses mouth.
The WOLLONGONG'S iconic Life Saver rescue helicopter is being used as spare parts for the Syd based helicopter.
Parked U/S. End of story.

[Gimble]

I am distressed by the misuse of this forum by people that make unfounded allegations and speculate. The helicopter is not being used for spare parts.
With the co-operation of NSW Health it has been withdrawn from service to allow the fitting of an autopilot system.
We will be offering NSW Health an economic alternative to other more expensive proposals.
Within six months we will be operating 2 x SPIFR BK117B2s at a rate that ensures the renewal of our existing contract.
You all should know that we own our equipment when others do not. We have standardized equipment type years ago. Others have come onboard with the same equipment further proving its capabilities as a successful multi purpose rescue and EMS helicopter.

[Quickdraw]

Big Splash...

Take another dip! CHC is in big time.

Quickdraw.

[Big Splash]

Quickdraw

What you see is what you get and I see Careflight.
I don’t see CHC. Trust me I am looking.
Pigs will fly before a CHC 412 touches down in the Gong.
You are dreaming!

Splash.

[rough translation]

Gimble,

Sorry no rumours thanks

Fact: NSW Ambulance media relese this afternoon

Due to the "continued BREACH of the FPA, the contract for helicopter services in the Illawarra could not be renewed."

Can't see much coperation there from the NSW Health.

Dreaming about SP IFR aircraft mate, good luck.

[Gimble]

Rough translation
The others are offering 412s
We can achieve every task a 412 can by sensibly and strategically loading the BK.
BK = $1M
412 =$10M
In the cold light of day a 412 is simply to expensive for what you get.
Blue has told them this.
Big toys for big boys.
Sorry, the numbers men are going to win this one.

[helmet fire]

rough T,

I am not here to slag you personally Helmet Fire

Thank god. I was very very worried. For a minute there I thought you were. Phew.

oh, and the bit about:

you did stand by the company and their ethos quite strongly
I guess I do get loyal sometimes....a weakness perhaps?
Which bit worried you SO much that you did not contribute to the discussion yourself?
Was that the bit about the chief pilot having the right to determine the operating parameters? The bit about where the crewman was recruited from? The bit about the sadness of this whole affair because of it's inevitable ending in tears and broken friendships? The bit about the fact that the client determines tasking, not any particular company? The bit about the need to educate the client about percieved better ways of doing it rather than bashing them until they see it your way? The bit about standing up for an organisation that began EMS in Oz? The bit about the blood sweat and tears that the people of Lifesaver have had to put in to get the machine established in Wollongong? The bit about the undoubted professionalism the "rebel" group would bring to a new service but that the utlisation will remain the same because the client has not changed? The bit about the last thread descending into a personalised attack by the imposing mental size and wit of Black hawk down and White hawk up, etc? The bit about the accuracy of the Illawarra Mockery?

Which bit do you want me to eat mate? I am not hungry yet.

You made no contribution to the thread, and neither did anyone after one-are and I said ciao, and a summary by Dirty Visor. Four weeks or so passed, then it was dredged up with irrelevancy, and so I removed the thread lest we descend into the personal crap again. I told you I am naive.

If you want to keep it then create it and contribute to it yourself. I think I said it in the last thread: reason is lost when emotion is high, so I am not sure anything will be achieved by a new round of biterness. w-ocker said it best.
cheers hf

edited for spellink and grammar!

[rough translation]

H F,

Call me a cynic but it is amazing how you decided to pull this topic off the site about 2 days before something big like this went down.

Maybe you may not have too much egg on your face as I see you did have good points throughout the topical thread but I reckon some of your para's who contributed to your thread are eating a little humble pie after today's big setback for LifeSaver. Unfortunately I see them the one that will get away scott free in this whole saga. I am sure they haven't been dragged around by the boys in blue like YOUR crewmates experienced.

You may go back to the start of this thread, I just wanted to know why it got pulled at the most opportunistic time, don't you think it was more than just a coincidence?

Remember I am not getting personal but LifeSaver at the end of the day has just been kicked out of town and are not welcome back because of there mismanagement of there staff (period)!

[Clarence]

The contract has already been offered to CHC and the only reason they arn't there now is that they didn't have the machines and crews available at the time. Now, I don't know if they have them available now or not, but I wouldn't discount CHC yet because the powers to be were deperate to get them in. My bet is CHC; with the outside (and clapped out) chance going to careflight.

Time for the "chook rafflers" to pack up and go back to the beach.

P.S. $1M for a bk117 and $10m for a 412, well careflight always did pay to much for that 412, I wonder if anyone got a backhander?????????

:E :E

[Quickdraw]

Splash,

Please send me a photo of that pig as it fly's past can you... Watch this thread.

Gimble, 10 mil for a 412? not for a second hand one that I'm sure CHC would have lying around. Maybe a spanking new EP with everything fitted. Clarance, you are right, it could be the one that Careflight paid heaps for. :D

I love the rumour network, you never know who knows :ok: :cool:

[200psi]

Well? What is the mercury reporting today

[Big Splash]

Quickdraw
Well!
It seems that pigs can fly and what a pig it is.
CHC has dredged up its oldest crappiest 412 from the NSCA days and is fitting an old hoist and is offering it to the NSW Ambulance as the saviour of the world.
We put an age limit on pilots. Why not helicopters?
That aircraft is full of the same type of wire that the Hunter Region helicopter was before, for safety reasons they had it re-wired at a cost of $1M.
But what the hay! Give it a coat of paint and the silly ambos would not know the diferance.

Safety, Safety, Safety. Until it is expedient to look the other way.

Who makes these decisions? Some staffer that has no clue I’m sure. Probably with the filtered insight of their retreaded aviation consultant that tells them what they want to hear.

Blue you have a lot to answer for.

[Mr Stop]

Kapton®

Splash, is this the word you were looking for?

3M made it. But not any more. Seems it catchers on fire from time to time.

[Gimble]

Guys
I have it on good authority that the ****ter of a 412 classic that CHC is trying to get ready at the moment is only temporary.

[Big Splash]

Someone please tell me why this is difficult to understand.

You pay crap and you get crap.

You pay what it costs to get the job done properly and the job gets done properly.

Or you could pay what it costs to get the job done properly, someone take the profit and delivers crap. Like a vintage 412 for example.

Am I missing something?

[Clarence]

Like those crappy old 412's the Victorian Ambulance Service got from CHC. Oh, that's right they're new arn't they.:p

[rough translation]

Lots are eating humble pie here.

I think a few in the Wollongong area have finally been vindicted from their stance and what they and their families have been through.

[Mr Stop]

Clarence
VH-NSP NEW!!
Compared to you, I guess you are right.
But I think <36108 = old
You are the man you are in the know we bow to your wisdom. NOT.

Come play in our back yard and get shafted again. Don’t you lot learn from your mistakes?

[Quickdraw]

Ahh Splash... you have (I am making an assumption here) clearly no idea of what's crap and what's not :D

Just cause an airframe is old does not mean it's crap, ever heard of referb's? I say bring the on big boys, who else can but a 412 in there at such short notice? you get what you pay for in this industry! which is why Lifesaver is not there I guess?


Look up in the sky it's a bird, it's a plane...... it's, its,.... it's a pig!!!!!!!!


All in good fun Splash! :ok:

[Clarence]

Mr Stop,
You must read the post before you criticize it. The aircraft on the Victorian Ambulance Service contract are NEW. NSP is a venerable old aircraft but it is certainly not new; but I'm sure it will do until the new aircraft turn up:E :E

Lets wait and see shall we? ;)

[Screwed™]

Come play in our back yard and get shafted again. The problem Mr Stop IS your back yard.
Had it not been littered with poor management, poor attitude and understandably equally poor results, you'd be staying in the house. As it is, the landlord want's you out....now.
You won't be getting a good reference.

[Big Splash]

Ahh Quickdraw
I would not like you to think I was having anything else but fun.

It’s a pig alright. But you won’t find it up in the sky. You will find it spread all over the hanger floor.

No tanks or single engine performance to speak of. It’s a pig.

Referb is that when all those parts find their way back to where they belong? Is there time to paint it?

Splash

[helmet fire]

rough trans,
I do not think it is time to gloat. No one appears to be dining on humble pie, and certainly there are no "vindicated" parties in this affair other than possibly CHC who get to have a crack at demonstrating their lack of politics and their focus on task performance. Indeed they are the only real winners here.

What of the people of the Illawarra who have poured so much into establishing and keeping Lifesaver going in the 'gong?

As for the Wollongong staff, are they now redundant? The pilots are needed in Sydney, but are the crewman? This is the detail and the reality of politcs. It's all fun until someone loses an eye, and in this case, what of their livelihoods?

I wonder who will be paying them now that their jobs have been assigned to CHC. I hope someone does, because they have young families, and we should all reflect on the impact upon those families as a result of political games. That is the sad reality. The rest of the finger pointing is what got us to this point in the first place.

(edited to take out some finger pointing of my own!! Sorry.)

[Heliport]

There are those who feel they can hide behind assumed names but we know who you are bro! But it's OK to hide behind an assumed name to make threats like that, is it? :rolleyes:

I suggest you find another helicopter forum. We don't want people like you here.

Heliport

[Heliport]

ABC News Online Rescue chopper decision brings disappointment

The Illawarra will have a new rescue helicopter service at the end of the month after yesterday's decision to end the contract of the Lifesaver Three helicopter.

Adelaide-based operator CHC Australia, which runs the Southcare helicopter in Canberra, will take over until new contracts are offered in July.

NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma says the decision was made to end the contract due to the unreliability of Lifesaver Three.

"We've given them enough time to sort through the difficulties that they have had and they've been unable to do that and as a result we've made this decision and it's made on legal advice," he said.

The chief executive officer of the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Doug Menzies, says he is bitterly disappointed by the decision.

Mr Menzies says the dispute with the Wollongong-based Lifesaver crew is ongoing and until it is resolved there is no way it can fly again.

He says he is shocked by tactics employed by the union movement during the dispute and feels it is partly to blame for the contract's termination.

"We're just pretty disappointed, my statement says we are pretty disappointed with the tactics adopted and believe that its been one of the reasons that we've had the contract not extended," he said.

[trimpot]

The behemoth cometh.

Let's hope they pick up some of the crews.

[PO dust devil]

Maybe the fundraisers should refund the donated money without delay.......or at least reveal to all where it's gone. Nothing sinister alleged here, but I bet the mum and dad punters will be shocked how much there ain't. People should rightly be aware of the rorting that goes on in some community based card houses.

Don't be savage that an experienced commercial operator comes in to do the job.......... it's what they do dummy. Same as a commercial operator shouldn't whine if a community based organisation can do it cheaper and with "charity" status. Good luck to them if they can align all players and planets to sustain a service. Good luck to an operator with the professionalism to do it as a business.

After reading the snipe and innuendo here, I can say that it's no wonder it didn't work at the GONG. Players have apparently behaved without restraint and are now reaping the rewards. Congratulations, you've done a wonderful job.

[Big Splash]

Dargan
Enough about the flying pig OK.

“Jump on board with the sleeping giant” Are you nuts! It’s not a sleeping giant for starters. It’s more like a malignant melanoma.
They aren’t taking on any of the old crew anyway. Something about the need for a culture change.

Splash

[Mr Stop]

Clarence
VH-NSP is an old clunker.
Answer me these questions. If you answer yes for more than 50% of them, it’s a clunker.

1 When you look underneath the belly during your daily, do you get oil on your shirt?
2 Are the Maintainers all old and snarly with cuts and scratchers up their hands and arms?
3 Are the blades always out of track?
4 Are some of the wires a brow/orange colour?
5 Do Vietnam veterans get nostalgic when you let them get to close?
6 Is it a Classic?
7 Do you wish it had more range?
8 Do you wish it had some OEI capability?

Venerable old aircraft = Clunker


It’s a clunker. Don’t worry the ambos will not know the difference.
Shame you are not taking on any of the old crew.

[rough translation]

Helmet Fire,

I am not gloating by any strech of the imagination.

I have expressed my disappointed after observing many months of too and frowing of issues between Sydney and Wollongong when there was 'room on my horse for two'.

Why did it come to this stage, you know people in your company didn't like change so when someone comes along with a great ideas they got kicked and knocked down even when it is IAW CASA's regulations. But totally agree, lets not go back over old ground, LifeSaver three is dead and buried in the Wollongong area and I really can't see it ever returning after the performance of upper manangement and sibling (please note not flight crew).

I believe the perptrators have got away with causing the fraucas and as they "what comes around goes around" as we are starting to see.

I am not upset only frustrated that a well maintained airframe with proper SOPs in place can be destroyed over a few egos by people who know nothing about aviation whatsoever.

God speed that the guys in the gong get recognised for their determination in what they stood for and what they believed in. These guys are the professional aviators who were strong enough to stand up and say when enough is enough. Its a pity that some of you Sydney guys didn't stand up and be counted when the chips were down on these guys, I am sure they would have apprecitaed it. You guys would rather have supported the non-aviators and that the most disappointing aspect because I'm sure you know how important it is for you individuals to work as a team, not a team working as individuals.

Days have change from my era, these days people are made acountable and I for one totally support anyone whether it be a chief crewman or a lackie sweeping the hangar floor when they speak about issues serious enough to break down crewmanship!

[Loose Mast Nut]

If that is the same 412, it was working in 1986 in Victoria and was sold to Lloyd Helicopters around 1989.

It then lived its life in Latrobe Valley until it failed to meet the Victorian Government Specifications, then over to Perth but could not meet those specifications either.

Wonder how long it will take Uncle Bob to realise he has a Occupational Health and Safety liability issue, but doesn't yet know it??

Bet the Ambo's Union don't yet know about it either !!

[Clarence]

Mr Stop
NSP is an old machine. A very reliable old machine. Show me any 412, new or old that does not leak a bit of oil. I'm sure it meets all regulatory requirements imposed by Bell, CASA and the NSW ambulance service.

Loose Mast Nut
I don't think Bob needs to be too concerned. CHC is complient with the highest quality and OHS standards . ISO 9002 and all that other good stuff. Certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) no less; the world leaders with the toughest requirements (as are Jayrow for that matter). Unlike some of the local operators who are certified by the local bloke out of the yellow pages who just happens to be a sponsor.

I think you will also find that NSP did meet the specs in Victoria for many years until the specs were changed and CHC delivered new aircraft (ZERO TIME NEW) that met the specs. NSP did not meet the specs in WA either and was only ever there as a stop gap until the aircraft that did meet the specs turned up. But don't let the truth get in the way of your argument.

It will be the same in NSW. NSP will fill the gap until the Ambulance service decide what they want and CHC will provide. Does the Southcare machine meet the specs required? I think you will find it does.

Personally I'm disappointed that CHC are not taking on any of the old crews, but from what I gather this has come from further up the totum pole. I would imagine that your comments are not helping their (the old crews) cause either, they all look at this sight you know. :E

[Blackhawk9]

In reply to Big Splash,Mr Stop and Loose Mast Nut a few answers to there questions and assumptions.

1. Oil on the belly of a Bell. Yep! show me a 205/212/412 that doesn't leak and there are about 10,000 of them and the all seem to fly ok!
2.No i'm not old but i do get snarly with people who don't have the facts.
3.Yes its a 412 the blades do as they want! But is it Rough or out of the 412 Maintenance limits ? No! Myself or any other 412 engineer I know wouldn't let it fly.
4.Maybe but it works and is airworthy.
5.Yes .Because it looks and sounds like a real Helicopter not a Eurotrash that sounds like an X wing from star wars.
6.Yes, don't you call something a classic when it's woth having like a Mustang or a Camero or a P51 or C47.
7.Classic std fuel 255 nm, 1x 90gal 320nm, 2x 90gal 415 nm
EP std fuel 350nm,1x90gal 445nm,2x90gal 545nm.
1000'pa 30oc oat is that far enough for you!!
8.OEI in Classic PT6- 3 BE/BF/BG fitted not old 3B's similar OEI to SP and early HP. Are you now going to tell Newcastle and QES that there 412's don't have OEI as well.
And what if NSP breaks ? well i'm pretty sure CHC will have another 412 (BZH/UAH) there within a couple of days ,tell me who else in OZ can supply a backup a/c of similar performance within a couple of days?............................waiting!!!!!

But what would I know i'm only an engineer with AUST,UK ,and UAE Licences on Grp 2,19, 205,212,412, S76, 214ST, AS332 and can identify a Helo 2 out of 3 times!!!

[piggy_mcbeef]

· Why don`t we all calm down.
· The CHC contract is only a stopgap for a couple of months until the new contracts are awarded. CHC claimed to have a suitable (although expensive) aircraft available to fill in for the short term .
· 412s are not a contender for a uniform aircraft type for NSW as recommended by the review .
· 412s (new or old) are too expensive for a cash-strapped NSW economy .
· CHC and its loss-making initial low-entry price & competition-exterminating tactic , followed by its rapidly escalating price-hiking monopolistic tactic , is not affordable by NSW health .
· NSW Health and Blue are well aware of these traditional tactics of CHC, and of CHC/Bond`s history in Australia , when they attempted and temporarily succeeded in overturning Bristow in Karratha some years ago , to Woodside`s subsequent regret and dumping of CHC/Bond.
· Experts like Blue have not forgotten , and will be advising NSW health of the long term dangers of entering into long term contracts with such monopolistic foreign-owned ruthless operators .

[Gimble]

Guys
I have done some ringing around and have found the following.

When the new arrangements are put out to tender (and they will be) the preferred operator will provide:

Two crewed helicopters and one un-crewed reserve.

There will be one operator or one consortium with one point of contact for NSW Health.

The specs will be written around a 412. Face this fact. Right or wrong, like it or not, that is what the ambos want, fact of life. End of story.

BK117s are soon going to be part of NSW EMS history. I think this is a very narrow view but we are talking ambos remember.

Preferred crewing model is the same as Surf and CareFlight use now. Provision of doctors is being arranged outside of the helicopter tender.

Tenderers will be assessed on cost, track record of reliability and co-operation with NSW Health.

Any thing less than a 412 will not get a look in.

Reading between the lines, I believe there are only two contenders. They are Careflight/Surf V CHC. As both parties will be offering the same equipment one assumes the costing will be similar.

The awarding of the contract may well come down to reputation and NSWs Health experience in dealing with those parties.

Let me tell you that the ambos are delighted with the pending arrival of their CHC 412 in the Gong.

A message to Careflight. Teaming up with Surf might mark the end of your helicopter wing. But as I understand it, helicopters are only one facit of Careflights operation. And I am told that moves have already been made by Careflight to reduce capital assets in this area.

So it looks to me like after all these years and all the work that has gone into establishing the NGO operators it is about to come to an end. It looks like we are going to hand it all to a foreign-owned company. I wonder what the contributing public will have to say. It would be nice to think they would raise hell but this is not happening in the Gong.

As for Blue, ambulance are a big animal, they don’t like surprises, Blue likes his job. He will tell exactly what they want to hear. And they want to hear 412s. Ask one of them for your self.

Unfortunately neither Surf nor CareFlight have any current 412 expertise.

Sad times for the current operators.

[200psi]

Who employ Australians just like many other 'foreign- owned' companies in this country

[Clarence]

Mr Stop said,

"Come play in our back yard and get shafted again. Don’t you lot learn from your mistakes?"

Right back at you Mr Stop! :E

[Av8r]

When the new arrangements are put out to tender (and they will be) Which bases are we talking here in June?

[Gimble]

Due to recent unforseen circumstances the June date has been reviewed.
One base for Syd
Gong location to be reviewed south.

[3 o'clock]

A question for the CHC camp – why won’t you employ current staff, surely their experience is of value? :confused:

[trimpot]

3 O'Clock
I think the reason is two fold.
1. It's a short term fill in contract so they don't want to hire any additional staff.
2. They probably have, at this time of year, enough existing staff to cover this (comparatively small) contract without hiring anyone.
There is probably a third reason but no there's need to go into that.

[K-L]

The most experienced EMS crew in the nation (as regularly noted in the Mockery)

The call for CHC to employee the backseat boys in the gong, Why? Oh yes they are the super heroes of the nation they walk through shopping centres with their helmet on, burn sausages on weekends and scare babies at 100 meters. The most highly trained EMS crews in the nation. How many EMS missions did they do? and what skills do they have to make them so valuable in comparison to the rest of the nation. These back set boys have been blowing hot air up you now where for to long time. CHC is a professional organization that does not need the union mentality and work effect of such a bunch of rebel misfits that were responsible for their own demise. Helmet fire is correct about the reality of this whole saga that certain individuals families will suffer because of the intoxication of Alby Freidrich cult like organization, “but you know what happens when you play with fire”.

Anyone see today’s Mockery Surf is now blaming the union movement for its demise in the gong. Is this not what I was highlighting in the past gong theme that has sadly been removed.

Alby’s puppet is mentioned a lot in today’s mockery article. Since the shaven leg brigade, need to look for new income, could they not go into theatre and put together an performance PUPPETRY of the PENIS?. Since one of the followers is an ex -exotic dancer and all have a wealth of experience of having their hand on it they would be a smash hit, but god forbid don’t venture outside that picket fence.


Information of what the aircraft of choice and the biding contenders, who knows I sure that all contenders will supply what is required or they wont get a look in? But I am sure that the gossip will be ramped. Have not read any complaints by local gong people in any news print when they receive that exceptional good service by Surf and Careflight that results in rescue or medivac to a higher level of medical care. By the way anyone knows how many patients Careflight and Surf Sydney transport a year throughout the whole state not including the picket fence?.

Well guys I guess this saga has much more to unfold, slowly the truth is emerging.

[one-are]

Once again Bob Down, you have shown your professinalism again.

Note PILOT rumour network, take your dirty personal comments somewhere else, we don't need it here!!! We can tell you are not a pilot because you have nothing sensible to contribute!!!

1R

[Nigel Osborn]

16 years ago CHC had a 412 at the Gong. This was replaced by a 76 15 years ago. Both machines & crews did a great job.
I see no reason why CHC with a 412 will not still do a great job.
As I don't know the previous operators, I've no idea about their performance these last 15 years.:ok:

[3 o'clock]

Thankyou Trimpot. Would I be correct to assume that K-L's post , although somewhat vindictive, gives possible insight into your third point? :ooh:

[trimpot]

As I said, there is really no need to go into that;)

[piggy_mcbeef]

"Nigel Osbourne" _ CHC did not have a base at Woolongong 16 years ago . CHC did not exist 16 years ago . The company there then was a wholy owned Australian company called Lloyd Helicopters . An Australian/Canadian company called Brambles Okanagan which did only offshore work , failed and disappeared some years before . perhaps you have confused this company with Lloyds and/ or Brambles .

"Gimble" -You have staed that Surf/CareFlight have no 412 expertise . A quick check has found that almost 100% of engineers are licenced on the 412 and a large majority fo pilots are qualified and have massive experience on the aircraft . A large inventory of spare parts still exist in store as well as the EMS fit-outs .

[Nigel Osborn]

Piggy

You are right. CHC did not exist 16 years ago. LLoyds became part of Bond Helicopters, then part of Helicopter Services of Norway, then CHC. As I spent 10 years with Lloyd, Bond, Helicopter Services, CHC and 6 years with Brambles/Okanagan and 15 months with North Scottish/ Bond in Scotland, I do have a vague idea who those companies are.
My simple point is that a 412 and then a 76 did a good job.

[John Eacott]

Piggy,

1985 the NSCA Victorian Division set up a Bell 412, VH-NSO, at Albion Park. Their helipad is still there. With the demise of Freddo's Army, Guy Lloyd bought up much of the equipment, and went from strength to strength.

Nigel was an Okanagan Australia pilot (like me), I'm sure he knows their background well! They had absolutely nothing to do with SAR/EMS, strictly offshore support. Except for the introduction of the Bambi Bucket into Australia, using a B206 crosshired from Tasmania and contracted to the Victorian Department of Environment in about 1982/83.

As for the 'Gong, what a shame that a few can wreck the work of so many :(

[goof]

Lower your shields and prepare to be assimilated.

Ha ha, good work One Look.

A lot of people have said a lot of things but you you are the only one to get it right.

[Gimble]

Piggy
I would not recommend quoting me. I have a bad record.
But it you must, you really should go to the trouble of getting it right.
“Unfortunately neither Surf nor CareFlight have any current 412 expertise.”
I believe this to be true. I would check your other facts as well. But what the hell it is a rumour network.
Anyway, I thought you were a BK man. Turn coat.

Gimble.

[Sarbe]

Mc beef,
You are obviously not as much in the know as you think you might be. If you do a little digging you might find that Lloyd helicopters still exsist as a company in Australia. Trading as CHC Helicopters (Australia). You might also find that the company is not that much different. Many of the same staff, same head office etc. You might also find that there are still some staff there that worked the Gong in the NSCA days as well as the "Lloyd" days.


The world keeps on moving, get over it & move on !!!!!
:ok:

[Clarence]

I suppose the worry for the scareflight and smurf types is that the community will realise that commercial operators can do the job to the same standard, without the politics, without the hype and without the army of fundraisers sucking donations out of the community. :suspect:

[piggy_mcbeef]

Clarence : at least the funds sucked out of the community ( which are derived from those people who freely decide that they need these services ) are spent in Australia enhancing these same services , rather than exporting these funds overseas for the profit of foreign investors . Are you a patriot ? Or perhaps you are yet another opportunistic parasitic blow-in from across the Tasman ?

[Big Splash]

Piggy

You and Gimble Stop seem to share a common distrust of our friends over the Tasman.
We were told they upset Gimble Stop by leaving him unpaid phone bills.
What did they do to you?
I am seriously interested because I too have had a negative experience or two with kiwis.
Shurly they can not all be miserable, opportunistic, tight and dishonest. Maybe aviation attracts a certain kind.
Maybe all the good ones stay at home and the dregs end up here.

Splash

[wineboy]

I have heard that NSW Ambo service asked CHC to go to a 24hr operation to take up the slack that Westpac has left because their winch is U/S.

It took CHC less than 24 hours to place addional Pilots and Crewman/Rescue Crewman on-site at the Gong... good job boys!

[wineboy]

Hammer Head, I don't think so do you?

Come on it's got nothing to do with Tax payer funded, Charity, Private.. what ever you wish to lable it, It has to do with capability, resource's of which the local's don't, didn't will never have. All I am highlighting is the fact that, that's what the locals are up against... tas all.

;)

[PO dust devil]

"Maybe the fundraisers should refund the donated money without delay.......or at least reveal to all where it's gone. Nothing sinister alleged here, but I bet the mum and dad punters will be shocked how much there ain't. People should rightly be aware of the rorting that goes on in some community based card houses."

- self on 13feb05


I still reckon the mum and dads who answered the rattling tins deserve to know the answers.

"Where's all the money gone?"

[helmet fire]

wineboy,
perhaps you are forgetting that from about june to sept 2000 (my memory is a bit rough here) "the locals" did in fact provide a 24/7 IFR service due to a conflict in major aircraft servicing schedules of CareFlight and ChildFlight. And at very short notice.

And when you call them "locals" I think you forget that they are (were) part of the Lifesaver service, and thus had resource and capability access that a single machine set up could not hope to emulate without the resource issues that hammer headed mentions.

[Capt Benetton]

Me thinks the rapid positioning of crews in the gong by chc may have something to do with a small!!!!! overstaffing problem they have at the moment??????

[helo1]

some people have short memorys as CareFlight used to run a 412 just a couple of years ago