G-GMPA in Isle of Man

[STANDTO]

Well, I thought my bosses had finally seen the light this morning, as police-role equipped Twin Squirrel G-GMPA touched down on the Vagabonds Rugby Pitch next to Police HQ. Still respendant in High Conspicuity colours, and looking a lot less than the hours on its little airframe, it seems we are becoming a regular haven for ex north west police suirrels (G-BOOV is now a regular TT arrival as a medevac chopper. )

Just wondering what brought it over here - not that it is any of my business :D

[STANDTO]

Come on, someone must know!!!!:sad:

[md902man]

It's not the as355 that's up for sale is it? I'll look into it but I do know a twin squirrel is up for sale and it's a police role equipped one. Standby one.:hmm:

Just checked and I dont think it\'s the one I thought it was. Maybe it was just on holiday or a jolly?

[STANDTO]

I thought GMP had sold their interest in this when they bought the MD900. It was deep south last I heard

[quichemech]

Are you sure of the reg. Will check it out as it is deep south as you put it.

GMP no longer have a connection with the aircraft unless they lease it in as cover if the 900 is on major maint. :ok:

[STANDTO]

Deep South, well Gloucester, actually.

Come to think of it, is that not where PAS operate from? That might explain things, as they have been providing a Bolkow for the Health Service to use during TT and MGP. Some bright spark built the hospital on the inside of the course, you see.

Seem to have managed to justify it up to now.....

PS, it definitely was GMPA. Years of reading registration plates on vehicles going the other way has served me well!

[PANews]

I havn't any idea what GMPA was actually doing in the IoM, however police role equipped machines [usually oldies from the mainland] regularly get hired either for events, operations or just to keep the nominated crews trained up.

As for GMPA its just one of many kept in trim by a range of operators who keep them role equipped 'just in case'.

Main users are the railway police but all the forces without direct access to air support [ie Kent, Lincs, Cumbria, IoM] might be seen using them for time to time.

[doublesix]

GMPA is owned by Police Aviation Services. It was used by GM police for a few days prior to its being seen in the Isle of Man as a relief aircraft whilst the Force MD 902 was undergoing maintenance. It then positioned out from Barton to the IOM for some evaluation trials with the local police. Hope this answers your queries.:ok:

[STANDTO]

Erm, I am the local police. Its news to me.:hmm:

[doublesix]

Standto.

GMPA positioned out to IOM to take part in what I was led to believe was Tetra radio tests. ( I assumed with the cops). Could be something to do with comms for the TT. The rest is fact. The aircraft returned to the police unit at Barton the following day to refuel on its return to Staverton.

[STANDTO]

Aha, thats why I didn't know....

All our comms (police fire ambulance) are managed by the Communications division of the Department for Home Affairs, via an Emergency Services Joint Control Room. As PAS supply the Helo for the Ambulance Service, I would figure that the TETRA tests were for that, rather than having to use the old (now defunct) VHF system, or the aircraft's own comms for deployment.

This would also be of use to the airmed copters for the races, though I believe they are still sources through Aeromega.

I thought for a moment I had missed the most important milestone in the Isle of Man Constabularys history by taking a weeks leave. It was all the more strange seeing as I had just left the firearms office, discussing the feasibility of air support for an event later this year. I was met with the usual " If you spent as much time thinking about policework as helicopters, etc etc...."

Some people just don't understand:{