26th Jul 2001, 14:11
There is always going to be a certain amount of myth and mis-information spread whenever a helicopter crashes.
Everybody becomes an aviation expert especially the media espousing colourful language with newpaper selling headlines such as - "Helicopter crashes - five die" etc which those of you who operate in the commercial environment tranlate as "My phone is going to stop ringing!"
When Capricorn Helicopter Rescue was set up under a QES CHP - Community Helicopter Provider contract, tenders where called inviting experienced helicopter operators with all the normal credentials and equipment expected to undertake such an operation. Many established and reputable operators tendered. The contract was awarded to a company with no experience in this specialised field, no AoC of their own and initially no helicopter equipped for the task.
The operation commenced using another rescue operator's AoC until some 18 months later the incumbent was awarded its own AoC by CASA. In the intervening 18 months the fund raising and other commercial activities where conducted and advertised as the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service. A clear breach of CAR 210.
During the next few years - absorbing two complete right offs and five fatalities the Community Board members embarked on establishing themselves as the owner operator by purchasing their own helicopter and contrary to popular belief applying for and being awarded their own AoC. (Check the CASA website)
They had fairly quickly worked out that they were paying off someone elses helicopter with the tax payer and community funds so they may as well pay off their own!
These CHP receive significant contributions from the State Govt Emergency Service - where were the audits both operational and financial that you might expect under such an arrangement?
Who was it who decided that a single-engine machine had the capability to fly NGT VFR 135nm out to sea - contemplate a rescue? and then return with fuel reserves and alternate requirements intact?
What where the jerry cans inside the cabin for - mid-air refuelling?
:eek:
Everybody becomes an aviation expert especially the media espousing colourful language with newpaper selling headlines such as - "Helicopter crashes - five die" etc which those of you who operate in the commercial environment tranlate as "My phone is going to stop ringing!"
When Capricorn Helicopter Rescue was set up under a QES CHP - Community Helicopter Provider contract, tenders where called inviting experienced helicopter operators with all the normal credentials and equipment expected to undertake such an operation. Many established and reputable operators tendered. The contract was awarded to a company with no experience in this specialised field, no AoC of their own and initially no helicopter equipped for the task.
The operation commenced using another rescue operator's AoC until some 18 months later the incumbent was awarded its own AoC by CASA. In the intervening 18 months the fund raising and other commercial activities where conducted and advertised as the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service. A clear breach of CAR 210.
During the next few years - absorbing two complete right offs and five fatalities the Community Board members embarked on establishing themselves as the owner operator by purchasing their own helicopter and contrary to popular belief applying for and being awarded their own AoC. (Check the CASA website)
They had fairly quickly worked out that they were paying off someone elses helicopter with the tax payer and community funds so they may as well pay off their own!
These CHP receive significant contributions from the State Govt Emergency Service - where were the audits both operational and financial that you might expect under such an arrangement?
Who was it who decided that a single-engine machine had the capability to fly NGT VFR 135nm out to sea - contemplate a rescue? and then return with fuel reserves and alternate requirements intact?
What where the jerry cans inside the cabin for - mid-air refuelling?
:eek: