Where to next? Puma, Merlin, Chinook or Sea King?

[GipsyMagpie]

The end is in sight...the end of a long and winding road from ATC to the end Multi engine rotary. But what to plug for next? SH would be nice...living in nice bit of the world...seeing all sorts of sunny places. Then again which one? Do I go for three engines or twin rotors. Or do I go yellow and ask for SAR? Opinions/advice anyone? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[jayteeto]

Nice to wish old bean, however you go where you are sent.......

[GipsyMagpie]

Don't I know it! Have to say though that I got exactly what I wanted coming into rotary. I never could quite throw that bit of crumpled paper from one side of the room into the bin against the wall on the tother side. Who'd want to go fast jet anyway! :)

[rotor tree]

I'm sure those jolly nice chaps on Sixty(R) will look after you! End of course disposal is dependant on a) how you did on the course, b) slots available on the OCF's and c) just occasionally what your preference is!

[Tiger_mate]

Rotor Tree said:

I'm sure those jolly nice chaps on Sixty(R) will look after you! &lt;thinks&gt; ^^^^^^^^^ insider knowledge only known by those who need to!

&lt;SHOUTS&gt;

SSSSAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR BBBOOOOOOOOYYYYYYSSSSSS

&lt;Awaits standard reply in eager anticipation&gt;

The chevrons were supposed to be under "Sixty" but didnt quite make it

<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[ 21 February 2002: Message edited by: Tiger_mate ]</p>

[LambJalfraezi]

SARBOYS do everything that SH boys do...and then some. Trooping/loads/etc? Yes...and it's Booorrriiinnnggg. When the bell rings you could be off anywhere. Yes, I'm a SAR boy, and also an SH boy of late. SAR wins hands down, BUT...the Seaking is the most knackered unserviceable lump of Cr*p around. You will spend your life doing airtests and ferrying aircraft around in a desperate bid to convince the politicians that the RAF can run a SAR force...Go SH and get it out of your system, then grow up and go SAR but only when the SeaKing is replaced.

'Everyone knows the Dread Pirate Roberts doesn't take prisoners...' <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[ 21 February 2002: Message edited by: LambJalfraezi ]</p>

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

Advice.....tell rotary to to go...........!!! Fixed wing is the way ahead and the C130J is the bee's knee's. 10 years clipped to gearbox after gearbox and I finally escaped and I will be a milkman before I becombe a crewman again. Without doubt helicopter flying is almost!!!!! as good as sex, however the lifestyle is sh&gt;te....rotary guy's tell me I am wrong! Some good advice now could save some real heartache in the future so come on folks give the "whole" picture.

all spelling mistakes are alcohol induced

[jonewer]

Just don't be sh** and remember what crashin's for. Good luck mate! <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[Red Sikorsky Bruv]

For what it's worth Gypsy, I think you should choose from either the Wokka or the King. If you want real SH - take the Wokka, lift heavy loads, fly for miles, see the world and do some interesting stuff on the way but you might be away an awefull lot and you might live in poor conditions. Best of luck. If, on the other hand, you want the thrills of Rescue (the Search bit is boring), a fairly predictable shift pattern, good quality of life and a warm fuzzy feeling of saving the odd life (every now and again) take SAR. And don't let Lamb J put you off the King, but, if you're as undecided as you seem, you'll certainly keep your options open with the wokka.

[GipsyMagpie]

Not undecided at all...would love to bomb around in Merlins...BUT they do tend to crash some AND they won't be taking abbos for ages...hence the question. And SAR would be great but Valley or Wattisham as possible locations???? don't mind if I don't. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[Dunhovrin]

As an ex-Puma-mate thru and thru I've got to say "Go Chinook". It's the way ahead and you won't wind up stuck in Aldergrove...Just tents everywhere else

[Tiger_mate]

Do**o is a traitor, nah nah, nah, narrh

Puma: u/s wiper blades every day in the Emerald bog where it never rains! NOT

NVG expert quicker than anywhere else though and 7 hour days routinely makes time pass v quick. Benson is a ***** place methinks, and I am glad to be in the land of violence.

T_M

[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: Tiger_mate ]</p>

[PUP]

Dobbo, shame on you! Would you have wanted to fly the double-headed death machine with all those intense "blah, blah, we can lift so much, blah" wokka tw*ts?

. .---------------------

easyJet, BA or Virgin? - place your bets NOW! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: PUP ]</p>

[rotor tree]

Tiger_Mate: Obviously standard reply is SH.......IT!

Remember your cab is French, and the blades go round the wrong way!

[Tiger_mate]

Rotor tree said:

Remember your cab is French, and the blades go round the wrong way!

MMMMM, yes maybe, but it cannot land on ships and has an endurance compatable with my bladder which has to be good. ....and in just a few weeks time, It will be the Daddy!

Wessex RIP

T_M

[papercut]

Tiger_mate

&lt;SHOUTS, LOUDER&gt;

WWWWWAAAAAAANNNNNNKKKKKKKKEEEEERRRRRRRRSSSSSS

Thank you

[Dunhovrin]

T_M,. .. .Gonna be the Daddy soon? Well I hope that means I see more of them 'cos right now all I get is Whistling Chicken Bones passing overhead. I guess that's what living in a green area does for you. Maybe I'll take my spotters book with me to Golo. I hear that's where you lot spend most of your time.. .. .Seriously tho folks - I still feel that the Chinook is the way ahead (as soon as they reduce the crewman establishment on each aircraft down to a more banterable level....). TM is right about the NVG etc if you get Pumas in NI but all that got me was migraines (or was that flying with navs? (except Jenx)).. .. .Whatever the result I would avoid Merloin like the plague.

[SimonK]

gypsy,. . . .I'm getting out of the puma soon...only to escape the benson/aldergrove trap...its a lot of fun and there's tons of flying to be had..operational aswell not poncing around on exercise. As a first tour you'll get a shedload of hours, far more than the vast majority of places and you'll get a lot of responsibility, which takes a lot longer to come on the death banana and sarboy "hhhwwankah" fleet. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> Go Pumas first tour, have some fun, get loads of hours and experience, then put on weight and lose the ability to banter in preparation for the transition to becoming a chinny pilot. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />

[jaffad]

Dunhovrin. I am ashamed of you, after all you did get laid in a Puma! Admittedly it was laid sideways but knowing you, each lay counts! Besides Puma operators don't fanny around like Chinnys, they just take bloody ages to do anything. And SAR, well I won't go near there. Come on you Merlin!

[Dunhovrin]

RHL,. .. .I think I prefer the term 'laid out' rather than 'laid sideways'. I work with stewards now, mate, and one can't be too careful...

[Big Green Arrow]

Not that I know much about proper SH, BUT.....Merlin will be in the front line to go anywhere (that is within its cleared operating envelope yet)..new toy has to be shown to be doing something etc. Chinnook has to be the way ahead if you want to learn your trade quickly. It's a capable frame, it goes quickly, and lifts shed loads..and has some sexy strap on (guns)!. .SAR's alright BUT..... .. .Hey Dobbo where you at...just seen a lovely picture of you in the Big House at EGYD....very nice...the artiste got your good side!

[Dunhovrin]

SHM - You're right it's better to look good than to be good - get the gear UP!. .. .Should I fly Merlin,. .Should I w@nk cats,. .it's all the same you see.. .. .Rotary - tary etc etc (fade to bar).. .. .BGA: Thanks for the comment on the piccie. Aparantly the Commandant threatens young SOs with it. "If you don't try harder - this is what you could end up like!"

[Mmmmnice]

...puts beer down...didn't anyone ever tell you not to listen to plastic pig drivers, not to hang around with sarboys/girls, and don't fly anything made somewhere near Y**vil? doesn't leave much does it? deep down we all want fly the Wokka - once we've grown up naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ole biscuit barrel