German-reg 206 on Power Line duty in Ireland.

[500 Fan]

This 206 has been based in Ireland for some time now and according to some sources, is engaged in Power Line Survey work here.

D-HAFA Bell 206B (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/5102391213/)

http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1263497M.jpg

I saw it flying back and forth over Weston on Sunday afternoon, apparently doing some kind of survey work and yesterday it was over Dublin City Centre flying a similar profile, back and forth. Does anyone know who is operating this heli in Ireland or is it being operated by a German operator on a contract for an Irish company, either heli company or electric company? The Irish Jetranger population is very small these days and I'm not sure any are operated commercially any more here.

I would guess that Irish Helicopters Ltd are not operating this machine as they could probably get a PDG Jet Ranger in from the UK if they needed one. As far as I know, Irish Helicopters now operate a Twin Squirrel on Power Line Inspection Duty these days.

Also, can an Irish-Licensed commercial pilot fly this aircraft on such a contract here or would the pilot have to hold a German Commercial License? It's interesting to see a foreign-registered helicopter doing commercial work here. Thanks.

500 Fan.

[bolkow]

no idea I'm afraid, but glad to hear they now operate a twin on that job, since an old contact of mine Fred Balcombe RIP died in that single engine after gear failure out west some time back. In fact I think that was one of the recommendation from that report?

[eivissa]

That 206 was operated by Agrarflug in 2010. No idea if this is still the case in 2011, but this company does have some international contracts.

[helihub]

I also heard that this 206 had been doing some line work, including in the Dundalk area back in October 2010. (overnighting at Cork, see here (http://aerspace.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/bell-206-d-hafa-visits-cork/), and see description under the photo from someone local)

It was at Weston on Monday of this week, although I have no info as to what work it was involved in, if any.

Agrarflug have also recently provided a D reg Bell 205 for lifting work in the Derbyshire Peak District, operating from a field adjacent to the Grouse Inn at Glossop - see photos here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/qsyonroute/tags/dhafh/)

[500 Fan]

IrishHeliPilot, I am not rabbiting on about anything. The source that indicated this helicopter was used in power line work is the person who posted this photo;

D-HAFA Bell 206B | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/5102391213/)
Just read the caption.

What I found interesting was the fact that a German-registered helicopter was being flown commercially in Ireland. If it was a specialised helicopter like a KA-32 or Super Puma (being used for heavy-lift work, for example), it would be understandable why a foreign-reg helicopter was being used here, but when it is a standard airframe, with what appears to be no special equipment fitted, it just begs the question; Why? There is nothing sinister in my question and I am not trying to sh1t-stir.

It is good to see Executive Helicopters doing well with things like the power-line and fire-fighting contracts. Times are tough for any heli operator here at the moment.

500 Fan.

[170']

The ability to cross-hire/lease a/c within the EU is one of the advantages of having JAA/EASA. Hand in hand with that is the total lack of requirement to do anything on the part of a pilot. If you work for any Euro mainland outfit, you will often fly Eurostate a/c in line service. One fire season I flew ES,D,F,G all with the same outfit. Documentation for bringing in a foreign leased machine is similar to checking compliance with a new (to the company) state registered machine. this is a part of EASA that actually works quite well mostly, as little to no interpretation is required. If a UK or Irish operator can get a better lease/financial deal from another state, he can move on it.

In fact, Ireland and the UK seem to be out in the cold on this as we seldom see these machines competing in the mainland 'International' Market' except in the offshore divisions. The smaller operators seem content trying to squeeze a little money out of a practically non existent Market...

The question about needing to be German licenced is a bit of a shock as we've been JAA/EASA for quite a while now..

Nothing in the above is to be taken as support or positive criticism of EASA.
It's a mess and looks like it'll stay that way long past my 'use by date'

170'

[500 Fan]

Hardy Buck and 170', thanks for the answers. I think that is everything covered. Case closed.

500 Fan.