Help Required - Female Crew in SAR Heli?

[Ali Barber]

Can anyone answer a question for me? Does the RAF SAR world have female crewmembers who go down the wire on the winch? It's a genuine question and I'll explain the background in a private message if you want. Thanks.

[swinging monkey]

Ali,

Not Yet!!
But watch this space - I doubt if it will be long!
They are already in the ront seats, so I'm sure it will be only a matter of time.
Regards

The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, is that winch op wearing makeup?'

[left one o clock]

Ali,
Did you say female, or feminine?
More seriously, although there are, as yet, no lady winchmen (hmmm) all Loadmasters (soon to be WSOps) do a brief SAR famil course as part of their basic training.
As the monkey said, it's probably only a matter of time.
I have to say however, that although I consider myself to be a fairly 'enlightened' non-sexist type, it would have to be a fairly exceptional girl who passed the SAR crewman's course. If you are harbouring an ambition to do this, I wish you luck, but would advise you to have a standby career plan.
L1O

[Triple Matched TQ]

Ali

The Royal Navy does!

[Ascend Charlie]

Not actual crew, but we used to get plenty of female volunteers to be winched at Williamtown SAR Flight.

One such lady was being briefed on the procedures, and we asked her if she had been hoisted before.

"I've been up on one before, but I have never gone down on one." was her reply.

We all grinned....

[Ali Barber]

Thanks for the info guys.

Sorry left one o'clock, I'm not going through a sex change to become a female winchy. Anyway, I already like the view from the front seat - and thanks again for the rapid responses.

Ali

[RS15]

1st girlie has just passed pre-select at SARTU. wait out

[jungly]

We had plenty of RAF Medics who served very well with us in Bosnia. Some of these were women, young CPLs mostly, and all of whom 'rode the wire' into sometimes very unpleasant situations.

They were considered crewmembers in all respects.....they even had the ability, from their seat, to fire flares if they saw a SAM threat. Similarly calling gunfire threats etc.

They may not have been breveted and touch with the golden hand of SARTU but they did the job and did it very well.

I would argue therefore that Yes, the crabs have had SAR crewmembers already.

[swinging monkey]

Jungly,

I am not sexist, nor do I wish to blow my own trumpet however,
the job is physically very very demanding, and whilst it may not be PC, the fairer sex are simply NOT up to it, IN THE MAIN.

Sure, the odd one or two may be able to hack it, but they will be in a tiny minority, and the injury/attrition rate is high. Infact it's very high.

Nevertheless, it would be nice to share the inside of my yellow egg whisk with a nice young blonde (sorry girls) although I'm not sure how she will take to dressing up in a one-piece, tailor made rubber suit, we'll have to see!!

Oh dear, I'll have to go and have a lie down now:O

Regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, a large Grouse, and make it quick old boy!'

[Triple Matched TQ]

swinging monkey

Just a question - Is it "the fairer sex are simply NOT up to it, IN THE MAIN" or the fact that many of them are not interested?

And as for "I'm not sure how she will take to dressing up in a one-piece, tailor made rubber suit", don't forget there are plenty of females out there who are doing it everyday from HM ships. And may I say some look pretty tidy in their suits - maybe thats too long at sea though.

Just a thought.

[Green Flash]

T M TQ

I think you've got it there.

It could be Swinging Monkey, a rubber suited girlie or me mother in law on the end of the wire, if I was somewhere I shouldn't be I'd not be checking what flovour it is, I'd just grab hold!

[Pub User]

Surely all SAR crews are female, regardless of biological gender?

I'm sure a sturdy WRAF could straighten the winch cable as well as anyone.

[sparklygirl]

ok, i know this is a military aircrew forum and i know that im a civvi but i am female and i am a loadmaster/winchman! ive only been doing my job for a year and im not a sar crewman but i fully intend to get there eventually!
it is hard work but i love my job and i wouldnt change it for the world!!

oh and i love wearing my rubber suit!!::D

[gijoe]

Sparkly,

Which operation would that be for then and where did you do your training?

(Serious questions by the way)

G :confused:

[Myra Leese]

Although never part of the SAR force, 72 Sqn used to maintain a SAR standby from Aldergrove. All of the Sqn crewmen with few exceptions were rostered at some point to be the SAR winchman for a shift, including Sue Leadbetter as she was then. She was very keen and very good so forget any gender bias, proper training and attitude are what is required as lack of physical strength can often be compensated by technique.

[fuel2noise]

What a load of sexist tosh (most of the posts above). As an ex-navy ASW type I can tell you that the female aircrewmen I've flown with have all been well up to the job...including SAR winchman. Good luck to sparklygirl - don't let the un-reconstituted hairy-arsed crewmen stand in your way!!