Merged: Qantas Airbus On Indian Ocean Rescue Mission.
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The QF fleet blog has the A330 involved as a -300, not a -200.
As they were pretty much empty the endurance would still be pretty useful. Well done Truckie.
As they were pretty much empty the endurance would still be pretty useful. Well done Truckie.
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They did have the AMSA crew on board the A330 didn't they? I'm sure they're well equipped to talk to any marine vessels.
Pity AMSA couldn't have used their Dorniers. Their Essendon crew look a little bored sometimes waiting for some action.
Pity AMSA couldn't have used their Dorniers. Their Essendon crew look a little bored sometimes waiting for some action.
AMSA website states they have tasked a Global Express to the yacht's position today to help coordinate the rescue.
AMSA - Recent Events
AMSA - Recent Events
I'm sure if you owned an airline and someone rang you up and offered a 20 odd hour charter I think you would be 'making it work'. There is some good money to be made in SAR
P3 would make it easily...
Sounds like a bit far out for the old P3.
If she's 2000 nm out, I guess that's about six hours there, and the same back. That would leave the P3 with more than six hours loiter over the target. And you could stretch that, by feathering two engines, if you were serious.
I am sure the modern engines and props on the P3C are more efficient than the ones we were flying. It would make it easily: the P3 was a very good aircraft :-)
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The 406 EPIRB would not require a search, it would be a homing exercise, and if, no doubt, it was the latest version or close to, it would have VHF 2 way communication ability as well.
To my way of thinking if all this modern technology was not available, ie GPS, a telephone to talk to Mum and Dad when things turn to custard, ability to yell to be rescued when the smelly stuff hits the fan, then there would not be all this so called record seeking, money making attempts being initiated by PR people.
It used to be that going to sea on long solo journeys required a different mind set than what appears to be the current trend amongst publicity seeking people.
It was said many years ago by one of the most experienced ocean cruisers of the time that the worst thing ever invented as far as cruising yachtspeople were concerned was a transmitting radio. The whole object of the exercise was supposed to be that you are completely self sufficient. The number of yachtspeople who have had mishaps such as dismasting and still made it to a port using their own resources is in the hundreds, and nary a word to the public.
To my way of thinking if all this modern technology was not available, ie GPS, a telephone to talk to Mum and Dad when things turn to custard, ability to yell to be rescued when the smelly stuff hits the fan, then there would not be all this so called record seeking, money making attempts being initiated by PR people.
It used to be that going to sea on long solo journeys required a different mind set than what appears to be the current trend amongst publicity seeking people.
It was said many years ago by one of the most experienced ocean cruisers of the time that the worst thing ever invented as far as cruising yachtspeople were concerned was a transmitting radio. The whole object of the exercise was supposed to be that you are completely self sufficient. The number of yachtspeople who have had mishaps such as dismasting and still made it to a port using their own resources is in the hundreds, and nary a word to the public.
This may shed some light on it ....
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Defence to support Sunderland rescue
The Australian Defence Force has forward deployed two Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Cocos Island to provide support if required to the recovery of the stricken yachtswoman Abby Sunderland whose yacht is adrift midway between Australia and Africa in the Southern Ocean.
If needed, one of the AP-3C Orion will fly to Mauritius to refuel and will then fly south and provide coordinating support for civilian ships that have responded to the yachtswoman’s emergency beacons.
Despite the fact that Abby Sunderland has been found, the Royal Australian Air Force has continued to deploy its AP-3C as a contingency. If required, the aircraft will also be able to drop emergency supplies to the yachtswoman.
This support is being provided at the request of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
Defence to support Sunderland rescue
The Australian Defence Force has forward deployed two Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Cocos Island to provide support if required to the recovery of the stricken yachtswoman Abby Sunderland whose yacht is adrift midway between Australia and Africa in the Southern Ocean.
If needed, one of the AP-3C Orion will fly to Mauritius to refuel and will then fly south and provide coordinating support for civilian ships that have responded to the yachtswoman’s emergency beacons.
Despite the fact that Abby Sunderland has been found, the Royal Australian Air Force has continued to deploy its AP-3C as a contingency. If required, the aircraft will also be able to drop emergency supplies to the yachtswoman.
This support is being provided at the request of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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I would be concerned with the fact QF have a spare A330 lying around to send on search and rescue missions, or was it waiting to go into the paint shop to be put in JQ livery???
Legacy carriers, as opposed to low cost will often have the flexibility within their flying & maintanence schedule to allow additional adhoc flying.
That adhoc may be SAR, as seen here. Charter to their own LCC, or additional services due increased capacity requirements.
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CH 7 Perth News just announced that the French fishing vessel has picked up Miss Sutherland and that she is now 'safe on board', as of 15 minutes ago.
That would make the pick up at 120945Z.
So, I guess that is the end of the 'exercise' as far as aviation is concerned - except for the Airline trip back to USA......and the USA Media.....
An EXCELLENT RESULT!!
That would make the pick up at 120945Z.
So, I guess that is the end of the 'exercise' as far as aviation is concerned - except for the Airline trip back to USA......and the USA Media.....
An EXCELLENT RESULT!!
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It was quite standard for either TAA or Ansett to go on these missions, often when they were onroute, the PAX enjoyed being spotters, and the flight crew enjoyed the flying. Glad about the good result, but if she were my daughter, no way, even if I had to nail one of her feet to the ground!
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Just a quick thought, and I haven't read back, and I haven't checked her exact location...but some assistance from Diego Garcia not an option? 
US citizen..US forces.....I guess I'm asking why am I paying (Taxes) to rescue US citizen whn US interests are so nearby....again assuming they were in vicinity, sure if she was just off the coast at Fremantle...different, though I still think there is something to be said for user pays............
US citizen..US forces.....I guess I'm asking why am I paying (Taxes) to rescue US citizen whn US interests are so nearby....again assuming they were in vicinity, sure if she was just off the coast at Fremantle...different, though I still think there is something to be said for user pays............
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That option was amongst all possibilities explored I believe, but the quickest surface response was going to be from the french fishing vessel that did the pick up. The location was just as far from there as Oz. The kid was in the middle of no where.
SOLAS...
Just a quick thought, and I haven't read back, and I haven't checked her exact location...but some assistance from Diego Garcia not an option? 
US citizen..US forces.....I guess I'm asking why am I paying (Taxes) to rescue US citizen whn US interests are so nearby....again assuming they were in vicinity, sure if she was just off the coast at Fremantle...different, though I still think there is something to be said for user pays............ 
US citizen..US forces.....I guess I'm asking why am I paying (Taxes) to rescue US citizen whn US interests are so nearby....again assuming they were in vicinity, sure if she was just off the coast at Fremantle...different, though I still think there is something to be said for user pays............
If Jess had been less well-prepared and less well-equipped, the Americans would have had to go and get her when she was in their territorial waters.
Abby was inside our territorial waters: by only about 100 km, I believe, but she was on our patch.
We wouldn't want to give the Americans the idea that we run away from our obligations at such a moment, now would we? Otherwise, the next time we get ourselves into a blue, the next President Roosevelt may just decide that his citizens' taxes could be better spent otherwise...
Cheers