No Santa wavexs on Christmas Day
Someone PM me with the guy's Job Spec/title from the signal...we can then inundate the sad muppet with signals asking him to clarify his intent, and the equally sad tonk who told him to write it. Seniors in MOD...you obviously have too much time on your hands if you have to worry about stuff like this...you bunch of time-wasting tosspots. Bah Humbug..makes oye maaad!
What do you expect in a country which is slowly descending into a place where those in charge want to control every aspect of the "peoples' " lives. Who want to know what you are doing , where and when from birth to death.
I well remember, on Xmas eve in the early 80s, the greenies festooning the doorway of Walter with 24v fairy lights and we would get airborne as it got dark, on a training navex, which happened to take in Braunton, Croyde and the MQ patch at Chivenor. For some reason there was also a guy dressed in a red suit sitting in the door way.
Children would be waving as we took a close look at suspect survivors on the edge of the housing estates!
The letters of thanks we got from parents probably proved we did more good for RAF/Local relations then any other form of PR.
HF
I well remember, on Xmas eve in the early 80s, the greenies festooning the doorway of Walter with 24v fairy lights and we would get airborne as it got dark, on a training navex, which happened to take in Braunton, Croyde and the MQ patch at Chivenor. For some reason there was also a guy dressed in a red suit sitting in the door way.
Children would be waving as we took a close look at suspect survivors on the edge of the housing estates!
The letters of thanks we got from parents probably proved we did more good for RAF/Local relations then any other form of PR.
HF
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Just a thought, jimlad1:
Why are you connecting these two:
&
Merry Christmas to all!
Why are you connecting these two:
I'm happy to place a substantial bet that the decision was taken, approved and authorised within a wholly military chain of command,
and that there is probably a good reason for it.
Merry Christmas to all!
Chrimbo 91 Staish flew F4 low level over the Islands then the C130 did the same with 'Merry Xmas' in dayglo tape under the fuse, but also had a large inflatable santa in the astro dome. It got recalled for a comp, but it still flew santa to Chile and back !
Just hoped the comp got back in time.
Just hoped the comp got back in time.
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"Bloggs, I understand from the records that you were flying on a training sortie on Christmas Day, outside the MATZ...explain yourself."
"Currency, Sir."
"That was the answer I was expecting."
"Thank you, Sir."
"I should mention that the local childrens hospital has written to say that they were very happy to see you and Santa. Looks like a successful day for everyone. Carry on."
It can't be difficult.
"Currency, Sir."
"That was the answer I was expecting."
"Thank you, Sir."
"I should mention that the local childrens hospital has written to say that they were very happy to see you and Santa. Looks like a successful day for everyone. Carry on."
It can't be difficult.
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, on Christmas Day, there was no way to do a wavex legally unless you were operating inside a MATZ. We don't have one of those and our 2nm ATZ doesn't reach far enough.
If Santa wavexs were done then it was at the Captain's discretion who then opens himself up to a whole world of hurt if someone does complain.
The Wg Cdr who wrote the signal clearly wasn't prepared to shoulder the responsibility himself since a simple paragraph or amendment to our exemptions would have done the trick.
It's too late to moan now I suppose but maybe next year someone's conscience will be pricked - either that or the ghosts of Christmas past present and future will need to visit MoD
Edsett - sadly it's more likely to be:
"Bloggs, a horserider was hurt when your low flying aircraft spooked her horse on Christmas Day - why were you low flying when there is a signal expessly forbidding it"
"Errrr - I was spreading cheer to the local kids and giving the RAF some badly needed positive PR Sir."
"Bloggs - you're sacked and take a 6 month OOA in the Stan before you go."
"But Sir I was only trying to do the right thing."
"We don't do what we think is the right thing to do in the RAF Bloggs - we do exactly what Air Rank Officers think is the right thing to do - they know best after all."
If Santa wavexs were done then it was at the Captain's discretion who then opens himself up to a whole world of hurt if someone does complain.
The Wg Cdr who wrote the signal clearly wasn't prepared to shoulder the responsibility himself since a simple paragraph or amendment to our exemptions would have done the trick.
It's too late to moan now I suppose but maybe next year someone's conscience will be pricked - either that or the ghosts of Christmas past present and future will need to visit MoD
Edsett - sadly it's more likely to be:
"Bloggs, a horserider was hurt when your low flying aircraft spooked her horse on Christmas Day - why were you low flying when there is a signal expessly forbidding it"
"Errrr - I was spreading cheer to the local kids and giving the RAF some badly needed positive PR Sir."
"Bloggs - you're sacked and take a 6 month OOA in the Stan before you go."
"But Sir I was only trying to do the right thing."
"We don't do what we think is the right thing to do in the RAF Bloggs - we do exactly what Air Rank Officers think is the right thing to do - they know best after all."
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And N Devon wouldn't be N Devon without some NIMBY sat, hovering over their keyboard on Christmas Day, just waiting to e-mail the RAF/BBC/Daily Mail/Radio Devon about low flying helicopters spoiling their peace and quiet/russel brand even though they didn't listen to the programme/'kids today'/wind farms. It's what they live for.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, Crab's example of the post-complaint interview is more believable than Edsett's.
One option would be to ath for PFLs, thereby allowing oneself to descend from one's 2000' navex to overshoot by 100' agl.
Or claim to be forced down by weather, although this does demand a few props such as clouds.
Good luck to all those trying to work around the NY LF ban, which is just as restrictive as the Christmas one!
One option would be to ath for PFLs, thereby allowing oneself to descend from one's 2000' navex to overshoot by 100' agl.
Or claim to be forced down by weather, although this does demand a few props such as clouds.
Good luck to all those trying to work around the NY LF ban, which is just as restrictive as the Christmas one!
Christmas Day Santa Flight
First I must state that I dislike Christmas intensely and everything to do with it. ~thats why I always volunteer for duty or for an OOA - a married bloke with kids gets Christmas at home and I`ll get my time off later is my reasoning - and I feel it works fine for me (this is written from MPA as I speak).
I was on shift on Xmas day at Chivenor one day. I dressed as Santa and we flew myself and two sacks of pressies into the North Devon kiddies Hospice. When I saw all those kids I immediately found a huge lump in my throat. Those kids believed I was Santa - so Santa I was. I walked out of there with more pressies than I had taken in - cigars, bottles of booze, tins of biscuits and chocolates.
I was then winched down in front of Saunton Sands Hotel and waved to all the blue rinse brigade and was given 4 bottles of champers to put into my sack. We then flew around the villages and waved.
On Boxing Day my Father reminded me of the three stages of Father Christmas:
1. You believe in Father Christmas
2. You don`t believe in Father Christmas
3. You ARE Father Christmas
Despite my humbug about everything Christmas - landing at the Kiddies Hospice was actually very special and humbling and a huge personal privaledge. The amount of magic it must have generated for those kids was clearly evident.
To read how this was probably stopped this year (for whatever reason) is very sad indeed. A sad loss of PR for SAR and a huge loss for the kids of that hospice. Sigh .......
I was on shift on Xmas day at Chivenor one day. I dressed as Santa and we flew myself and two sacks of pressies into the North Devon kiddies Hospice. When I saw all those kids I immediately found a huge lump in my throat. Those kids believed I was Santa - so Santa I was. I walked out of there with more pressies than I had taken in - cigars, bottles of booze, tins of biscuits and chocolates.
I was then winched down in front of Saunton Sands Hotel and waved to all the blue rinse brigade and was given 4 bottles of champers to put into my sack. We then flew around the villages and waved.
On Boxing Day my Father reminded me of the three stages of Father Christmas:
1. You believe in Father Christmas
2. You don`t believe in Father Christmas
3. You ARE Father Christmas
Despite my humbug about everything Christmas - landing at the Kiddies Hospice was actually very special and humbling and a huge personal privaledge. The amount of magic it must have generated for those kids was clearly evident.
To read how this was probably stopped this year (for whatever reason) is very sad indeed. A sad loss of PR for SAR and a huge loss for the kids of that hospice. Sigh .......
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Here is a chance for the Press to prove they can be useful. Lets hope a few Journos see this and ask some searching questions of our higher management. I wonder what spin they will put on it to hide their embarrassment, saving fuel, airframe hours, noise pollution? Don't accept any of these poor excuses!
Maybe there was a good reason, but then again having seen so many poor decisions inflicted from above I doubt it. AFAIK the SAR peeps have a training flight each shift, so there was no issue of tax payers money being wasted or increased risk to the public. An excellent use of resources to provide great PR and more importantly make lots of kiddies Christmas extra special, all of which has now been stopped
This is the sort of thing that should be encouraged not banned!
PR/RAF = Piss up/Brewery
Maybe there was a good reason, but then again having seen so many poor decisions inflicted from above I doubt it. AFAIK the SAR peeps have a training flight each shift, so there was no issue of tax payers money being wasted or increased risk to the public. An excellent use of resources to provide great PR and more importantly make lots of kiddies Christmas extra special, all of which has now been stopped
This is the sort of thing that should be encouraged not banned!
PR/RAF = Piss up/Brewery
The good days at RNAS Culdrose with the venerable Wessex V from 771 NAS did the day time SAR cover. At the end of the Xmas day SAR Test the pilot said he would do a low fly-by of the tower. As the helicopter drew level to the tower the Duty ATCO saw two big hairy crewmen's bare pink ar*es hanging out the cargo door at the same time as the Captain, his fragrant wife and charming children appeared in the tower to wish all those working on Xmas day a 'Happy Christmas'.... priceless!
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FFS! Surely this goes firmly into the 'what harm can it do?' box. Those wringing their hands about potential complaints shold grow a pair and find something useful to do.
Dominoe, You sound like me until about three years ago. Having a sprog has meant I've re-discovered Christmas and of course I get the whisky and mince pie he leaves out for Santa!
Dominoe, You sound like me until about three years ago. Having a sprog has meant I've re-discovered Christmas and of course I get the whisky and mince pie he leaves out for Santa!
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I wonder what would happen if a certain Flt Lt SAR co-pilot at a certain Welsh SAR unit who has volunteered (I understand) to work over a certain forthcoming festive season has a word in the ear of a certain Granny?
Santa Wavex by Royal Appointment per chance?
Santa Wavex by Royal Appointment per chance?
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I just realised that this was originally 2008. There is probably even less chance this year. Some scrooge somewhere will be saying "how much does that cost and who is paying?". Especially with all the public sector cuts.
We will be on duty with our shiney yellow EC135 at Blackpool (not quite a SK), us and security and errrr no-one. The good news is that we will be home for tea. Best wishes to those on duty this holiday, fly safe.
We will be on duty with our shiney yellow EC135 at Blackpool (not quite a SK), us and security and errrr no-one. The good news is that we will be home for tea. Best wishes to those on duty this holiday, fly safe.
Gentleman Aviator
Certainly used to be MoD Centre who issued such edicts - in the distant past I was that man. But I hasten to add I would never have recommended or issued such a ban, nor did I for the 3 Christmasses for which I was the man ......
In short I agree with Leopold Bloom's post No 2. Got a few 25 Decs in the log books meself. Allus nice to fly if you've got to be at work.....
In short I agree with Leopold Bloom's post No 2. Got a few 25 Decs in the log books meself. Allus nice to fly if you've got to be at work.....
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There's an easy way around it - the aircraft needs an airtest, simple.
Reports of such and such a snag, requiring an air test to confirm/deny symptoms etc. etc. I am sure the boys and girls of our SAR fleets will have it all sorted and get round it. No problem.
As for the prat who wrote the signal - get a life man for goodness sake.
The SAR fleets belong to this country and I have no problem at all with them flying around, on a lo lvl navex or whatever on any day of the year, waving the flag for all to see, that those that might be needed at the drop of a hat, are there ready and waiting.
Fly safe everyone, and Merry christmas to all those who will be watching over us all throughout the holiday period, and who watch over us every other period come that! Thank you and Best Wishes.
Reports of such and such a snag, requiring an air test to confirm/deny symptoms etc. etc. I am sure the boys and girls of our SAR fleets will have it all sorted and get round it. No problem.
As for the prat who wrote the signal - get a life man for goodness sake.
The SAR fleets belong to this country and I have no problem at all with them flying around, on a lo lvl navex or whatever on any day of the year, waving the flag for all to see, that those that might be needed at the drop of a hat, are there ready and waiting.
Fly safe everyone, and Merry christmas to all those who will be watching over us all throughout the holiday period, and who watch over us every other period come that! Thank you and Best Wishes.
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It's been a while since I wrote a signal, but I'll have a go.
FM HQ XYZ
TO ALL FLYING UNITS
IMMEDIATE
1. THIS SIGNAL COUNTERMANDS THIS HQ'S (INSERT SIGNAL REFERENCE).
2. AUTHORITY IS HEREBY GRANTED FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS OPS AND EXERCISES DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD. LOCAL COMMANDERS ARE TO USE THEIR DISCRETION TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
3. FOR CLARIFICATION, THIS ORDER IS BY COMMAND OF AOC THIS HQ. ANY QUESTIONS TO BE DIRECTED ACCORDINGLY.
4. FOR ADMIN WING THIS HQ. DELETE DUTY OFFICER 25 DEC, INSERT ORIGINAL SIGNAL AUTHOR.
If only...
FM HQ XYZ
TO ALL FLYING UNITS
IMMEDIATE
1. THIS SIGNAL COUNTERMANDS THIS HQ'S (INSERT SIGNAL REFERENCE).
2. AUTHORITY IS HEREBY GRANTED FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS OPS AND EXERCISES DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD. LOCAL COMMANDERS ARE TO USE THEIR DISCRETION TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
3. FOR CLARIFICATION, THIS ORDER IS BY COMMAND OF AOC THIS HQ. ANY QUESTIONS TO BE DIRECTED ACCORDINGLY.
4. FOR ADMIN WING THIS HQ. DELETE DUTY OFFICER 25 DEC, INSERT ORIGINAL SIGNAL AUTHOR.
If only...