No Santa wavexs on Christmas Day
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No Santa wavexs on Christmas Day
Anyone living near a SAR flt will be used to seeing the duty crew fly around the local area on Christmas Day with a cheery santa in the door waving at the kids. At Chivenor we usually pay a flying visit to a children's hospice nearby and most other flights will have similar places that get a santa wavex every year.
It can't happen today though because of MOD jobsworths who have seen fit to instigate the following limitations (reprinted verbatim from the signal):
In previous years, SAR flights have had proper exemptions and, since helicopters are not deemed to be low flying until below 500ft agl, even closure of the UKLFS still allowed us to do a limited wavex (overshoot from approach to land etc).
This year the added paragraph about helicopters below 2000ft and the no overland SAR training during the holiday periods means that a wavex is just not feasible. especially with a cloudbase today of less than 2000' agl.
Thanks MOD - I am sure the kids at the hospice wish you a very Merry Christmas
It can't happen today though because of MOD jobsworths who have seen fit to instigate the following limitations (reprinted verbatim from the signal):
The UKLFS will close at 231700Z Dec 08 and reopen at 050700Z Jan 09.
With the exception of SAR aircraft, no military aircraft are to use the system for non-operational flights during the period stated above without prior approval from MOD DAS (LA).
SAR training is permitted: however, overland low flying outside MATZ is to be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain currency. No overland SAR training is permitted during the public holiday periods below.
From 242359Z to 270700Z Dec 08 and 312359Z Dec 08 to 020700Z Jan 09.
This is a total closure of the UKLFS (GL- 2000ft agl). This closure also applies to all helicopters (excluding the stated SAR exemptions), operating below 2000ft agl.
With the exception of SAR aircraft, no military aircraft are to use the system for non-operational flights during the period stated above without prior approval from MOD DAS (LA).
SAR training is permitted: however, overland low flying outside MATZ is to be limited to the minimum necessary to maintain currency. No overland SAR training is permitted during the public holiday periods below.
From 242359Z to 270700Z Dec 08 and 312359Z Dec 08 to 020700Z Jan 09.
This is a total closure of the UKLFS (GL- 2000ft agl). This closure also applies to all helicopters (excluding the stated SAR exemptions), operating below 2000ft agl.
This year the added paragraph about helicopters below 2000ft and the no overland SAR training during the holiday periods means that a wavex is just not feasible. especially with a cloudbase today of less than 2000' agl.
Thanks MOD - I am sure the kids at the hospice wish you a very Merry Christmas
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Just how much did the MoD spend on "hospitality" last year? Rather more than this ban has saved, I'll bet. Bl**dy miserable f
ers.
Have a safe New Year, all you SAR bods.
ers.Have a safe New Year, all you SAR bods.
Last edited by exscribbler; 25th Dec 2008 at 13:25. Reason: More bad language!
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Just who the hell writes this nonsense? Air or MoD Centre? I mean, once upon a time you could get away with "what they don't know won't hurt 'em" but that extra paragraph looks like a catch-all.
BTW, yesterday's Telegraph said the MoD had spent a few thousand on Christmas decorations...
Miserable so and so's.
BTW, yesterday's Telegraph said the MoD had spent a few thousand on Christmas decorations...
Miserable so and so's.
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Unbelievable.........some desk jockey just cannot see the wood for the trees.
I sincerely hope all the boys and girls on 'alert' (either yellows, red n greys, GCAS, Medevac or pointy greys) have a quiet day.
Does anybody know if the 1435 Flt boys managed to put a 4 ship up today?? Remember being told that last year they were banned, depite the fact that it had occurred every year previous since the conflict. The idiot responsible couldn't even cite 'cost saving' as the justification.
I sincerely hope all the boys and girls on 'alert' (either yellows, red n greys, GCAS, Medevac or pointy greys) have a quiet day.
Does anybody know if the 1435 Flt boys managed to put a 4 ship up today?? Remember being told that last year they were banned, depite the fact that it had occurred every year previous since the conflict. The idiot responsible couldn't even cite 'cost saving' as the justification.
Before we jump into the usual run of "evil MOD what the **** do they know", could someone tell me who is responsible for issuing these notices in the first place?
There is usually a sound reason behind the decision, and its not down to some jobsworth civil servant wanting to make life more miserable for the troops.
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.
There is usually a sound reason behind the decision, and its not down to some jobsworth civil servant wanting to make life more miserable for the troops.
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.
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I have good memories of chasing the Wessex around the mound between MQs at Chivenor during Christmas Day to get the sweets thrown out by Santa.
I suppose the H&S mob would have a fit if they saw that the SAR crews used to hover over the football pitch at Southmead school and lower Santa, kids one side and houses on the other.
But that was back in the early 80's.
Merry Christmas
Neil
I suppose the H&S mob would have a fit if they saw that the SAR crews used to hover over the football pitch at Southmead school and lower Santa, kids one side and houses on the other.
But that was back in the early 80's.
Merry Christmas
Neil
Simply leave the aircraft so dirty on the outside that whingers on the ground can't tell its yellow, so they won't know who to complain about...
May not work on the shiny new 3A but it would probably work a treat on a Mk 3
...like the Mk 3 which apparently took 5 engine starts to get off the ground from a field location after Christmas lunch at a RAFA place. Allegedly the crew eventually started No 2 first, after which the No 1 decided to come onboard rather than get left behind...though all of this was hearsay and I couldn't possibly comment further...
May not work on the shiny new 3A but it would probably work a treat on a Mk 3
...like the Mk 3 which apparently took 5 engine starts to get off the ground from a field location after Christmas lunch at a RAFA place. Allegedly the crew eventually started No 2 first, after which the No 1 decided to come onboard rather than get left behind...though all of this was hearsay and I couldn't possibly comment further...
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1435 Flt managed 3 F3's, also 1 VC10, 1C130, 1SAR seaking, 1 Lynx all flew over MPA and Stanley today in formation(Seaking and Lynx in the hover at each location). lots of photos taken. Not one low flying complaint, in fact the cruise ship parked in the harbour had all its passengers waving.
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Bertie - several phone calls were made to the individual who issued this signal and, whilst he was willing to verbally sanction low flying for wavexs, he would not put it in writing.
This left everyone with a dilemma - we know from bitter experience that the guy who says it will be OK on the phone will be the same guy who is calling for public execution of the crew when a horse rider is de-horsed by a yellow Sea King.
As ever, the level of support from the 'top/rear echelons' to the front line is purely theoretical and depends on who has a career that might be damaged.
I do remember leardership being taught at Cranwell - I just don't get to see too much in the modern RAF and it starts at the top.
This left everyone with a dilemma - we know from bitter experience that the guy who says it will be OK on the phone will be the same guy who is calling for public execution of the crew when a horse rider is de-horsed by a yellow Sea King.
As ever, the level of support from the 'top/rear echelons' to the front line is purely theoretical and depends on who has a career that might be damaged.
I do remember leardership being taught at Cranwell - I just don't get to see too much in the modern RAF and it starts at the top.
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Where in that signal does it state that you cannot low fly with Santa dressed up and waving at the kids? It doesn't - unless you count Santa waving as
. If you can justify that Santa waving is not SAR training then crack on.
SAR training