Where is the Cobham/AMSA SAR Challenger 604???
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The cairns base is officially closed and it's aircraft is being marketed. Due to the frequency of SARs in FNQ and Torres straits the Brisbane aircraft is on an extended deployment until a jet turns up. Nothing in Perth, but no one cares.
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So when will the Cairns jet be in town & available for tasking?
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When you dont want the real news to get out you promote it with a positive vibe.
Perth now been closed 12 weeks. Cairns 3 weeks, Essendon due to shut in 6 weeks.
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Dashunder hi,
So, if I take the Haynes out passed the CNS outer reef and my trusty boat sinks, are you saying there is no SAR aircraft deliver what I need to survive.
..or is what AerobatS2A suggesting that all is OK, I should not be concerned and I will receive what I need to not perish?
So, if I take the Haynes out passed the CNS outer reef and my trusty boat sinks, are you saying there is no SAR aircraft deliver what I need to survive.
..or is what AerobatS2A suggesting that all is OK, I should not be concerned and I will receive what I need to not perish?
May I suggest that Dashunder is not the best person to answer that question.. I suspect he/she may be a little biased in opinion, light on facts and lacking common sense.
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wasathangi
I shall therefore, for the time being at least, stay within range of Rescue 500...and might I add, an extremely professional, competent and brave bunch of guys (gender neutral meant).
And when Cobham does get to speed I shall reach further than the fling wing rescuers can go
.
I shall therefore, for the time being at least, stay within range of Rescue 500...and might I add, an extremely professional, competent and brave bunch of guys (gender neutral meant).
And when Cobham does get to speed I shall reach further than the fling wing rescuers can go
.
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wasathangi
I shall therefore, for the time being at least, stay within range of Rescue 500...and might I add, an extremely professional, competent and brave bunch of guys (gender neutral meant).
And when Cobham does get to speed I shall reach further than the fling wing rescuers can go.
I shall therefore, for the time being at least, stay within range of Rescue 500...and might I add, an extremely professional, competent and brave bunch of guys (gender neutral meant).
And when Cobham does get to speed I shall reach further than the fling wing rescuers can go
.It is now 4 weeks since the Cairns based Dornier ceased operations, and another great bunch of people are filling the hole in Cairns along with the crew of Rescue 500, whilst awaiting for that other mob get the act together and its not looking likely that the Brisbane crew will be leaving any time soon.
Its starting to become a bit of a farce. Remember Perth closed their doors in August, its now November and I highly suspect that the jet wont be operating out of Perth in an online capacity prior to the new year.
One has to wonder where that leaves Essendon!! Hmm
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And that they are a professional competent bunch of people.
It is now 4 weeks since the Cairns based Dornier ceased operations, and another great bunch of people are filling the hole in Cairns along with the crew of Rescue 500, whilst awaiting for that other mob get the act together and its not looking likely that the Brisbane crew will be leaving any time soon.
Its starting to become a bit of a farce. Remember Perth closed their doors in August, its now November and I highly suspect that the jet wont be operating out of Perth in an online capacity prior to the new year.
One has to wonder where that leaves Essendon!! Hmm
It is now 4 weeks since the Cairns based Dornier ceased operations, and another great bunch of people are filling the hole in Cairns along with the crew of Rescue 500, whilst awaiting for that other mob get the act together and its not looking likely that the Brisbane crew will be leaving any time soon.
Its starting to become a bit of a farce. Remember Perth closed their doors in August, its now November and I highly suspect that the jet wont be operating out of Perth in an online capacity prior to the new year.
One has to wonder where that leaves Essendon!! Hmm
Unprecedented cock up
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The contract was awarded 2 years ago, the first aircraft arrived in country on our around Boxing day last year and nothing is ready.
CASA have only certified the CL604 in experimental category which has restricted them to only a few airports for training purposes of which one isn't Cairns, the Cairns Port Authority wont approve the landing of the Challenger in Cairns whilst in experimental category.
They are severely restricted in what they can drop.
The troops are now starting to get a little frustrated and are starting to speak out.
Its all becoming a farce.
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I'm guessing that missing diver off Townsville during the week was glad there was a asset to provide on scene coordination to help rotary wing assets search and locate him......
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A $640 million government contract to use four Cobham *Aviation-operated Bombardier Challenger jets for search-and-rescue operations around Australia is running more than three months behind schedule as the aircraft struggle to gain the regulatory approvals needed to fly.
The 12-year deal between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Cobham was supposed to begin in August when the first of four custom-fitted Challenger 604s was to begin operating from Perth.
Western Australian has been left without the long-range search-and-rescue aircraft for more than three months after problems gaining Civil Aviation Safety Authority approvals delayed their lift-off.
Sources close to AMSA say regulatory delays plaguing the 604s have been brought on by a raft of problems with the new jet, including the aircraft’s drop door being too small to allow necessary supply items to be dispatched from the plane.
Other critics have pointed to the jet’s requirement to burn off four hours of fuel before landing as a serious problem that undermines its ability to operate as a time-critical search-and-rescue aircraft.
The aircraft has also run into serious issues during testing by Cobham, including two incidents where supplies dropped from the plane struck its fuselage and tail.
AMSA said it was aware of the two incidents, which were reported to CASA as required.
“The trials informed incremental changes in design of the delivery system and drop procedures. Cobham has advised AMSA that CASA has now *approved the system, inclusive of aircraft modifications and crew procedures, for delivery of the full range of stores,” an AMSA spokesman said.
AMSA confirmed that the regulatory approvals were holding back the launch of the aircraft but could not provide a firm date when the jets could fly.
“Cobham has experienced a number of delays in modification, integration and certification of the aircraft,” the spokesman said.
“Until the aircraft is certified and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to deliver the full range of search and rescue services, AMSA will not accept the service.”
AMSA said the first Cobham aircraft was booked to undertake proving flights for its CASA Air Operator’s Certificate in coming weeks, after which it would be able to enter service.
“Safety of the operation is paramount and when the rigorous process being followed by CASA is complete, AMSA will have the necessary assurances that this will be a safe operation which will *deliver all the capabilities required,” the AMSA spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Cobham said the company was “fully focused” on delivering the aircraft to AMSA and that it continued to work closely with CASA to pass its regulatory hurdles.
The Cobham aircraft were set to progressively replace a fleet of AeroRescue Dornier aircraft based in Perth, Cairns and *Essendon.
While two of the Dorniers — one based in Cairns and one in Melbourne — are still in operation under the AeroRescue contract, they are about six hours away from Perth should an emergency unfold there.
AMSA said it did not rely on any single asset to deliver search-and-rescue services and there were sufficient alternative assets available for West Australian search-and-rescue services during the transition period.
AMSA said it also held contracts with a number of commercial aircraft operators who would provide response aircraft when *required.
The 12-year deal between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Cobham was supposed to begin in August when the first of four custom-fitted Challenger 604s was to begin operating from Perth.
Western Australian has been left without the long-range search-and-rescue aircraft for more than three months after problems gaining Civil Aviation Safety Authority approvals delayed their lift-off.
Sources close to AMSA say regulatory delays plaguing the 604s have been brought on by a raft of problems with the new jet, including the aircraft’s drop door being too small to allow necessary supply items to be dispatched from the plane.
Other critics have pointed to the jet’s requirement to burn off four hours of fuel before landing as a serious problem that undermines its ability to operate as a time-critical search-and-rescue aircraft.
The aircraft has also run into serious issues during testing by Cobham, including two incidents where supplies dropped from the plane struck its fuselage and tail.
AMSA said it was aware of the two incidents, which were reported to CASA as required.
“The trials informed incremental changes in design of the delivery system and drop procedures. Cobham has advised AMSA that CASA has now *approved the system, inclusive of aircraft modifications and crew procedures, for delivery of the full range of stores,” an AMSA spokesman said.
AMSA confirmed that the regulatory approvals were holding back the launch of the aircraft but could not provide a firm date when the jets could fly.
“Cobham has experienced a number of delays in modification, integration and certification of the aircraft,” the spokesman said.
“Until the aircraft is certified and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to deliver the full range of search and rescue services, AMSA will not accept the service.”
AMSA said the first Cobham aircraft was booked to undertake proving flights for its CASA Air Operator’s Certificate in coming weeks, after which it would be able to enter service.
“Safety of the operation is paramount and when the rigorous process being followed by CASA is complete, AMSA will have the necessary assurances that this will be a safe operation which will *deliver all the capabilities required,” the AMSA spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Cobham said the company was “fully focused” on delivering the aircraft to AMSA and that it continued to work closely with CASA to pass its regulatory hurdles.
The Cobham aircraft were set to progressively replace a fleet of AeroRescue Dornier aircraft based in Perth, Cairns and *Essendon.
While two of the Dorniers — one based in Cairns and one in Melbourne — are still in operation under the AeroRescue contract, they are about six hours away from Perth should an emergency unfold there.
AMSA said it did not rely on any single asset to deliver search-and-rescue services and there were sufficient alternative assets available for West Australian search-and-rescue services during the transition period.
AMSA said it also held contracts with a number of commercial aircraft operators who would provide response aircraft when *required.
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But then again probably not that embarrassing when you consider they are now 3 months behind in Perth.
