New planes for WA Police
 

Missed the story on the news tonight, did anyone see/hear that the WA Police were getting two news planes? If so what sort and who will drive them?

No media statement has been issued by the WA Gov ref WA Police Air Wing

2 x XXXX, and they will.

Edited because I don't want to get my source into trouble.

:ok: CH9 had a short article late last week announcing the purchase of 2 x Pilatus PC12s. Some footage of the NT Police aircraft shown. Assume that they will be crewed by existing Air Wing pilots?? Good to see them get some decent equipment at last.

Oodnadatta.:cool:

Spot on Oodnadatta.:ok:
And yes, they will be crewed by current Air Support Unit pilots.
Dawny has a big smile on his dial these days.

And to think it all started dropping meatbombs out of a crappy 182. :)

Goforit Dawny! :ok:

probably not PC12s as they have had a lot of maintence problems so I have heard. not suited to the bush.

my oh my, some people are wonderfully miss informed. Biggest load of crap I have heard in a long while bjm

PLease enlighten us why the PC-12, of which there are about a dozen plying the skies of outback Australia day and night into all manner of ALAs and the odd road, is "not suited for the bush?"

Onya Dawnie...you'll love em. :ok: They're a top steed.:8

well said CS.

If they were THAT unsuited to the bush, I hardly think that the RFDS and NT Police would have them in their stables .. and if it were, that they were that bad, NT POL wouldn't be getting a second one!!

Can't get much more bush than you do up there or the GAFA in WA.

Some people in this forum are misguided BJM where do you get that useless information from, do your research before making stupid statements

Just for info
RFDS operate 18 PC12's ( Central Section - 10, WA - 5, QLD - 3)
NT Police -2
At least 3 privately owned

Very interesting that people who have never operated a PC12 seem to have the most to say about them

PC12's no good in the bush hey...........

Whats ARE some of these people smoking :p

Sure there were some flap drive probs in the early ones but thats long resolved and RFDS & NTPOLAIR don't have a problem with em.

Gidday DD long time no see, still flogging round the QLD outback :ok: Your SO right peole that have never driven a '12 always seem to know the most about em, why is that.... LOL :uhoh:

Now there's a blast from the past.... :eek:

The flap issue does still raise its head but rarely. Did not realise that there were nearly 2 dozen in the country. Good to see. :ok:

Stallie...I recall one of your former colleagues referring to the PC12 as a "Volvo Stationwagon", however, in all fairness he was comparing it with the B200.:E

Skypig
Welcome back

I might be heading off on a slight tangent here boys, but while we've got all the "12 experts" here together...................

I was told recently (by an ex-RFDS '12 endorsed expert) that provides for a pretty rugged ride in turbulence and is enough of a handful in IMC such that it is rarely hand flown unless it can't be helped. It was mentioned that this was due to its wing loading!

This seems to be in stark contrast to the posts in this thread.

What are the thought of posters here? Can anyone verify/confirm these comments? What is it like to fly?


Thanks in advance lads :ok:

Its vices....

In severe turbulence, the a/p seems to disconnect earlier than a B200 for similar bumps, but it still holds on OK. It might also move around a bit more in the bumps due possibly due to its single engine central thrust point or more likely the fact that it's up to 1.5 tonne lighter than its aeromed competitor so its pretty hard to draw effective comparison.

Yes, she's heavy on the aileron, (out of interest is the PC6 or PC9?) and x-wind landings over 10 knots are best served by limiting the amount of flap.

However, there is nothing in the above that is bad nor a huge issue. Lots of people with lots of unfounded prejudice like to spread rumours.

The PC12 is a great machine, perfectly suited to a vast array of work, bush inlcuded! It requires quite a change in mindset to fly well...even coming from an EFIS B200 background. You can still fly a B200 like a B58. You can't fly a PC12 like a C210.

And finally no plane is perfect (except maybe a Shrike).

Hey ya TQ and Stallie, how goes it guys.
Hey Dawny, you owe me a can of bourbon for talking you into getting that comm and trying out for the airwing. :ok:
Hope you enjoy driving the PC as much as I enjoyed driving it. :}

G'day Wiz.

Forget the Bourbon, bring on the Cubans!:ok:

Gotta agree with ya there mate!:ok: and a nice mellow aged port to enjoy them with. :ok: