Where is the Cobham/AMSA SAR Challenger 604???
 

There seems to be no reports coming from AMSA nor media regarding the failed start of the Cobham Challenger 604 in Perth. With the Dornier gone what asset is ready to respond to a major SAR off WA? Has anyone got any information regarding a proposed start or what is happening?

Does this link help? VH-XNC arrives YPPH on Sunday 7th August, ready to start work on the specified contract date, Monday 8th August, 2016.

VH-XNC Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 (MSN 5619) of Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd), at Perth Airport, Sun 7 August 2016.

Read: I got knocked by Cobham. Please respond with your gripes here so that we can hook up later.

You've got that completely wrong. Do you assume that anyone who has a concern over SAR in WA is a disgruntled applicant? Nice effort to shut down an important question.

I believe they will only be using the 604 as a static display....

Execujet...
and currently doing drop training/ line training for full scale 24h search and rescue exercise in September..

I believe there are pilots checked to line and the aircraft is available for SAR, but at the moment the focus is on getting everyone checked to line...
i also expect the RAAF P3's probably cover SAR too..

Shouldn't the "focus" be on finding the missing person off WA?

No reports exactly because there are no reports. One needs to do something to make reports something Cobham and the Challenger hasn't done.

Be interesting to see in a year or so's time just how cost effective the squillions being spent
have been. Then again effective and cost don't register in Pollies minds. As long as it looks good.

Cobham offline
 

Yep, no 604 out for the search off Carnarvon, that says it all.

The search for the missing 40 yo fisherman 60nm west of Shark bay has been called off yesterday.
he was last seen 1am on Mon nite, at 630am he was found to be missing.
Media reported numerous aircraft used in search, types not reported.

Poor fellow did not have a life jacket on as all are accounted for on board apparently. Tragic.

As for what aircraft resources AMSA was able to mobilize if the 604 was grounded in Perth is unknown.

Still no coverage in the West and the Challenger is in Adelaide, go figure....must be to replace that engine cowl.

Actually it did drops most of today down south.

They can drop all they like in training scenarios, when it comes to live dropping though, it ain't happening at the moment. Having said that still no coverage for the west. How long can this last.

Lol so you're saying training is pointless?:/ I'm sure they will do exactly as you said to fine tune themselves and the systems.

****box dornier went offline many times, even right up until the end of Perth base, especially at the beginning of their contract.

Don't be such a hater. Change is good. Cobham have a HUGE backing, and Pearl....well they're outta here!

Positive change is good, But wake up, you call the Dornier a **** box? This challenger aeroplane was supposed to be online weeks ago, and still a month to go,so how does that huge backing work? The five Dorniers were on time with crew and equipment on day 1. Its sad that you propose to accept this deficiency as a norm. Seems like you are hating, whatever, mediocre Australia

Furthermore, if you added up all the unscheduled downtime for 4 Dorniers in the last 12 months you won't get 6 weeks, which is at least the amount of time the first jet will be unavailable, brilliant performance eh.jeez

The AW139s that are on their way will help out a lot too.

Read my post, I didn't say training was pointless and never will, what I was saying has now been covered by FMT, and definately not a hater, what my concern is, is that they have known for nearly 2 years that Perth base was due to commission on the 7th August 2016 and they haven't achieved that, yes Cobham have a huge backing, you would think that with this huge backing they would be able to achieve this, something Pearl did get right!!

Perth base was never commissioned to be mission ready only training. Dorniers still flying the contract elsewhere and available if needed.