Agusta A109
Join Date: Nov 2004
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SASless.
"Jug ears" had better not get too excited, as "Aunty Liz" tends to use her own Civvy operated 76 for helicopter jobs rather than rough it with the RAF. She uses 32 Sqn for the fixed wing stuff though (or BA).
"Jug ears" had better not get too excited, as "Aunty Liz" tends to use her own Civvy operated 76 for helicopter jobs rather than rough it with the RAF. She uses 32 Sqn for the fixed wing stuff though (or BA).
Join Date: Mar 2000
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"Aunty Liz" tends to use her own Civvy operated 76 for helicopter jobs rather than rough it with the RAF."
Only when she can't avoid using a helicopter altogether.
Her Maj isn't the best ambassador for our part of the industry.
Only when she can't avoid using a helicopter altogether.
Her Maj isn't the best ambassador for our part of the industry.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Apa, apo ndi kulikonse!
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Originally Posted by St. Venant
Any Ppruners seen these aircraft in operation around the country yet?
Join Date: Feb 2001
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aeromys - no, these are squeaky clean new aircraft off the production line in the last few weeks.
The two ex-Argy ones are the earlier pair of the four Army ones based in Hereford only - even their second pair were bought new from Italy. Mind you, they have a shelf-life with four NH90s en route (date?)
The two ex-Argy ones are the earlier pair of the four Army ones based in Hereford only - even their second pair were bought new from Italy. Mind you, they have a shelf-life with four NH90s en route (date?)
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Aeromys
How did Eurocopter lose that one?
A contract had been agreed with a uk operator to provide three AS355N to replace the AS355F1. However once awarded the contract the operator withdrew.
How did Eurocopter lose that one?
A contract had been agreed with a uk operator to provide three AS355N to replace the AS355F1. However once awarded the contract the operator withdrew.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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thanks PP, I didn't realise there were four of those ninja 109's running around now 
Wonder why EC let that one go? Apologies If I missed an earler thread, I guess this was all decided a good year ago.
Wonder why EC let that one go? Apologies If I missed an earler thread, I guess this was all decided a good year ago.
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Originally Posted by ppheli
Mind you, they have a shelf-life with four NH90s en route (date?)
I/C
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aeromys - yes, they were so impressed by the 109As they got from the Falklands event that it was only a handful of years after that they purchased two 109A Mik.IIs with "hot and high" features including extra oil coolers I recall. At least one of the latter saw active service in a pinkish sand colour scheme in the early 90s 
All four now masquerade in pseudo-civil schemes, with their mililary serials painted in unexpected places on the airframe (eg. the nose) in a colour very similar to the background it's painted on to make them difficult to identify. Here are some examples
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/621225/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/865454/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/609853/L/
I/C - thanks for the note on replacements.
All four now masquerade in pseudo-civil schemes, with their mililary serials painted in unexpected places on the airframe (eg. the nose) in a colour very similar to the background it's painted on to make them difficult to identify. Here are some examples
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/621225/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/865454/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/609853/L/
I/C - thanks for the note on replacements.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: USA
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How are these aircraft employed?
Help out one of your American cousins. How are these aircraft used? Assigned to and flown by the RAF, but owned & maintained by a civilian contractor? Are they mainly for peace time missions; VIP, PAX movement, light cargo? I can see the economic sense in the concept if the aircraft are primarily employed in country, but if deployed during a military action, it seems the implementation not to mention the cost would be impracticle. I've had to deal with the whole contractor on the battlefield business during my time here in the sandbox, and it can be frustrating and problematic.
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bayou06. I believe your conclusions are correct. There has never been a wartime situation where the COMR (Contractor Owned Military Registered) scheme has been tested on the VIP flight - 32 (The Royal) Squadron - so unable to comment on that although I can see it fraught with the difficulties you cite.
The four special forces 109s are not operated under COMR
The four special forces 109s are not operated under COMR
Avoid imitations
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FNW- which S-76 is that? 
The one used by the RTO has a civvy reg.
The one used by the RTO has a civvy reg.