New 'Helicopter Hotline' goes live
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New Helicopter Hotline Goes Live
From the curiously named "A2Gay" online news service...
New Helicopter Hotline Goes Live
A new freephone advisory service for members of the public enquiring about low flying military helicopter activity will go live from tomorrow, Tuesday 1 March, announced Ivor Caplin, Under Secretary of State for Defence.
The number to call is 0800 51 55 44 from 0800 to 1700hrs, Monday to Friday. During British Summer Time the hours will be extended until 2000hrs.
Mr Caplin said he was delighted to introduce this new advice line:
"The Ministry of Defence takes seriously its responsibilities when conducting essential low flying training. This new freephone service demonstrates our commitment to improving communication with the public on this issue."
The service will provide daily advice on planned low flying military helicopter activity in the relevant Low Flying Areas, including confirmation of whether low flying helicopter training is taking place and information on the expected number of helicopters planning to operate.
These forecasts will be valid at the point of issue, but members of the public should be aware that all military helicopter activity may be subject to change at late notice because of altered weather conditions or operational requirements.
This new advisory service has been introduced as part of an MOD review of low flying military helicopter training. It responds to one of the recommendations made by the Louth & Spilsby District Coroner, who held the Inquest into the tragic death of Heather Bell in June 2003.
The freephone advisory service will provide a daily forecast of planned military helicopter low flying activity in the appropriate Low Flying Area.
As part of this it will be able to confirm whether low flying helicopter training is taking place in the relevant area and how many will be using the area.
It will not be able to provide information on helicopter activity around helicopter training schools and main helicopter operating bases, due the consistently high level of activity in these areas, or about fast jet activity.
The advisory service has been initiated as a direct response to a recommendation by the Louth & Spilsby District Coroner.
Whilst he accepted the Defence Imperative for low flying, he recommended improvements be made to the level of information available on low flying military helicopter activity.
The call centre is based at the Low Flying Booking Cell (LFBC), West Drayton, part of the Military Flying & Coordination Squadron that manages the day to day running of the military low flying system.
It is staffed by members of the Royal Air Force, but coordinates military low level flying for all the Services.
The Ministry of Defence takes concerns about risks posed by low flying military helicopter activity seriously.
Low flying is an essential military skill and training is subject to stringent regulations. This skill has been used recently during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Low flying is a perishable skill perfected only through rigorous training and continuous practice in a realistic environment. Our policy is for pilots to undertake the minimum low flying to retain this capability and to use simulators where possible.
The UK Low Flying System currently covers the open airspace of the whole of the UK, and surrounding over-sea areas, from the surface to 2,000 feet above ground or mean sea level.
The MOD is giving serious consideration to other recommendations made by the Coroner and is conducting a review of low flying military training alongside this. It is also keeping the Coroner updated on action taken in response to his letter.
A new freephone advisory service for members of the public enquiring about low flying military helicopter activity will go live from tomorrow, Tuesday 1 March, announced Ivor Caplin, Under Secretary of State for Defence.
The number to call is 0800 51 55 44 from 0800 to 1700hrs, Monday to Friday. During British Summer Time the hours will be extended until 2000hrs.
Mr Caplin said he was delighted to introduce this new advice line:
"The Ministry of Defence takes seriously its responsibilities when conducting essential low flying training. This new freephone service demonstrates our commitment to improving communication with the public on this issue."
The service will provide daily advice on planned low flying military helicopter activity in the relevant Low Flying Areas, including confirmation of whether low flying helicopter training is taking place and information on the expected number of helicopters planning to operate.
These forecasts will be valid at the point of issue, but members of the public should be aware that all military helicopter activity may be subject to change at late notice because of altered weather conditions or operational requirements.
This new advisory service has been introduced as part of an MOD review of low flying military helicopter training. It responds to one of the recommendations made by the Louth & Spilsby District Coroner, who held the Inquest into the tragic death of Heather Bell in June 2003.
The freephone advisory service will provide a daily forecast of planned military helicopter low flying activity in the appropriate Low Flying Area.
As part of this it will be able to confirm whether low flying helicopter training is taking place in the relevant area and how many will be using the area.
It will not be able to provide information on helicopter activity around helicopter training schools and main helicopter operating bases, due the consistently high level of activity in these areas, or about fast jet activity.
The advisory service has been initiated as a direct response to a recommendation by the Louth & Spilsby District Coroner.
Whilst he accepted the Defence Imperative for low flying, he recommended improvements be made to the level of information available on low flying military helicopter activity.
The call centre is based at the Low Flying Booking Cell (LFBC), West Drayton, part of the Military Flying & Coordination Squadron that manages the day to day running of the military low flying system.
It is staffed by members of the Royal Air Force, but coordinates military low level flying for all the Services.
The Ministry of Defence takes concerns about risks posed by low flying military helicopter activity seriously.
Low flying is an essential military skill and training is subject to stringent regulations. This skill has been used recently during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Low flying is a perishable skill perfected only through rigorous training and continuous practice in a realistic environment. Our policy is for pilots to undertake the minimum low flying to retain this capability and to use simulators where possible.
The UK Low Flying System currently covers the open airspace of the whole of the UK, and surrounding over-sea areas, from the surface to 2,000 feet above ground or mean sea level.
The MOD is giving serious consideration to other recommendations made by the Coroner and is conducting a review of low flying military training alongside this. It is also keeping the Coroner updated on action taken in response to his letter.
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Oh thats just wonderful............lets all hope that the caller doesn't speak with a Middle-Eastern accent. There have to be serious security implications of this knee-jerk solution.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Aw Kenny, there's always someone who spoilts a good idea, NIH syndrome.
Seriously, good point. When briefed at the assembled audience of military and civil scribblies last month that was NOT the question on ANYONE's lips.
Seriously, good point. When briefed at the assembled audience of military and civil scribblies last month that was NOT the question on ANYONE's lips.
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It seems perfectly reasonable that the MOD should take all reasonable steps to keep the public informed of LF activity. The information is already there at the LFB Cell, so why not make the public aware of what is booked to fly in which LF areas?
As for the security implications, is our Middle-Eastern accented one more likely to do his hostile deed:
a. Near a helo unit, where sighting an airborne helo is guaranteed
or
b. In the wilds of a low flying area, where a helo booked to fly may or may not fly within range of him?
Get real.
As for the security implications, is our Middle-Eastern accented one more likely to do his hostile deed:
a. Near a helo unit, where sighting an airborne helo is guaranteed
or
b. In the wilds of a low flying area, where a helo booked to fly may or may not fly within range of him?
Get real.
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Scud, Your point is noted. However, instructors tend to use the same route or area to conduct exercises (familiarity with terrain etc). It would not be too difficult for a determined nasty-man to see this pattern and use it to his/her advantage. This is an example of the tail wagging the dog. Do the public really want a totally useless, ineffective poorly trained AirForce, Army or Navy. We all know that it is essential to practice low flying and the available areas are shrinking because of public opinion.
Lets give the Forces aviators a chance to do their jobs in the best, most professional and effective way.
Lets give the Forces aviators a chance to do their jobs in the best, most professional and effective way.
Found a link: http://www.mod.uk/issues/lowflying/heli-helpline.htm
"Due to high levels of activity close to helicopter training schools and main helicopter operating bases, it is not possible to provide a forecast for these Dedicated Helicopter User Areas – Map Areas 1, 3, 9, 10 and 19 [Northern Ireland] "
Nice One,
LXGB
"Due to high levels of activity close to helicopter training schools and main helicopter operating bases, it is not possible to provide a forecast for these Dedicated Helicopter User Areas – Map Areas 1, 3, 9, 10 and 19 [Northern Ireland] "
Nice One,
LXGB
Just how busy can the UK military be with its "vast" fleet of aircraft?
Now if the 101st Airborne Division showed up with a battalion of aircraft......less than one third of its assigned complement....I could see it.
But....it is a small but congested place there kinda like say.....slightly smaller than the state of Oregon in area with the population of California, Texas, and Virginia combined.
Now if the 101st Airborne Division showed up with a battalion of aircraft......less than one third of its assigned complement....I could see it.
But....it is a small but congested place there kinda like say.....slightly smaller than the state of Oregon in area with the population of California, Texas, and Virginia combined.
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KENNYR
Then perhaps instructors should be doing more to vary their training routes, not only for the benefit of those living along such routes, but for CT reasons too.
In a democracy, aren't the public 'the dog' and we 'the tail'? Of course military aircrew should be given every opportunity to develop and maintain their LF skills. I don't see how the helpline affects that. If it helps a riding school, a farmer or anyone else who might be adversely affected by LF, to better plan their activities, how can that be a bad thing?
Then perhaps instructors should be doing more to vary their training routes, not only for the benefit of those living along such routes, but for CT reasons too.
In a democracy, aren't the public 'the dog' and we 'the tail'? Of course military aircrew should be given every opportunity to develop and maintain their LF skills. I don't see how the helpline affects that. If it helps a riding school, a farmer or anyone else who might be adversely affected by LF, to better plan their activities, how can that be a bad thing?
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Scud, Why is it always the Military who have to compromise or suffer? Why cant the horse riders use a different area, keep them out of the LFA? Of course they would be up in arms about that and creating a lot of noise in Parliament. What voice does the Armed Forces have?.......absolutely none. Our Defence minister is as weak as NAAFI tea and will not support the Armed Forces, especially in election year.
I do hear what you say about instructors, shoulda woulda coulda! But the fact does remain that instructors will use areas they are more comfortable in ( I only speak from a rotary point of view......no FJ experience at all).
I do hear what you say about instructors, shoulda woulda coulda! But the fact does remain that instructors will use areas they are more comfortable in ( I only speak from a rotary point of view......no FJ experience at all).
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KennyR - What is the "suffering" involved please in notifying operational areas?
The Armed Forces should have a very strong voice in their senior officers BUT if they are too weak an lilly livered to perform then it is they to whom blame should be apportioned.
NAAFI tea in my day was always quite strong enough with all the bromide etc. have the senior ranks been quite neutered by NAAFI tea by now?
Please remember the whole of the armed forces are there to do the bidding of the people via parliament and for no other reason what so ever.
I am known to have a dislike of low flying but dont perceive helos to be much of a threat to anyone. Availability of routes and times does not seem to be of any real detriment to practice regimes. Anyone care to tell us if i am wrong in this since I do not fly rotary.
The Armed Forces should have a very strong voice in their senior officers BUT if they are too weak an lilly livered to perform then it is they to whom blame should be apportioned.
NAAFI tea in my day was always quite strong enough with all the bromide etc. have the senior ranks been quite neutered by NAAFI tea by now?
Please remember the whole of the armed forces are there to do the bidding of the people via parliament and for no other reason what so ever.
I am known to have a dislike of low flying but dont perceive helos to be much of a threat to anyone. Availability of routes and times does not seem to be of any real detriment to practice regimes. Anyone care to tell us if i am wrong in this since I do not fly rotary.
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Been a bit late seeing the news of this low flying mil heli hotline but find it hard to see it is going to do any more than enable the MOD to say they've done something about the problem.
It's going to take yet more admin time to use and the info is going to be unreliable. So what's the point? More awareness of potential mil activity maybe but little practical benefit I feel.
To what extent do low level mil acft simply report their positions and routes etc to the appropriate London/Scottish Info VHF frequency? I guess being low level often means two way communication could not be achieved, but surely if regular (blind) position reports were made at least other aircraft operating in the vicinity could pick up this info if listening out and reciprocate with position reports if concerned about potential conflict.
This would take no admin time and provide far more accurate info.
It's going to take yet more admin time to use and the info is going to be unreliable. So what's the point? More awareness of potential mil activity maybe but little practical benefit I feel.
To what extent do low level mil acft simply report their positions and routes etc to the appropriate London/Scottish Info VHF frequency? I guess being low level often means two way communication could not be achieved, but surely if regular (blind) position reports were made at least other aircraft operating in the vicinity could pick up this info if listening out and reciprocate with position reports if concerned about potential conflict.
This would take no admin time and provide far more accurate info.
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Given that most helicopter flights are only booked within an hour of take-off, that is a very small window in which to provide a 'forecast' of rotary flights. Exercises are generally publicised anyway as it stands! Cost to Defence? More admin to take away from the sharp end!
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Helo Hotline
Best thing is...
As A Military SAR operator they asked us to predict when and where we would fly!!
Don't have to do that now only have to produce maps with exact turning points and times after the rescue - like I don't have anything better to do.
Fatobs
As A Military SAR operator they asked us to predict when and where we would fly!!
Don't have to do that now only have to produce maps with exact turning points and times after the rescue - like I don't have anything better to do.
Fatobs
Next we will have to book the LFA 24 hrs in advance.
The reason instructors use areas they know is so that they can spend time on instruction and not worry too much about Nav ATC etc.
The reason instructors use areas they know is so that they can spend time on instruction and not worry too much about Nav ATC etc.
Rotorspeed, you have it nailed - this ridiculous service is a sop to the coroners court to show something is being done. Will it prevent another tragic accident like Heather Bell's? No of course not (wearing a riding helmet might though) - it is worse than closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, at least that prevents another horse getting out.
Instead of being robust about the cause of the accident the politicians forced the military to roll over and bring more unneccesary crap into the mil aviators life.
As for the service - let's hope it's better than what we get from the Booking Cell "Mixed traffic, no late warnings".
Feat of Ar*e.
Instead of being robust about the cause of the accident the politicians forced the military to roll over and bring more unneccesary crap into the mil aviators life.
As for the service - let's hope it's better than what we get from the Booking Cell "Mixed traffic, no late warnings".
Feat of Ar*e.
