Prince William to become a SAR driver

[JimL]

No aircraft requires two pilots to be flown (it is a contradiction in terms); it is the safety of operations that dictates the crew numbers. Regulations are a side effect of the safety case (they reflect the regulator's assessment rather than the operator's).

Jim

[Fly_For_Fun]

Flying 2000 hours in civil aviation will put you in a lot of situations military training won’t get you in!

Unless you have flown in the military not sure how you could make this statement.

In any case to pass the British military pilots course is indeed a great achievement for both of the young royals, and to go on to SAR is fantastic, as is being selected to go onto the WAH64D. Well done both of you.

[skadi]

No aircraft requires two pilots to be flown

Then try to handle a single "COMP FREEZE" on the Seaking as lonesome pilot....
And a double failure would be even worse!

skadi

[Epiphany]

No one claimed they did.

[Epiphany]

That's because when it started most were UK pilots and I would guess that most still are. The thread is about UK military SAR so it is not surprising that is what is being discussed.

This is still the most civilised, informative helicopter forum that I know of for some reason too.

Why are you Colonials so sensitive about Old World superiority anyway?

[Hummingfrog]

Skadi

In my time on the Seaking we used to practise double comp freeze with the engines in manual as a single pilot - testing but no real drama if you followed the SOPs. I believe the Fisheads used to fly the MK4 Commando single pilot - so if they could do it it can't be that difficult

Well done to Flt Lt Wales - Valley is one of the more demanding flights to be on - second only to Lossie of course!!

HF

[skadi]

I believe the Fisheads used to fly the MK4 Commando single pilot - so if they could do it it can't be that difficult

I heard that too, but they fly with crewchiefs in the left seat for just that case?

In my time on the Seaking we used to practise double comp freeze with the engines in manual as a single pilot

Interesting, how did you do that manually without more than two hands??? Just playing with NR?
In our Navy minimum crew were 2 pilots.

skadi

[Hilife]

Britons didn't invent helicopter SAR, y'know.

That would have been our cousins on the other side of the Pond, both hoisting in an R-5 (In Long Island Sound, Connecticut, 1945) and landing (CSAR, Burma, 1944) in a YR-4. The latter was to rescue the pilot and 3 wounded British soldiers, so at least some involvement for us Brit’s in the early days .

[Treg]

CRM?

Interesting take on CRM????

Originally Posted by Thomas coupling

Don't think for one moment, these low time SAR pilots have any say in strategy whilst airborne - just like civvy street. They do as they are told until they get their Captaincy and then they are let loose.

[CYHeli]

I like the bent on it all from the Daily Star,

But high-flying Harry claims his skills as an Apache pilot – the most difficult chopper in the world to fly – will easily outstrip William’s.

The pal added: “He may be second but his training is tougher and his skills are greater. He is in the helicopter equivalent of an F1 racing car while William is running a Transit van.”

And it will all put a dent on his social life...

But his qualification is a blow for girlfriend Kate Middleton, 28, who did not join him at Friday’s passing-out ceremony.

William will have to quit the cottage they have been sharing in Wales and live on the base so he can respond to emergency calls.

Full article here -
Link here

[HeliAviator]

The Daily Star, a quality newspaper, both informative and knowledgable. NOT!

[klaus_a_e]

SAR minimums basically

I appologise guys – you got that wrong: I never said that the RAF isn’t doing it right! Those guys are having a whole lot experience the pilots in the civil word will never get. AND I admire them for their training!
BUT I do have my experience and we also have military guys flying in our civil fleet now so I do think I can make my statement. My point is if you put two pilots in a certain mission in a cockpit (an yes I know you can fly this aircrafts with one pilot – heck you can fly a 747 with one pilot but there is a reason why regs require two guys up front) I would expect those pilots to have certain requirements where for my understanding SAR is on which would require more experience compared to some other missions where they could get some confidence before they jump into a SAR mission.
Thomas coupling I got your point and I agree that it is a great chance to learn but I also agree with Treg: I makes me thing about CRM.

Really, well i think you should look at the minimum requirements for a SAR CHC CG co-pilot

What are the CHC SAR Co requirements?

Take it easy

[Freewheel]

(posted in full recognition of the unlikelihood of it being read by one of those mentioned herein)

Congratulations Wills (and the others on your course) on completing your course.

Commiserations on winding up with crab

[Thomas coupling]

Treg: you've got me on that..bang to rights. I apologise. My inference was that there is of course - dialogue and 'team effort' but the buck stops with the Captain, not the cojo.

Skadi: Like Hummingfrog - many years ago when I flew the Queen of the skies, we did practice flying double manual with one pilot!
We set both throttles to a gentle descent setting on mega long finals and flew it onto the runway.
It's not the end of the world. Single comp failure was a walk in the park by comparison.

[Fly_For_Fun]

Freewheel, only one ended up with the girlie's outfit, the other is in the army.

[skadi]

Skadi: Like Hummingfrog - many years ago when I flew the Queen of the skies, we did practice flying double manual with one pilot!
We set both throttles to a gentle descent setting on mega long finals and flew it onto the runway.
It's not the end of the world. Single comp failure was a walk in the park by comparison.

Thanks, thats what I thought.
But we didnt practice that as single pilot ( even not in the simulator ), but many times with two.

skadi

[Treg]

No problem TC

[Corax]

-not least that former colony across the Atlantic!

You were referring to the US of A right? Pls do not lump Canadians in with "them".

1812-2012 - 200th Anniversary of the British & Canadian defeat of the American agressors.

[Pink Panther]

First job under his belt

Prince William takes part in first flight as search and rescue flight | Mail Online

[Wiretensioner]

oh great. And who were the rest of the crew? No doubt we will have to get 'first night call out', first job in Snowdonia, etc. Give the guy a break.

Wiretensioner