Rescue choppers in the UK
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Up North
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Crab
As one who comes across as a font of knowledge on all things SAR,I feel disappointed that you appear to have forgotten that the UK based SAR S-92s do not operate in that part of the UK.
However if we were (and after conferring with our airframe drivers) I have been assured Swansea to Dumfries would be no bother. In fact we could be halfway back by the time a Sea King got there. The only downside for us is that due to a lack of a hot water boiler, teas and coffee would not be served.
Wiretensioner
As one who comes across as a font of knowledge on all things SAR,I feel disappointed that you appear to have forgotten that the UK based SAR S-92s do not operate in that part of the UK.
However if we were (and after conferring with our airframe drivers) I have been assured Swansea to Dumfries would be no bother. In fact we could be halfway back by the time a Sea King got there. The only downside for us is that due to a lack of a hot water boiler, teas and coffee would not be served.
Wiretensioner
Wiretensioner - as someone who started the banter about having the right helicopter for the job you seem to have a problem with accepting return banter - those smilie icon things are supposed to denote lighthearted comments - do you really think I don't know where you operate and what your capabilities are?????
J for joke, S for small one, B for Badly taken
J for joke, S for small one, B for Badly taken
So what is the problem WT? Is it lack of tie-down points in the cabin, strops not cleared for use, a fragile wet-fit floor or what?
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
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Don't be too quick to write-off the Sea King...
Agree with previous posts about the idea of lifting MRT. The north side of Ben Nevis is hard enough without having to do it 3 times instead of 1 - you need a big cab for that work. Interestingly, all the MR's I've worked with who have had experience of the odd S-92 assisting instead of a SK, have all agreed 2 things:
1 - the downwash from a highly loaded disc like an S-92 makes for hard work during winching - the relatively gentle SK is easier on the troops.
2 - With the best will in the world, the Coasties are not well versed in mountain ops, (I stand by for the Cuillins argument). Lochaber and Glencoe MRs struggle to get the service they've been used to from the mil boys simply because it's not the CG's bread and butter. I take my hat off to their maritime skills but experience counts - hopefully enough mil boys will make the jump to SAR-H from Lossie/Gannet/Valley/Boulmer/Chiv to bridge the experience gap, otherwise the concept of having no less a service will be a bit of a porkie pie.
Finally, someone posted earlier that 200nm+ rescues are few and far between. Not sure the 771/Chiv boys would agree with that one.
1 - the downwash from a highly loaded disc like an S-92 makes for hard work during winching - the relatively gentle SK is easier on the troops.
2 - With the best will in the world, the Coasties are not well versed in mountain ops, (I stand by for the Cuillins argument). Lochaber and Glencoe MRs struggle to get the service they've been used to from the mil boys simply because it's not the CG's bread and butter. I take my hat off to their maritime skills but experience counts - hopefully enough mil boys will make the jump to SAR-H from Lossie/Gannet/Valley/Boulmer/Chiv to bridge the experience gap, otherwise the concept of having no less a service will be a bit of a porkie pie.
Finally, someone posted earlier that 200nm+ rescues are few and far between. Not sure the 771/Chiv boys would agree with that one.
