Md902 Explorer Ship ops.
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,629
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From: SW England
Out of interest bolkow, are the 135's mirrors on the pilot's side? Couldn't believe the fit on the Bo - am told it is all down to the position of the pitots, had to have the mirrors on the left 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 465
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From: swansea, wales
LOL, I cant understand how they can manage to hide that many from my gaze!
When the London ambulance replaced their previous dauphine with a 902 some years back, I remember a colleague that flew for that service then remarking baout it being unreliable and he said it was frequenly undergoing unscheduled maintainance in stark contrast to the previous dauphin. A year later the aircraft was advertised for sale but I dont think they got any takers. I think it was that and one or two other indirect conversations had with those who know it that created the thought in my mind that they might be junk, or at best not of the ilk and reliability required along with robustness in the offshore role.
When the London ambulance replaced their previous dauphine with a 902 some years back, I remember a colleague that flew for that service then remarking baout it being unreliable and he said it was frequenly undergoing unscheduled maintainance in stark contrast to the previous dauphin. A year later the aircraft was advertised for sale but I dont think they got any takers. I think it was that and one or two other indirect conversations had with those who know it that created the thought in my mind that they might be junk, or at best not of the ilk and reliability required along with robustness in the offshore role.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 31
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From: north pole
Cant think of a finer machine personally, no week point tail rotor and one switch to turn the engines on, perfect!!!!!!
Why the bad press???? Is some pissed off that the 902 is taking over at Trinity house???
Why the bad press???? Is some pissed off that the 902 is taking over at Trinity house???
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 465
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From: swansea, wales
To be honest to me I dod not know one was taking over at trinity house. Any more details on that, is it offical in any sense yet? If the machine is reliable I'd imagine the boot space is plentiful.
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: UK
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 210
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I started the thread and I'm not giving any bad press.
The purpose of the thread is hear from people who have utilised the 902 in an offshore ship based role, so we can learn about it from others.
The purpose of the thread is hear from people who have utilised the 902 in an offshore ship based role, so we can learn about it from others.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Feb 2003
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RE: no week point tail rotor.
Confined "unreccied" LS's are not a problem on Trinity ops as all the sites are known and loved.
The scenario is extreme turbulence operating in winds of up to 45-55 knots in exposed coastal rock stations, and underslinging at MAUW out of wind in gusty, turbulent conditions.
Add in a moving deck and the operation is rather different to Police/Air Ambulance.
The scenario is extreme turbulence operating in winds of up to 45-55 knots in exposed coastal rock stations, and underslinging at MAUW out of wind in gusty, turbulent conditions.
Add in a moving deck and the operation is rather different to Police/Air Ambulance.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Feb 2003
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Thanks !
Hooray - I looked at the website but I didn't find that. It looks great.
Also is that a bubble door?
And it looks like the pilot sits on the left for underslinging. Is that what you do Coconutty?
Also is that a bubble door?
And it looks like the pilot sits on the left for underslinging. Is that what you do Coconutty?
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 291
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From: UK
DeltaNg
Agree with vortex, that one doesn't wish to start a 135 vs 902 debate, but I'd suggest you're likely to get more answers from the 135 community, if only due to the number of machines brought into service to date - something over 800 135s compared to 125ish 902s. I'm willing to stand corrected, but I don't think I'm far off the mark! 
From an airframe point of view, I'd be surprised if the head & blade combo of the 902 (specifically the flex beam) will be able to stand up to the same sort of punishment as the 135 head when operating in real (i.e. all weather) ship-borne operations, especially if it spends any time shut down, with blades spread, on deck in any sort of wind - it's not quite the same as sitting on the back/front of a gin-palace-yacht-ship in the Mediterranean sun!!
Is that the only known operation? or are the lots of Explorers regularly working ships? and
I am asking the hundreds of 902 loadlifting pilots out there !!
From an airframe point of view, I'd be surprised if the head & blade combo of the 902 (specifically the flex beam) will be able to stand up to the same sort of punishment as the 135 head when operating in real (i.e. all weather) ship-borne operations, especially if it spends any time shut down, with blades spread, on deck in any sort of wind - it's not quite the same as sitting on the back/front of a gin-palace-yacht-ship in the Mediterranean sun!!
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Guest
Joined: Feb 2003
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Well done matey,
these are exactly the sort of points that I'm trying to learn more about.
I'm not starting a tit for tat debate I just want some considered input from people who know a bit about the 902 and what the things to watch out for are.
The aircraft has already been bought for this role., so there's no going back to anything else. I'm just trying to get some ideas on how best to operate it in these conditions.
these are exactly the sort of points that I'm trying to learn more about.
I'm not starting a tit for tat debate I just want some considered input from people who know a bit about the 902 and what the things to watch out for are.
The aircraft has already been bought for this role., so there's no going back to anything else. I'm just trying to get some ideas on how best to operate it in these conditions.
Joined: Mar 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 659
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From: Under my coconut tree
Just as well they automated the light ships 
The 902 wouldn't have stood a chance, too top heavy.... On a wet day with a slack tide those things were lethal, then add copious guano for good measure and you would have a rink Robin Cousins would have been proud of
Good luck to all,
The 902 wouldn't have stood a chance, too top heavy.... On a wet day with a slack tide those things were lethal, then add copious guano for good measure and you would have a rink Robin Cousins would have been proud of
Good luck to all,