SAR Ireland

[LIGHT50]

Any news on the SAR contract in Ireland. CHC, Airknight, Bond ,Bristow and Evergreen all mentioned . Looks like new tech machines.

[vee_why]

Rumour is only CHC and Bristow remain in the running.

[Pink Panther]

Any idea of a possible date for the announcement of preferred bidder.

[LIGHT50]

Looking at end of March.With rumour of only 3 bases with EIWF to go.

[bolkow]

So thats likel y to leave shannon dublin and Donegal or Sligo with EIWF going?
That if I am correct represents a cut back of 2/5ths. Jeeze.
BTW, I thought that contract was not due for renewal until 1012? Have they shortened it due to the recession? I bet the government is wishing it was still an all alouette 3 operation now to save money!

[Pink Panther]

Lead in time for new technology. If true about three bases it will make for interesting times ahead.

[LIGHT50]

Regardless of base numbers in the next contract CHC need to deal with the current problem concerning the poor management of the companies PHI policy which has left pilots who are off on sick leave without any income apart from social welfare.
But all is not lost. And now a message from our leader.
YouTube - Money (That's what i want)

[Pink Panther]

Like the link funny too. Sounds like some serious issues to be sorted there. Have the workforce any plans in relation to their colleagues.

[bolkow]

so no change there. Is it still 2012 before the new technology replaces the S61N helicopters used there?

[Ian Corrigible]

Dublin, Shannon & Slingo on 24 hour duty, with Waterford on 12 hour watch. Five aircraft, incl. one new.

I/C

[leinster]

SAR in Ireland

A little off-topic, but what kind of requirements need to be met to get into SAR flying in Ireland?
I'm on the way to getting my CPL(H) and this is my dream job, but I'm wondering what I need to be doing in the next few years to build up experience to get into it...?

Thanks all.

[Trans Lift]

I presume you'll need a JAA ATPL (frozen), JAA IR and I would imagine 1000 hours or so to get in the co-jo seat. That is what I was told before. But these days, with economy issues and a ridiculous amount of experienced pilots looking for work it isn't easy. I know a lot of guys back in Ireland with CPL/IR that are working in their old jobs. The SAR game is a sought after one in Ireland and chances of getting there are slim without experience.

The problem is that there are no jobs in Ireland for heli pilots because there is no industry.

Keep the dream alive though.

[Pink Panther]

Here you go mate, from the invite to tender document.

ii) Co-Pilots

Total helicopter hours 750 hours

Hours on multi-engined helicopters 350 hours

Hours on type 50 hours

Commercial Pilot’s Licence

Instrument Rating

ATPL theory credit

(Previous SAR experience is not mandatory)

[Prof Pat Pending]

So when jobs are going at bases in Southern England will there be a mass exodus of SAR pilots from ROI or IF the euro rate stays high will that necesarily keep em where they are.

[pasptoo]

12 hr SAR Cover

Dublin and Valley covering the Irish Sea on 24/7 and only 75 miles apart (circa). Too much politics to make one of these 12hr????

Waterford and Chivenor to cover the Bristol Channel on a 12 hr basis seems to be poor planning to say the least

It is the same company on both sides but is it different departments? Why don't they speak?

[bolkow]

Given the well dopcumented tradgedies inthe southern sector in recent years I really cannot understand the decision to scale back waterford to 12 hours. I am aware that some in chivenor felt its the beginning of the end as the next step will be to remark, well if they can manage on 12, lets try zero?
We badly need a ministerial yacht to hit trouble on the south east coast.

[Macaco Norte]

Heard that there may be problems inbound regarding EU employment directives. Something to do with the 2000 hour/year max & that the companies response is to make crews find accomodation off base during the night, for the period of standby. Im sure this wont be a popular course for most, especially the commuters.

[bolkow]

fantastic news, it must have been my signature on that petition that went around?
But seriously, sometimes the right decisions are not taken for the correct reasons, (ieressure) but this is good news for all.

[Macaco Norte]

So, as the reduction in hours at waterford was being used to keep manning levels adequate, does this u-turn mean that numbers will need to be increased?

[LIGHT50]

Maybe the staff in CHC saved the day by paying for the increase to 24 hr coverage themselves.. Crazy idea.Not according to the insurance salesman.