Millionaire helicopter pilots to ferry emergency services...
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Guys, why is everyone up in arms about this and allowing the issue to draw some of you into name-calling and dragging up irrelevant historical events?
For those of you that are keen to constantly remind us that you are an owner or instructor, you should automatically be getting the GASCO Flight Safety magazine. Have a look at this Autumns edition, in particular the article on page 12 and the one on page 15
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Those bloody newspaper reports again;
This is Gloucestershire
Cheese slice number 11
This is Gloucestershire
"I understand the need to fund the rehabilitation of servicemen as my brother was in the SAS from the paras and served in the Regiment from 1986 to 1991," he said.
"He always loves it when I take risks.
"He always loves it when I take risks.
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Silsoe
Of course, you're absolutely right, foresight is a better tool, but only if you put that tool to good use.
At the moment, all you are doing is a character assassination by bumping your gums on a rumor network. If you feel strongly about it and don't believe the authorities will do their bit then do something yourself.
Tam
At the moment, all you are doing is a character assassination by bumping your gums on a rumor network. If you feel strongly about it and don't believe the authorities will do their bit then do something yourself.
Tam
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Supple
As everyone is having a go at me I can only speak as I find having met him 5 or 6 times and flown with him for about 4 hours
The pix is a classic example of everyone believing the press. He retospectivly applied having put a turntable in his garden so he could inspect the tail section. That is what led to the planning problems.
To all those that think the idea is reckless, mad, etc etc, DO NOT call him names when you have never seen his skill level or met him, it makes you look ......... his heart is in the right place as is his money, he does an awful lot for various communities and organisations.
Mr B yes I will speak to him, as this was news to me when i saw it in the Times. Personally I dont think it is a great idea, but then again given the correct set of circumstances who knows. If it was your daughter dying in an RTA because the cutting gear was stuck in traffic I know what everyone on this site would do / allow !
Yes it may not be workable, it may be unsafe but any risk assessment will sort that out. Is it any risker than a 250 hour cpl carrying pax or as in one case i am involved with a 250 hour pilot tree sawing in Sweden with a 400kg saw 50 ft under the 500 and less than 10m from the 11000kw lines ?
If nothing else it has put into the public domain (that none of you would have a hope of doing) how useful the machines we fly are.
As to being able to carry firefighters, i have had 3 in my machine and was able to deploy them where HM SeaKing couldnt land ( 5 shuttles for the 15 guys) every machine has its advantages and disadvantages. One 500 is better than nothing.
I shall now retire to my trench with overhead protection
As everyone is having a go at me I can only speak as I find having met him 5 or 6 times and flown with him for about 4 hours
The pix is a classic example of everyone believing the press. He retospectivly applied having put a turntable in his garden so he could inspect the tail section. That is what led to the planning problems.
To all those that think the idea is reckless, mad, etc etc, DO NOT call him names when you have never seen his skill level or met him, it makes you look ......... his heart is in the right place as is his money, he does an awful lot for various communities and organisations.
Mr B yes I will speak to him, as this was news to me when i saw it in the Times. Personally I dont think it is a great idea, but then again given the correct set of circumstances who knows. If it was your daughter dying in an RTA because the cutting gear was stuck in traffic I know what everyone on this site would do / allow !
Yes it may not be workable, it may be unsafe but any risk assessment will sort that out. Is it any risker than a 250 hour cpl carrying pax or as in one case i am involved with a 250 hour pilot tree sawing in Sweden with a 400kg saw 50 ft under the 500 and less than 10m from the 11000kw lines ?
If nothing else it has put into the public domain (that none of you would have a hope of doing) how useful the machines we fly are.
As to being able to carry firefighters, i have had 3 in my machine and was able to deploy them where HM SeaKing couldnt land ( 5 shuttles for the 15 guys) every machine has its advantages and disadvantages. One 500 is better than nothing.
I shall now retire to my trench with overhead protection
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
If you feel strongly about it and don't believe the authorities will do their bit then do something yourself.
Dear Hughes500, (not having a go)
As you told us earlier that you have taken Mr Paxton's last LPC's, I assume you have his contact details and very probably be taking his next.
While you are in conversation next, please let him know that at least one of his fellow aviators is concerned about some of his personality traits. Traits recognised in others that have led them to believe that because you are successful in one aspect if your life, doesn't necessarily mean this success will transfer to aviation.
Single pilot CRM may be scoffed at by some people here, however a moments reflection before lifting could very possibly save his life and the lives of those in the aircraft with him.
If only a message such as this could have been passed to others, but we never do until its too late, do we?
However, maybe a bit of direction to this thread would suffice, simply to read my concerns.
Regards
SS
Firstly my respects for your post, very professional unlike many.
I agree with you entirely and will be speaking to him about it, as I have said personally I dont think it is a good idea. What I object to is the school playground name calling that is going on.
when I have spoken to him i will report back to the forum, you never know it may have been blown out of all preportion by the press.
Firstly my respects for your post, very professional unlike many.
I agree with you entirely and will be speaking to him about it, as I have said personally I dont think it is a good idea. What I object to is the school playground name calling that is going on.
when I have spoken to him i will report back to the forum, you never know it may have been blown out of all preportion by the press.
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500, for God's sake don't take any of this personally and I really don't think anyone is having a go, for my part while I think that old Paxo may be a bit caught up in himself I'm sure he's as nice as pie but - I think his idea is totally unworkable though and would invite more problems than it would solve.
From my side its light-hearted banter - I mean this is a great opportunity to speak clearly and plainly about such a matter and from what I can see that's what pprune is all about!
From my side its light-hearted banter - I mean this is a great opportunity to speak clearly and plainly about such a matter and from what I can see that's what pprune is all about!
Hughes500 - I am sure he is a very nice, capable and generous chap but even the good guys need telling they are being a prat now and again, especially when their intended actions will serve no practical purpose and could easily lead to interfering with or hampering the emergency services carrying out their jobs.
I don't know if you have any SAR/HEMS/Police experience to base your assertion that Mr Paxton is capable of operating in such a role but if he wants to do this, the first step is to consider some training.
The most important part of an emergency services operation is communications - what are his plans for that??? Does he have an airwave set? Does he have access to the appropriate net? or does he think a well meaning amateur floating around with no idea of the protocols or SOPS of the rest of the emergency services is a good idea?
For Mr Paxton's helicopter to be of use, the incident will have to be in good (ish) weather, by day and in an area only accessible by a small helicopter (assuming there are no other airborne assets available). Whilst I am sure someone will think of a scenario or two where these planets might align, I can think of hundreds where they won't.
Out of interest, just how many hours does Mr Paxton have and does he have an IR?
I am not dissing the indivdual, just a really rubbish idea.
I don't know if you have any SAR/HEMS/Police experience to base your assertion that Mr Paxton is capable of operating in such a role but if he wants to do this, the first step is to consider some training.
The most important part of an emergency services operation is communications - what are his plans for that??? Does he have an airwave set? Does he have access to the appropriate net? or does he think a well meaning amateur floating around with no idea of the protocols or SOPS of the rest of the emergency services is a good idea?
For Mr Paxton's helicopter to be of use, the incident will have to be in good (ish) weather, by day and in an area only accessible by a small helicopter (assuming there are no other airborne assets available). Whilst I am sure someone will think of a scenario or two where these planets might align, I can think of hundreds where they won't.
Out of interest, just how many hours does Mr Paxton have and does he have an IR?
I am not dissing the indivdual, just a really rubbish idea.
I can't believe people are talking like this. Here is a guy offering a taxi service to the emergency services. He has no government mandate, he has no licence to carry this operation out. He will need exemptions to land at ad hoc sites close to the 'disaster site. He might need permissions to fly outside of the low fly rules to get the job done. Of course this will NEVER happen to a private operator with or without a group of 'mates' who can be telephoned to help out. The whole thing is preposterous.
Can anyone on here think of ANY circumstances when the emergency services will EVER need to call on someone in the neighbourhood to offer a helping hand because the services have 'run out' of assets?????
Please - if we are going to talk a modicum of common sense here, let's keep everything in proportion. Short of a mass public exodus from the scene of an apocalyptic disaster and using everything that can fly drive and sail to save lives (nuclear war, imminent tsunami, UKIP winning the general election) the emergency services will always tap into a professional response team like the military/police/hems.
Let's keep this tongue in cheek - where it deserves to be. Serious comments about the slimmest possibility of this taking off make those who make such comments - look ridiculous and naive.
Take a look at how he treats flight safety. He parks a half ton hand grenade, 30 feet from his conservatory, balanced on a postage stamp. Absolutely no consideration whatsoever for reject areas, walk arounds and wind conditions.
People like this give the industry a very bad name. Could one imagine living next door to this prat?
Can anyone on here think of ANY circumstances when the emergency services will EVER need to call on someone in the neighbourhood to offer a helping hand because the services have 'run out' of assets?????
Please - if we are going to talk a modicum of common sense here, let's keep everything in proportion. Short of a mass public exodus from the scene of an apocalyptic disaster and using everything that can fly drive and sail to save lives (nuclear war, imminent tsunami, UKIP winning the general election) the emergency services will always tap into a professional response team like the military/police/hems.
Let's keep this tongue in cheek - where it deserves to be. Serious comments about the slimmest possibility of this taking off make those who make such comments - look ridiculous and naive.
Take a look at how he treats flight safety. He parks a half ton hand grenade, 30 feet from his conservatory, balanced on a postage stamp. Absolutely no consideration whatsoever for reject areas, walk arounds and wind conditions.
People like this give the industry a very bad name. Could one imagine living next door to this prat?
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When folks united by a common bond of aviation can't discuss a topic without resorting to slander, how can we expect to have a reasonable dialogue with those outside of aviation who are trying to curb our rights?
As stated by many, there are several sticky issues that make this idea impractical, though we should at least be able to discuss this "professionally", banter aside.
As stated by many, there are several sticky issues that make this idea impractical, though we should at least be able to discuss this "professionally", banter aside.
Last edited by birrddog; 26th Nov 2012 at 21:57.
you forget unless you have 10000 hours total time and an ATPL there is a question mark over your frame of reference and essentially you are always going to be a CU next tuesday..
Also with regard to coming in as extra hands --with a single engined option
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If he was a member of HAI and lived in the USA, then he would be welcome to sign up for the First Responder Program whereby in a disaster whereby the authorities could ask for outside help, the Association could call on their member who signed up with their aircraft and mobilized to said situation.
Also uses of MD500 in firefighting service
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/pd...rol%20500E.pdf
MD Helicopters - News
Cheers
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If he was a member of HAI and lived in the USA, then he would be welcome to sign up for the First Responder Program whereby in a disaster whereby the authorities could ask for outside help, the Association could call on their member who signed up with their aircraft and mobilized to said situation.
Also uses of MD500 in firefighting service
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/pd...rol%20500E.pdf
MD Helicopters - News
Cheers
Last edited by chopper2004; 26th Nov 2012 at 22:09.
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TC
I thought you could breach the ANO low flying rules etc in the interests of saving life?
He will need exemptions to land at ad hoc sites close to the 'disaster site. He might need permissions to fly outside of the low fly rules to get the job done.
Last edited by chopjock; 26th Nov 2012 at 22:25.
Hooray! Someone else to have a go cleaning up all the fresh blood and vomit before it creeps into and under the myriad of joints and crevices in the floor of the helicopter.
Not to mention the olfactory challenge of flying casualties with copremesis.
Good luck to em!
Not to mention the olfactory challenge of flying casualties with copremesis.
Good luck to em!
Last edited by Bertie Thruster; 26th Nov 2012 at 22:32.
Crab
He does have an IR and has way more than a 1000 hours on type.
Isnt the idea of a helicopter is you can park it on a postage stamp ?
The rest of the name calling I will leave to you very professional pilots, count me out
He does have an IR and has way more than a 1000 hours on type.
Isnt the idea of a helicopter is you can park it on a postage stamp ?
The rest of the name calling I will leave to you very professional pilots, count me out
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Seems he also has training in firefighting helicopters - according to the other thread running http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/467...re-ranger.html
I sometimes wonder how much each post tells us about the poster, rather than the subject of the post.
I sometimes wonder how much each post tells us about the poster, rather than the subject of the post.
Hughes 500
I think there is a little more to the roles of a helicopter than that
now you are starting to sound petulant which doesn't seem in character - if Mr Paxton can't take a little critcism (and the worst he has been called is a prat) when he comes up with a poor idea (and you agree that it is a poor idea) then he can't be the fine fellow (and customer) you are supporting on here.
Both his 'fire-ranger' and fire brigade assistant ideas and broadly laduable as sentiment from one who wants to help (himself in the case of the fire-bucket stuff) but why not do it quietly instead of the self-aggrandising press releases with cheesy posng in an SAS-style flying suit.
If he doesn't want to come across as a walt or overeager wannabe then tell him to just enjoy his flying - if he wants something more challenging I would happily fly with him and take him to Snowdonia or similar but this obsession with being part of the emergency services setup in UK is a non-starter.
The fire ranger stuff is another example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing - anyone who has done any fire-bucketing will know that you need beaters on the ground AND the fire bucket AND some co-ordination between the two - just dumping water willy-nilly won't help much.
Isnt the idea of a helicopter is you can park it on a postage stamp ?
The rest of the name calling I will leave to you very professional pilots, count me out
Both his 'fire-ranger' and fire brigade assistant ideas and broadly laduable as sentiment from one who wants to help (himself in the case of the fire-bucket stuff) but why not do it quietly instead of the self-aggrandising press releases with cheesy posng in an SAS-style flying suit.
If he doesn't want to come across as a walt or overeager wannabe then tell him to just enjoy his flying - if he wants something more challenging I would happily fly with him and take him to Snowdonia or similar but this obsession with being part of the emergency services setup in UK is a non-starter.
The fire ranger stuff is another example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing - anyone who has done any fire-bucketing will know that you need beaters on the ground AND the fire bucket AND some co-ordination between the two - just dumping water willy-nilly won't help much.