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AW139 G-LBAL helicopter crash in Gillingham, Norfolk

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AW139 G-LBAL helicopter crash in Gillingham, Norfolk

Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:17
  #81 (permalink)  

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Sp25, wouldn't that depend on the cockpit gradient?
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:31
  #82 (permalink)  
 
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SP25 - I reference this because it gives a clear picture of the crash site:-

Was helicopter in Norfolk crash that killed Lord Ballyedmond safe? | Mail Online

Now not being funny but that suggests to me that it was shunted within a few hundred metres of lifting. So did the weather really change that much??

To be honest its irrelevant because we have what we have.

The bigger point is that it is clear the CAA needs to get involved to better protect commercial pilots from the pressure to fly when it is marginal and to look at what flying is done into and out of private sites.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:35
  #83 (permalink)  
 
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I don't believe it was a commercial flight.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:40
  #84 (permalink)  
 
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The BBC are reporting that he wanted a refund for the helicopter from AW because of a list of technical malfunctions. Was in court this week?????
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:50
  #85 (permalink)  
 
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FSX, On the subject you raise,BBC Look East this lunchtime showed footage of the aircraft taking off from Gillingham Hall.It struck me that it looked potentially quite tricky.They were using the lawn of the house and the whole site was surrounded by mature tall trees.I would imagine that in poor visibility it would be very easy to clip a branch on your way out.
Something like G-EMAU at Welford ?
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 18:52
  #86 (permalink)  
 
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Technical issues.

So why was he still using it if he thought there were technical issues?
I hope the media don't try and blame this on technical issues with the aircraft like they tried to blame the Bournemouth 109 on sabotage.
The industry is having a bad enough time as it is.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 19:29
  #87 (permalink)  
 
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Stuart Hughes I don't believe it was a commercial flight.
I don't think the reply was about whether the flight was on an AOC or a "private" flight.

My reading of the comment was that it was aimed at the pressures placed on any captain (whether rotary or fixed wing) in a small-fleet operation.

Often job security is non-existent, because if you do not comply with commercial demands, the beneficial owner will find another more compliant captain.

I have no idea whether this was the case here, but I hold my hand up and say that I am guilty of taking unreasonable risks to keep my own (fixed-wing) job because there is so little work out there at the moment.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 19:37
  #88 (permalink)  
 
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Ok so I have only been flying corporate for the last nine years and have had on occasion pressure to fly in bad weather and said no , and never had any problems there after . As the pilot in command you have a legal responsibility for the safety and well being of the passengers and crew even if one of them is you're boss !

If one of my employers decided they no longer wanted my services that's fine but if I was dropped over a single incidence where I would not fly due weather then I would have grounds to take legal action. What might be helpful is a standard employment contract from the caa for freelances to use when working in the corporate environment to clearly state to the employer who has final say with wether to fly or not .

CBS
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 19:44
  #89 (permalink)  
 
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I agree CBSW but the huge expense and risk of taking legal action against an enormously wealthy and powerful employer, and the tiny compensation that is payable if you do happen to win, do not guarantee finding another job afterwards!
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 19:57
  #90 (permalink)  
 
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Fair one CBS. The pressures must be higher for Captains if they know that if they get fired, they would have to pay the training agreement (bond) back to Haughey Air as I believe many have done previously.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 20:22
  #91 (permalink)  
 
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BeeTee - again no idea if this was the contractual situation here, but it is becoming common in FW private flying too that captain has to "tender for bids" to "provide flying services", through his own one-man "company", thereby giving the beneficial owner (usually through another offshore holding company) to terminate services on any pretext. It is a convenient arrangement that absolves the wealthy from paying health insurance, social security, pensions or any of the other expenses involved in employing a professional pilot.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 20:50
  #92 (permalink)  
 
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It's been the case for many years that pilot jobs are hard to come by, it's natural that once you've got one you want to hang on to it, and saying no, either to the client or boss certainly isn't easy.
If an employer has a reputation for not holding onto pilots due to Ts & Cs, it would seem logical that after a while the stream of experienced and rated people who will say no will dry up and there's a danger you'll get what your asking for....people around you who are frightened to say no. Not saying that is the case here, in fact this wealthy owner, unlike many, invested in the latest aircraft and had 2 pilot crewing.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 21:14
  #93 (permalink)  
 
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Developing: AW139 G-LBAL helicopter crash in Gillingham, Norfolk

...And was looking for a new pilot every six month...
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 21:17
  #94 (permalink)  
 
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Art of flight .

I completely agree with you there is always someone who will fly the machines no ones else will or take the risk others don't but then what is the answer ? Just except the fact that every year a certain number of people will be killed in circumstances that the rest of us say we would never get into .

Personally I would like to see the currency requirements made much more stringent drop the 90 day rule and bring in a 30 day rule for night and imc, force owners to allow their pilots regular opportunities to practice important skills .

Also be open minded to new technology such as IR cameras and synthetic vision anything that might allow a pilot to " see " where they are going

CBS
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 21:28
  #95 (permalink)  
 
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It would be interesting to know what was the departure time filled on the GAR Report against the actual take off time,
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 21:40
  #96 (permalink)  
 
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CBS, this machine was equipped with LLTV/Thermal imaging. You can see the camera mounted on the belly under the pilots seat.
Was it on or not? Who knows. You'll have to wait for the FDR readout.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 22:08
  #97 (permalink)  
 
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Aviation experts

I heard some good comments on pilot pressure, to " get the job done" there were also some comments that were less than useful.
I knew both pilots well. They were professional and committed to their job.
Risk management is the priority. Pilot skill is important, but less of an issue these days, although currency is key, to managing a complex aircraft.
These guys were current and skillful, in their operation.
I'm gutted and deeply upset of our, and their loved ones loss.
That is the priority now. Not speculating, using our so called "aviation expertise"
God bless you Carl and Lee.
It was a privilege knowing you.
God Bless.
Andy.
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Old 14th Mar 2014, 22:32
  #98 (permalink)  
 
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From the Guardian

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Old 15th Mar 2014, 01:49
  #99 (permalink)  
 
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Maybe the CAA need to raise the helicopter visibility minima's altogether?
Some prosecutions of operators/pilots doing VFR in blatant IMC might help.
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Old 15th Mar 2014, 04:04
  #100 (permalink)  
 
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I thought the 139 could shoot a 6 degree approach to any spot in space and come to a perfect hover without coming on the control. True or false? The EC145 can do this right?
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