UK NPAS - The Decline
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: The Middle bit
It seems to me that decades of hard work by hundreds of dedicated Police aviation personal has been or is being kicked into touch by the pathetic bean counters that the majority of those personal probably elected into office for a second term.
It's all very sad.
It's all very sad.
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: UK
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 5th October 2015 at 01:47. Reason: Fix YouTube embed
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Norfolk
Proof positive that the average seagull has more initiative than a government minister.
Okay so the test flight could have been a bit better organised, but as a proof of concept, brilliant!
Okay so the test flight could have been a bit better organised, but as a proof of concept, brilliant!
Joined: May 2007
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From: Banished (twice) to the pointless forest
From the NPAS Website:
"You's" FFS!
NPAS Newcastle @NPAS_Newcastle
@tynemouthRNLI We have a lot in common, apart from the mode of transport. Look forward to seeing you's at our base.
@tynemouthRNLI We have a lot in common, apart from the mode of transport. Look forward to seeing you's at our base.
"You's" FFS!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,931
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From: Warrington, UK
Chatting to folks around the bazaars occasionally brings up the odd nugget of information.
I gather there was meeting in Wakefield today of BMs, "Senior Pilots"(yes I know Senior Pilots have gone, in title that is, but each unit still needs/has that senior aviator type person for that expert aviation knowledge. I also know that many pilots are strongly resisting this effort to get them to do what the old SPs were doing), plus various desk jockeys.
I also gather that it was due to start at 9am meaning that many had to stay overnight in a hotel, exacerbating the current problem of undermanning because of an overtime ban(leading to single crewing) and a general lack of pilots. Not to mention the hotel expenses in this era of cost cutting.
A later start time could have perhaps reduced of prevented this?
With the current reduction from a 25 a/c service to a 15 a/c one, it looks like a 10 ac model, at the moment, looking at the numbers of available ac due to this no overtime, lack of engineering cover and shortage of NPAS employed pilots to cover duties.
I gather there was meeting in Wakefield today of BMs, "Senior Pilots"(yes I know Senior Pilots have gone, in title that is, but each unit still needs/has that senior aviator type person for that expert aviation knowledge. I also know that many pilots are strongly resisting this effort to get them to do what the old SPs were doing), plus various desk jockeys.
I also gather that it was due to start at 9am meaning that many had to stay overnight in a hotel, exacerbating the current problem of undermanning because of an overtime ban(leading to single crewing) and a general lack of pilots. Not to mention the hotel expenses in this era of cost cutting.
A later start time could have perhaps reduced of prevented this?
With the current reduction from a 25 a/c service to a 15 a/c one, it looks like a 10 ac model, at the moment, looking at the numbers of available ac due to this no overtime, lack of engineering cover and shortage of NPAS employed pilots to cover duties.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Bristol
Ive been offline!
Ive been offline for about 18 months, fighting another quarter but on checking with Pprune it seems that the promised disaster that was NPAS really did take its awful toll.
The Service that by 2006 led the world in effective Police Aviation is, ten years later, all but dead. - Due to the ministrations of NPAS . OD who was seen as someone who might possibly save it, - didn't!
There are some very guilty people out there.
Sad - Very sad. So now I will get down to reading it all up again. Someone needs to document this farce!
tigerfish ( The old b****rs not dead yet )
The Service that by 2006 led the world in effective Police Aviation is, ten years later, all but dead. - Due to the ministrations of NPAS . OD who was seen as someone who might possibly save it, - didn't!
There are some very guilty people out there.
Sad - Very sad. So now I will get down to reading it all up again. Someone needs to document this farce!
tigerfish ( The old b****rs not dead yet )
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,753
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From: Alles über die platz
Pembrey Saved
Well, when I say 'saved'...
Pembrey's police helicopter base saved "for now" | Llanelli Star
"Any other problem I can reassure you about?"
Pembrey's police helicopter base saved "for now" | Llanelli Star
PEMBREY'S police helicopter base has been saved from closure for the "foreseeable future".
It means as part of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) it will remain as an NPAS forward operating base for the time being to support operations.
Among its roles will be to act as a refuelling point and the deal means there will be a 24 hour helicopter service as opposed to the current 12 hours.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon said: "I'm pleased we've been able to secure this deal for the people of Dyfed-Powys.
It means as part of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) it will remain as an NPAS forward operating base for the time being to support operations.
Among its roles will be to act as a refuelling point and the deal means there will be a 24 hour helicopter service as opposed to the current 12 hours.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon said: "I'm pleased we've been able to secure this deal for the people of Dyfed-Powys.
"Any other problem I can reassure you about?"
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 174
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From: UK
Sid, so the good news is that there is still going to be a helicopter base at Pembrey. That sounds fantastic.
Am I right in my interpretation of the story in saying that there won't be what you might call an actual helicopter based there?
Am I right in my interpretation of the story in saying that there won't be what you might call an actual helicopter based there?
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,753
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From: Alles über die platz
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Norfolk
Well they got the bit right about senior officers lacking the bottle to actually deal with crime anymore. That's what comes of putting civilian crime commisioners in charge. The looney lefties are now running the asylum.
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: uk
To
To be fair, I don't think NPAS would have been able to attend the Cuffs prison break as it did look pretty foggy to me. It's a shame the fixed wing are not on line yet, it might have been a different story.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,753
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From: Alles über die platz
I did like the way that the motorcyclist took along a spare helmet and the crim took time to pause and put it on before mounting the bike; and isn't it a bit of a wonder why he wasn't wearing cuffs, especially considering that's the title of the programme Anyway lets not forget this is only television, and despite it being in colour, isn't real life ……. much like Northiam Road and Dalton Hill don't happen to be between Hastings and Ashford
Being set up by someone in Sussex?