Police aviation news, another 902 bashing!
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winchman :
I know of at least one Police Air Unit in the UK that changed from a 902 to a 135
within the last 10 years, primarily because of the unavailablity of spare parts ( notably Flex Beams )
and lack of confidence that the Company would turn those problems around within a timeframe
that was acceptable - weighed against the risk of the aircraft being grounded
( like others had been ) for extended periods of time.
I think the Flex Beam issue, and maybe others, has now beeen addressed, but if you "didn't notice" those issues,
then you weren't keeping up to date with what was happening with the worldwide fleet !
I know of at least one Police Air Unit in the UK that changed from a 902 to a 135
within the last 10 years, primarily because of the unavailablity of spare parts ( notably Flex Beams )
and lack of confidence that the Company would turn those problems around within a timeframe
that was acceptable - weighed against the risk of the aircraft being grounded
( like others had been ) for extended periods of time.
I think the Flex Beam issue, and maybe others, has now beeen addressed, but if you "didn't notice" those issues,
then you weren't keeping up to date with what was happening with the worldwide fleet !
Well I guess as this thread was 'named' after me I guess I should undertake at least one post in it before it fizzles and disappears.
It looks as if my text in the last issue was based on repeating 'iffy' information. Hands up on that and of course that 'error' will be covered in my report on the LAA purchase next month [after I have secured my severely dropped jaw].
But my reason for being here is to make mention of the other recent air ambulance purchase by very long term Explorer operator and champion [despite all] Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Unable to sustain the MD Explorer any more - for every single reason given by the denigrators above - they have bought into the Airbus Helicopters H145 after at least two years research in which the recent front runners were only really the Bell 429 and the H145.
Would they have operated a new Explorer if they had been given the opportunity - probably. But that reaction is based on the perfect product that serves its purpose to be available on a daily basis and not a nightmare that often resulted in neither aircraft being available all too often.
It will be a more than a couple of years before they can see for sure that the H145 does what it says on the label on a daily basis but in truth MD do not even offer them the option of a new aircraft. All these 'new' Explorer's are simply more recycling.
In a year or so there may well be ten or so 'new' 902s for the air ambulance community to buy into as Yorkshire and NPAS get out of this marque.
It looks as if my text in the last issue was based on repeating 'iffy' information. Hands up on that and of course that 'error' will be covered in my report on the LAA purchase next month [after I have secured my severely dropped jaw].
But my reason for being here is to make mention of the other recent air ambulance purchase by very long term Explorer operator and champion [despite all] Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Unable to sustain the MD Explorer any more - for every single reason given by the denigrators above - they have bought into the Airbus Helicopters H145 after at least two years research in which the recent front runners were only really the Bell 429 and the H145.
Would they have operated a new Explorer if they had been given the opportunity - probably. But that reaction is based on the perfect product that serves its purpose to be available on a daily basis and not a nightmare that often resulted in neither aircraft being available all too often.
It will be a more than a couple of years before they can see for sure that the H145 does what it says on the label on a daily basis but in truth MD do not even offer them the option of a new aircraft. All these 'new' Explorer's are simply more recycling.
In a year or so there may well be ten or so 'new' 902s for the air ambulance community to buy into as Yorkshire and NPAS get out of this marque.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Ah yes, the Yorkshire AA, new aircraft with a little help from the Govt.
Worthy of a different thread!
Government pledges £1 million towards new Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Worthy of a different thread!
Government pledges £1 million towards new Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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There you go Mr. PANews. A quick apology for your "iffy" information and off you go again with MD902 bashing. This time up north to your other regular contributors at YAA. They are always good for a few quotable lines that you can mold into your bash 902 campaign to fill another half page of your online rag.
There are parts issues with every manufacturer. MDHI is probably the biggest offender, but the availability figures that winchman quoted earlier in this thread are realistic, and you refuse to acknowledge them, or the fact that if these availabilty rates were not being achieved, someone would be hurting financially.
I would have to agree with you in that the 902s may soon be extinct, and when they are, what product will you bash then. I bet Bell or Augusta. It certainly won't be your friends at Airbus.
There are parts issues with every manufacturer. MDHI is probably the biggest offender, but the availability figures that winchman quoted earlier in this thread are realistic, and you refuse to acknowledge them, or the fact that if these availabilty rates were not being achieved, someone would be hurting financially.
I would have to agree with you in that the 902s may soon be extinct, and when they are, what product will you bash then. I bet Bell or Augusta. It certainly won't be your friends at Airbus.
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In the argument that occasionally occurs on this thread about the 902 v something else, I think it might be worth considering that the needs of the LAA are different from other county-covering (some multiple county) HEMS operations. Several characteristics of the 902 are particualrly useful for London.
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Well, now that it's official......
Here is G-LNDN
MD 900 Explorer MSN 900-00125
The final push for funding is in progress so that the airframe can be painted and prepared for operation.
The plan is to rotate LNDN & EHMS week by week, thus allowing LAA to have an aircraft available at all times.
Here is G-LNDN
MD 900 Explorer MSN 900-00125
The final push for funding is in progress so that the airframe can be painted and prepared for operation.
The plan is to rotate LNDN & EHMS week by week, thus allowing LAA to have an aircraft available at all times.
MD902 bashing
