Sea Kings continue flying operations
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
Belgian Ministry of Defence: Westland Sea King Mk 48
Interesting prioritization of the SK's SAR role in Belgian service:
- To get drunkards
- To carry out burns patients
- To assist ships in difficulty
- Detecting missing and surveillance missions from the coastline

I/C


Joined: Jun 2014
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 86
From: Netherlands
I assume poor Google translate?
But I like it!
Who said that computers have no humour?
Drenkeling = drowning man
Dronkaard = Drunkard
Cheers SLB
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
SLB,
Yes, a Google translate.
Thanks for the explanation; I'd stereotypically pictured a guy trying to paddle across the Channel after one too many Westmalle Tripels...
I/C
Yes, a Google translate.
Thanks for the explanation; I'd stereotypically pictured a guy trying to paddle across the Channel after one too many Westmalle Tripels...
I/C

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Yeovil, England
Ref Crab's Post 18
Had to laugh at the headline top speed of 90Kts on the same page as 'the future, Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier'. How will their shiny new toy cope with a leaky Sea King dropping, fuel, hyds and gearbox oil on it?
It's a novel idea for your ilk I know, but they are proffessionals, they will clean it up the same as they always did.
It's a novel idea for your ilk I know, but they are proffessionals, they will clean it up the same as they always did.

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 365
From: uk
In the mid-80s there was a spate of Sea King HAS Mk5 radar control set failures. (RAF - you had something similar, the box at head height with lots of black knobs). It transpired that someone with good intentions had put masking tape along the inner seams to stop oil, which dripped (poured) down from the MGB drip tray onto the LRU, then leaking out through ventilation grills onto the consoles/PPI display. Ventilation/cooling is usually quite important in avionics. CRSs were being removed with an inch of oil in them, cooked to perfection.
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: End of the pier
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: End of the pier
Sorry to re-open an old thread but, having sighted a Westland Sea King Mk.5 four times in the last two weeks from the Bournemouth Eastcliff, I was wondering if anyone has an update on the HeliOps contract. I did read that there was a little 'local difficulty' with the coucil over the lease of the operating base at Portland at the start - I assume this was resolved !
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: On Dry Land Now
HeliOps Difficulties?
HeliOps don’t lease the hangar, dispersal or runway.... they own it!
Planning issues were overcome as one of the many challenges facing the HeliOps team...... Weymouth Council have now accepted that HeliOps is lawfully using the site and that they now agree agree with Steve G’s Barrister..... and have issued a Certificate if Lawful use as a helicopter operating and maintenance facility with no restrictions.
Looking forward to seeing more military types operating out of Portland!
Well done HeliOps
Planning issues were overcome as one of the many challenges facing the HeliOps team...... Weymouth Council have now accepted that HeliOps is lawfully using the site and that they now agree agree with Steve G’s Barrister..... and have issued a Certificate if Lawful use as a helicopter operating and maintenance facility with no restrictions.
Looking forward to seeing more military types operating out of Portland!
Well done HeliOps
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Have they got CFAOS approval?

Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 811
Likes: 11
From: Bar to Bar
A question designed to do nothing but cause mischief.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/674702/MAA_Approved_Organizations.pdf
That was difficult, come on crab, you're better than that.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/674702/MAA_Approved_Organizations.pdf
That was difficult, come on crab, you're better than that.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 446
From: same planet as yours
...and the Belgium Air Component...
Belgian Ministry of Defence: Westland Sea King Mk 48
Belgian Ministry of Defence: Westland Sea King Mk 48

Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
A question designed to do nothing but cause mischief.
Are they an ATO as well?

Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
What a warm and friendly tone your posts have - a little ray of sunshine.
I'm still interested to know how an aircraft that has been taken out of service (mks 3, 4 and 5) because they were all knackered and had a shortage of spares has been brought back as airworthy for the purposes of what is a commercial operation.
Love to see the Release to Service
Someone in the MAA has oversight of this and is 'taking the risk' - senior Navy officer perchance?
Someone is the DDH and ODH for this operation under CFAOS.
I'm still interested to know how an aircraft that has been taken out of service (mks 3, 4 and 5) because they were all knackered and had a shortage of spares has been brought back as airworthy for the purposes of what is a commercial operation.
Love to see the Release to Service
Someone in the MAA has oversight of this and is 'taking the risk' - senior Navy officer perchance?
Someone is the DDH and ODH for this operation under CFAOS.


Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 206
From: SW England
Without wanting to join the apparently-ill-tempered part of the thread, could/would someone answer an idly-curious question please?
I was operating along the ridge above Portsmouth about 6 weeks ago, monitoring Fleetlands as I left Solent's area, when I saw what appeared to my tired old eyes a Mk3a going into whatever they call the RNAY these days. No squawk observed; the nice person at Fleetlands said they transit on one radio only, no avionics. As mentioned above, I'm only being inquisitive - what are the ex-RAF SKs being used or flown for?
I was operating along the ridge above Portsmouth about 6 weeks ago, monitoring Fleetlands as I left Solent's area, when I saw what appeared to my tired old eyes a Mk3a going into whatever they call the RNAY these days. No squawk observed; the nice person at Fleetlands said they transit on one radio only, no avionics. As mentioned above, I'm only being inquisitive - what are the ex-RAF SKs being used or flown for?
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by [email protected]
I'm still interested to know how an aircraft that has been taken out of service (mks 3, 4 and 5) because they were all knackered and had a shortage of spares has been brought back as airworthy for the purposes of what is a commercial operation.
Love to see the Release to Service
Love to see the Release to Service



