Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

Mountain Rescue Ireland want smaller helicopters for search and rescue missions

Wikiposts
Search
Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

Mountain Rescue Ireland want smaller helicopters for search and rescue missions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 07:34
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Galway
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mountain Rescue Ireland want smaller helicopters for search and rescue missions

Ireland winging it when it comes to mountain rescue as helicopters 'not optimal' for search ops, rescue reps say (thesun.ie)
Davey Emcee is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 07:42
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
So the Irish Sun couldn't even be bothered to find (or take) a picture of an S92 and shoved in an old S-61 pic instead - modern journalism...
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 10:39
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: liverpool uk
Age: 67
Posts: 1,338
Received 16 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by [email protected]
So the Irish Sun couldn't even be bothered to find (or take) a picture of an S92 and shoved in an old S-61 pic instead - modern journalism...
The S 61 is mentioned in the piece, but where are they getting their ideas from, considering the RAF used the Sea King in the mountains for years as well as the Wessex before that.
air pig is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 12:02
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
I suspect the reason that they only attend 1 out of 4 mountain jobs is more to do with lack of NVG capability as most calls for missing walkers come late in the day.

Also, regardless of helicopter size, if the mountain is in cloud (as they mostly are in Ireland) you can’t achieve terribly much. Small helicopters possess no greater magical skills than big ones.

It sounds like Irish MR are filled with as many helicopter “experts” as UK MR
P3 Bellows is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 13:31
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
air pig - the prooblem is the S-61 is a bit bigger than the Sea King and didn't have RAF pilots flying it

The RN/FAA flew non-NVG mountains for many years up North in Prestwick.
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 15:38
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
Posts: 1,960
Received 50 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by [email protected]
The RN/FAA flew non-NVG mountains for many years up North in Prestwick.
There are mountains up there...?

The definition for "mountain flying" typically begins at the 4k' elevation on this side of the pond....
Gordy is online now  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 16:11
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
True Gordy but the steepness of the terrain, and peaks proximity to each other plus the full force of the Atlantic winds and weather make the UK mountains very nasty places to fly, especially in the dark. As you well know being an ex-pat
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 17:39
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
Posts: 1,960
Received 50 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by [email protected]
True Gordy but the steepness of the terrain, and peaks proximity to each other plus the full force of the Atlantic winds and weather make the UK mountains very nasty places to fly, especially in the dark. As you well know being an ex-pat
100% Agree..... Just taunting as one does....It would have been "rude not too", as they say..
Gordy is online now  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 19:37
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Crab,

The RN/FAA flew non-NVG mountains for many years up North in Prestwick.
does that mean the RN SAR crews were better and more capable than those girlie RAF pilots with there sissy NVGs?
P3 Bellows is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 21:54
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
Posts: 1,468
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
[Removes gloves.]

If I were doing MR in Ireland, I think my priorities would be rather different from those that have recently been highlighted.

Something like:
1. Sack all the muppets who have been messing up NVIS intro and find somebody who knows what they're doing and will get on with it.
2. Get a contractor with advanced communications skills.
3. Establish a robust system for safe winching of SAR stakeholder stretchers.
4. Learn to love a stable winching platform with oodles of power margin.

Last edited by jimf671; 22nd Jun 2021 at 22:15.
jimf671 is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2021, 22:14
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
Posts: 1,468
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
Originally Posted by Gordy
There are mountains up there...?

The definition for "mountain flying" typically begins at the 4k' elevation on this side of the pond....
Equatorial bunkum to us in the sub-arctic environment.

57N
jimf671 is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2021, 05:26
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
P3
does that mean the RN SAR crews were better and more capable than those girlie RAF pilots with there sissy NVGs?
Once they had got bored of scaring themselves and realised that operating in their very old-fashioned way was too much like hanging on to outdated traditions - my RAF colleagues went to Gannet to teach them NVG

The RN SAR boys sucked the hind tit when it came to the introduction of technology thanks to their leadership. The RAF were way ahead with NVG and FLIR.
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2021, 20:46
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
Posts: 1,468
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
Originally Posted by [email protected]
... ... The RAF were way ahead ....
Yes, I'm sure we'd never have guessed, Crab! Thanks for that update from the front line of inter-service rivalry.

Returning to the Irish question, is it just coincidence that the Air Corps are operating smaller helicopters?
jimf671 is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2021, 22:09
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downeast
Age: 75
Posts: 18,297
Received 521 Likes on 217 Posts
Smile

Crab dear boy.....The Navy has traditions....the RAF has habits as it is still too young to have formed true traditions.
SASless is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2021, 08:52
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
Ah SAS, but one can change a habit when it is no longer appropriate or suitable - far less so when tradition is involved
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2021, 08:53
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,354
Received 641 Likes on 280 Posts
Jimf671 - I still work in an (ex) tri service environment so banter and inter-service rivalry is just part of normal working routine
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2021, 12:56
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Never Never Land
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Statement from MRI Facebook page:

Mountain Rescue Ireland
Statement on the Mountain Rescue Ireland's submission to the IRCG with reference to the helicopter provision for the Irish State.

Who are we?
We are an organisation comprising 11 mountain rescue teams, made up exclusively of 400 trained volunteers.
Our rescue teams respond to requests for emergency assistance on every mountain on the island of Ireland both north and south 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In 2019 - 14,444 volunteer hours were spent on 345 rescue callouts.
In 2020 – 9,695 volunteer hours (due to infection control) were spent on 330 rescue callouts.
In Ireland we work with our emergency partners from An Garda Siochana, PSNI, the Irish Coast Guard and the National Ambulance Service to rescue those that have been lost and injured on our hills and mountains. Sadly, on occasions we return loved ones who have passed away to their families.
We are a charity company limited by guarantee.

What do we do?
We serve our communities by:
· Encouraging and assisting in the formation, training and development of mountain rescue teams.
· Promoting mountain safety and awareness.
· Assess the needs and requirements of mountain rescue services in Ireland.
Mountain Rescue Ireland is a proud member of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue ICAR

Our partners.
We are proud to work alongside our emergency service partners in the Irish Coast Guard, CHC Helicopter Crews and the Irish Air Corps. There is no doubt that the exceptional levels of cooperation and collaboration that exist has saved lives.
Any attempt by external commentators to fracture/damage that relationship is an attempt to diminish our ability to serve our communities. We will not allow that to happen.

The Report.
Mountain Rescue Ireland was invited by Irish Coast Guard in 2019 to provide input to an expert group to review IRCG helicopter rescue service for the Irish State.
Mountain Rescue Ireland provided input in a report format based on helicopter operations from a mountain rescue perspective.
Mountain Rescue Ireland are fully aware that those involved in managing the procurement / tender process have to take a wide range of factors into account including those of multiple stakeholders, a wide range of international treaties as well as ensuring best value for the taxpayer.
MRI's input into the report has been leaked and is being used selectively by others to suit another agenda. MRI are concerned that this misrepresentation of its position creates the risk of damaging excellent relationships that exist within the Irish SAR community and would call on those parties to stop mis-representing MRI's position.
MRI has not and will not play any part in furthering the agenda of those behind this unhelpful, ill-considered act. We hope that those whose interests are not aligned with this will reflect and re-evaluate where their interests lie. We will continue working AS A TEAM with our SAR partners and rescuing those who find themselves in need of our help.

On behalf of:
The Board of Mountain Rescue Ireland
The National Executive Committee of Mountain Rescue Ireland
The Teams of Mountain Rescue Ireland.
Idlestop is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2021, 14:03
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Den Haag
Age: 57
Posts: 6,283
Received 344 Likes on 192 Posts
these aircraft are less-than-optimal for use as a mountain rescue platform in the tight confines of mountain valleys and summits with complex air- currents
You would think they are talking about the difference between a B747 and a C152, not a couple of metres (ok. 4.22m) between an S92 and AW139
212man is offline  
Old 27th Jun 2021, 16:57
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Is it just me or are they crying victim . They wrote the report , they haven’t retracted it and are claiming they are being misrepresented .

Heli crews now know the truth and still have to work with these gortex warriors.
Franks Town is offline  
Old 28th Jun 2021, 07:17
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lost again...
Posts: 904
Received 122 Likes on 57 Posts
Originally Posted by Franks Town
Is it just me or are they crying victim . They wrote the report , they haven’t retracted it and are claiming they are being misrepresented .

They wrote input for the report and they stand by that input. What they are claiming is that people with a separate agenda are selectively quoting from that input, without full context, in order to further a different agenda. I would not call that "playing victim".

Your "Gortex Warrior" comment shows exactly why they are right to be worried about the effect of this selective use of information.

OvertHawk is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.