Tsunami Disaster - Off To Help
 

Just wanted to wish all members here a Happy New Year since today is the last day of 2004.

On Tuesday am off to hook up with a couple of AS355F2s in Phuket, Thailand. Doing double duty to help as crewie for about a week, and also put together a story about civvy operators supporting the relief effort.

Should be a very sobering experience but at least I can do something useful to help.

Ned :(

Best of Luck Ned, good on ya.

I have been looking into it aswell, if you hear of anyone asking for extra pairs of hands, all you have to do is post it here and no doubt you will get an overwhelming response!

Am going Tuesday with two 407s in IL76 to set up in Aceh, Indonesia, for AirServ.

Anyone got any gen / advise / contacts / recommendations ?

We are taking everything from tents to toilet roll with, assuming there is nothing there....

Make sure you are taking your own JetA1 or can get some shipped there. MHS are sending an S-61N but at this stage there is no Jet fuel there. If you want Rahmats numbers at MHS so you can try and work something let me know as I think they might try and barge it up there from Malaysia.

PR

Good luck Ned. Would love to hear some updates when (if) you get time. And also goaround7.

I have 355 time, am immunised, passported, my helmet is on fire and I would love to help if I can, and I am sure posting a plea here will get 20,000 other pilots/crewman/engineers/medics etc putting their hands up too.

All the best guys.

Sat waiting. ready to go if needed. Any heli (within reason).
12,000+hrs plenty of overseas experience.Can ruster up several others to carry the bags. ATPL(H) IR.
Good luck to those who go, you will have the force with you (pprune).
Any problems with the operation/aircraft or questions use the forum. we are all here to help.

God speed.

G/Arrow

Ditto, same details but only 7000 Hrs at least 2500 of which over the indo jungle. Just say the word.

Thanks guys,

IL76 bringing about 60,000 litres of Jet A-1 and possibly nipping over to Djibouti to fetch Puma as Yemen is the only country en route from Sudan that is still saying no to overflight for getting it to Sri Lanka. Last ditch attempt with US State Dept assistance at 0400 UTC today (1st).

Will try to update from Thailand staging post for all interested. Once in Summatra, don't know what we'll find.

Phoenix, please send numbers - maybe they can help us or vice versa at some point. We will have sat phone.

Cheers

Goaround - Check your PMs.

PR

Thanks Phoenix,

Will try to make contact when we arrive, Wednesday latest.

What is the range of an S61 ?

Does anyone have any feedback on specific requirements yet ? Be useful to know what are the urgent needs. We are bringing a doctor, generators, a pick up truck, 1000 litre trailer bowser and light sling gear.

Too late to be looking for fishermen who need winching ?

Probably no use for a Night Sun or infra red ? Any reports of oil spills which we can tackle with rotor and or fixed wings ?

What about other types of spraying eg. for disease prevention ?

Which diseases can be expected ?

Reaching here, but any info from anyone useful at this stage...

Goaround - From what I have been able to gather from contacts up there over the last few days there doesnt seem to be any fuel spills, or at least not in the major areas.

Would take the Infra Red if you can as there are still a lof of villages that they still havent even got to yet, let alone see if there are people still alive, although it gets slimmer by the day.

Not sure of range of S-61N but no doubt some of the CHC or Bristow guys on the forum could answer that one. Would bring plenty of sling gear as no doubt slinging supplies to outlying areas cut off will be a priority. Disease I would say Malaria, Typhoid and possibly Cholera as thats what I have been told to be on the lookout for.

One thing you might want to do is pack as much child formula as possible. I have picked up a few boxes today and will take it with me. Lot of young kids up to 12-18mths old that are now orphans. Just a suggesion. Whatever sweet and sugar based stuff you can pack in spare areas on the helos and gear will go down a treat as they have nothing there at the moment.

Have sent your contact details to Rahmat via text message.

Cheers

Ned

Hi,
Willing to volunteer to drive a S-61 in Sumatra if needed. UK ATPL H and A. 6000 hrs total time, 3000 s-61, sling load experience, 5 years civvie SAR on S-61. Last Heli flight 4 years ago.

Currently operating Plank Hajj flights, but end up in Batam, Indonesia on the 15th of Jan and free for up to 2 months and will work for free of course.

Who's sending the S-61? Any contact info appreciated.

Cheers

Jemy

Jemy - Its Malaysian Helicopter Services S-61N. Drop me a PM and will give you cellphone number of their Commercial Director who is an ex Bristow trained Captain and general allround great guy.

Dont know if they need pilots but its worth touching base.

PR

I'll join the list.

Plenty of bush time and multi-eng time.
Longline experience as well and disaster relief in remote areas... done the floods and fires before.
Bucket and Longline time +150ft. Can crew and work a hoist as well. Also been Loader, Car Mechanic and Raft Guide in the past life.
I have oodles of 3rd world experience and am at a loose end while Canada is under snow.
Ned if you know of anyone who needs a bush driver or multi-eng driver to help - please email.

[email protected]

Good on ya and God Speed.

Steve

Jemy,

Have sent you a PM with what I need from you asap. If you can get it to me then they want you onboard with the S-61. Confirm you get this. I am out of here on Tuesday and not sure if I will have email access there so please action asap.

Ned

P.S. Any other S-61 drivers out there willing to assist for short periods of time.

Any S-61 Drivers Willing to Assist in Relief - Please Read
 

If there are any S-61 Drivers out there willing to donate some time or at minimal cost for relief operations in Thailand and Indonesia please read the Tsunami thread.

Thanks All,

Ned.

Ned, 2500hrs S76.
No 61 but fast learner. Will cojoe to assist. Its only a 61.....
In NZ and ready to travel immediately, fresh passport and still immunized from EMS work in CA, and PNG op's.

Ned,

The S61N is on the way to Kerteh now from Miri. It will need an engine change as #1 engine has about 60 hours remaining.

Those volunteering for Indonesia pls PM me for further details. I can't thank you guys enough.

There are thousands of tsunami victims out there requiring food and medical assistance.

RH

Phoenix Rising,

I have PM you if you need SeaKing driver. New at this game so not sure if the PM went through as I checked my sent messages and it shows nothing. Let me know if you got my PM please .(when you have the time)

rough translation

Hey Guys - Seems like Rahmat has a Rotorheads handle so please PM him direct. He is Gabra1 as mentioned above.

For those that dont know Malaysian Helicopter Services is a very well run company. The current management, including Rahmat who is the Commercial Director, and a Bristow trained pilot, took them from a deeply indebt company into one that is one of the most respected operators in the Asian region. Their equipment is well looked after and if you can assist them with some flying you will enjoy the time spent there, well as good as it can be in a disaster area.

Thanks again to all of those that can asisst.

Ned