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-   -   Ireland to England in a R22 (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/352296-ireland-england-r22.html)

philbky 25th Nov 2008 10:44

Possibly, but I have sense, see reply #18

Hobbit 25th Nov 2008 12:00

Floppy Link is absolutely correct. I've done the trip lots of times in a Gazelle and the reassuring sight of a ferry is a tonic. For those who like the idea of ditching try the dunker and dinghy training. Even when fully equiped by Her Majesty sea survival is a daunting business.

CarryOnCopter 25th Nov 2008 13:28

Not to dramatic unless something goes wrong which the answers are in the previous post's.

As it's from Ireland go from Carnsor Point on the SE corner of Ireland direct to Haverford West, have done this many times in an R22, about half an hour as posted before.

Apart from all that's gone before do try and get high for radio reception, get's a bit lonely otherwise, if this does happen you can try getting a relay from another aircraft or check in with 121.5 because they seem to be able to get to parts others can't reach, hmm.

Don't think it is all over when you coast in if you are going inland, wx, wx, wx.

Safe trip.

Did I mention wx?

500e 25th Nov 2008 15:33

Follow the Cat, you could try deck landing.:E
http://www.aidan.co.uk/lg/NiBPandOCat7Y17.jpg

Life Jacket, immersion suit and Epirb for me!! been in the water, went overboard from boat, with auto inflate life jacket (Auto inflate a no no in helio\plane) floated around for 20 minutes, would not recommend.

RavenII 25th Nov 2008 16:34

I can't hear that stupid "the heli doesn't know if you are over water..." line anymore.

Fact is: If that engine quits on you over the channel, it will take SAR quite a while to get you out. The water is cold and the waves are not exactly low.

If you want to take that chance, enjoy your flight!

CarryOnCopter 26th Nov 2008 08:34

Well you could have done it by now, all doom and gloom from most. Beg, borrow, steal survival kit, make your plan, check wx suitable, go.

Wx is your number one, did I mention that before??

CVR 26th Nov 2008 08:46

Just book a ferry ticket, bring the wheels and roll it up the ramp. sit back and enjoy the view, then roll it off the other side. I did it back in the DEC of 88, the weather was crap and i needed to get home. It takes up less space than a car and trailer. I can still see the look on their faces when i landed at the port, and a good one for the bar stool too........:D


Fly Safe and Enjoy

[email protected] 26th Nov 2008 11:28

Talk nicely to the ferry companies, they all have nice big landing areas on top of the boats, especially the Fast Cat - get on it just as it leaves, wait until you are the other side, take off and coast in. Voila - sea crossing in an R22 without the exposure (unless of cousre the ferry sinks):)

Ah, one problem - the fast cat might exceed the Vne for an R22:)

500e 26th Nov 2008 12:22

Good thought, Crab, there is always something I forget:E.

lotusexige 26th Nov 2008 14:10

I heard a variation on this story some years back. Someone from the UK had bought a 22 in Ireland and the deal was to include delivery to the UK. When the aircraft arrived with both vendors aboard the guy who had bought it noticed that they did not even have a life jacket between them. When he enquired they told himthat they had simply flown it to the docks and pushed it onto the ferry and reversed the procedure on arrival.

R44-pilot 26th Nov 2008 14:14

LOL, love the idea of pushing it on a ferry with it's wheels! It could be possible if you were good enough friends with port managers or what ever they are.....

Landing on a CAT? don't think i'd have the minerals, even it it was moored up!

I think the ferry routes has to be the best idea, at least they can pluck our cold limp bodys out if we crash near them!

Still, it's been offered to be delivered so I may not need to do the trip anyway, will let everyone know if we do though..........

Thanks for the good suggestions and thanks for the others.... they made me laugh. :ok:

SASless 26th Nov 2008 14:17

Just carry a bar of soap.....no body takes saltwater baths!;)

206 jock 26th Nov 2008 16:35

Here's how one guy did it from the USA...offered to me as an option on a RoRo, but I ended up containerising mine.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...r/DSC00440.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...r/DSC00441.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...r/DSC00446.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...r/DSC00457.jpg

The RoRo was eye-poppingly expensive, though not as expensive as the guy who opted to airfreight a Bell 430 to Europe in December last year to make sure he got it here before the Danish VAT window closed....and then they extended the availability!

For Chrissakes, I hope they fly the damn R22 across! Can anyone quote the last time an R22 had a mid-flight engine failure without some operator-induced screw up being a factor. For sure, do a bloody good A check before you set out, but do it for the adventure!

helimutt 14th Dec 2008 09:13

Ok look, I need some night hours, spend lots of time flying over water anyway. Tell you what, you pay for my airfare over there and i'll fly it back for you one night. I have my own survival suit and not really bothered about the water bit anymore. :ok:

chopjock 14th Dec 2008 10:17

how is it possible to fly a Robo over the Irish sea at night? What do you use for visual references?
Last time I did it (in a 500)I was feet wet for 45 mins in daylight.

Bladecrack 14th Dec 2008 15:07


Ok look, I need some night hours, spend lots of time flying over water anyway. Tell you what, you pay for my airfare over there and i'll fly it back for you one night. I have my own survival suit and not really bothered about the water bit anymore.
Are you serious Helimutt? If so, you must be pretty desperate for night hours.. I fly an IFR twin (float equipped with raft ELTs and Lifejackets) across the North Channel (Irish Sea) several times a week, day and night and I wouldn't even consider doing a night crossing in an R22 at this time of year.

Lately the freezing level has been between 1000 & 2000ft, and while the METARS for say, Belfast and Prestwick can on occasion seem quite good, I often encounter low cloud, mist, rain showers, turbulence etc, over the sea, meaning I have to go IMC for periods. If you go low level you will have no comms with any ground stations, and little chance of a visual horizon at night. It sounds highly risky to me.

BC

helimutt 14th Dec 2008 16:44

I also get to fly the old multi eng, IFR equipped, floated, lifejacketed, liferafted type too, but come on! What price adventure??? This would be for kicks man! :E:E:ok:

Bladecrack, any jobs going?;)

Gordy 14th Dec 2008 18:46

206Jock had the right idea--albeit a little overkill---just land it on your pickup and drive it on the ferry, we used to do it daily to get the thing back to the office in town, R-22 will do the same:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...t/scan0022.jpg

bolkow 14th Dec 2008 23:33

Irish helicopters have a pad just a mile from Rosslare off the main wexford road if you wanted to top up before you go, by prior arrangement. Its used for the lighthouse releif chopper.
From rosslare I think you steer 125 degrees and that will take you past tuskar rock for the welsh coast, and then as someone already said haverofrdwest would be the soonest after coasting in, approx 15 or so miles inland.

bolkow 14th Dec 2008 23:36

Irish ferries actually have a helipad on the deck aft of the funnel, its able to take a sea king I beleive.


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