I would not be at all surprised if Marignane were beavering away designing a specialist SAR version of the 225.

Is that one you can stand up in?

Have I missed it? I can't see any reference to training locations in the DfT's documents. Without a common training location for the provision of introductory and conversion training, you'll end up with different interpretations of SOPs, different kit and consequently, different levels of service at the various flights. Surely the aim is to eradicate that.

Vie, why? We haven't managed it in the last 70 years so why start now;)

TOTD - Chiv would only refuel at Culdrose if their cab was already on a job and another long-ranger in the SW came up. Normally our long-rangers are West of Ireland and require refuelling at Castletown Bere.

TC - just because you like it there doesn't mean everyone else has to suffer:E The truth hurts;)

...or they didn't have an aircraft, or there was only one job but it was beyond the range of a Mk 5.

I'm well aware that this doesn't happen often, but my original point stands that there seems little point moving the SAR unit 'inland' from Culdrose to Newquay. Or am I missing something?

Hey Pink Panther, Ireland can afford twice the amount of s92's than they have oredered for SAR, did'nt they just get 7 billion form the UK taxpayer?

TOTD, what would be more interesting is how the RN would try to 'control' operations on the airfield by a civilian unit - I suspect the extra flexibility of Newquay (or other location) would make operating away from Culdrose more attractive. Not to mention CU's poor weather factor.

Crab

What poor weather factor?

Culdrose is fantastic for rotary, and has two brilliant fall back options, Falmouth docks and Penzance for the truly bad days. One of them will always be an option.
Never ever had to divert in a helicopter from Culdrose, and only once fixed wing despite launching in red as a red thing countless times on SAR shouts.

Crab

We were controlled by the RN at Lee-on-Solent in the early days of the CG SAR in the late 80's. (ATC and airfield movements that was). There were no real problems there.

Obviously the "shouts" were controlled/co-ordinated by the CG

Just a thought Tourist - the Penzance helicopter facilities will surely all too soon become part of Sainsburys car park. Whilst I enquired here about the Culdrose SAR facility moving to Newquay I greatly admire the work 771 have done and would prefer it to remain at CU as the base has served us well.
I hear today from a mate in North Devon that Nick Harvey M.P. is suggesting in the North Devon Journal that once SAR is privatised the Chiv unit could move to Exeter or some other location.

With all due respect to the MP, many bases could be used and I doubt he has any knowledge of the matter, just a keeness to have his name in the press.

Why would they want to move to Exeter with a relatively new hangar etc. being turned over to ??? when Portland closes??:confused::confused::(
3D.

Further stuff:

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...60-sarh-6.html

gapSAR
 

Not long now before the announcement. Actually quite excited.

Will we know tomorrow or not? It's all very quiet.:E

The winners may have been notified late last week. My money is on Chc lost the lot.

With seven UK SAR configured platforms already in place, partly paid for and doing the job very well (or so I hear), I would have thought the least risk solution would be to snopake the Interim SAR contract and insert GAP-SAR on the header and keep going, so it will be interesting to see which operator and choice of platform(s) is/are selected.

How much money are you placing on CHC losing the lot? PM me for odds because I'll be happy to take your bet.

"seven UK SAR configured platforms already in place"
Aren't four of them earmarked for eventual transfer to Ireland?
3D

And Sikorsky are ready to supply 4 more brand new SAR fit S 92A.
High fives in Houston anyone?

If I were a betting man an each way bet might be the safer option.

You dont need the headache of 2 operators, particularly 1 with a goverance issue has not been cleared up yet. Although they have been allowed bid. Most likely to keep the other 2 bidders honest.

Bremen, mark my words, the CHC issue will NEVER be resolved and will be kicked into the long grass forever. Too embarrassing for the government.

Much more exciting is to watch how the 'competitors' align themselves with eachother to get the job done. Now who is going to jump into bed with CHC at this stage of not knowing what might happen to them.

Looks like your drum will have to roll a while longer:). So, no word today:confused: all quiet from the usual suspects:oh:

Anyone heard anything yet? A mate tells me that the applications by potential bidders to play in the big competition had to be in yesterday. Wonder who has applied?:oh:

MAIN 2015-2026

-Ministerial Statement
Search and rescue helicopters - News - Department for Transport

-Online publication of process
UK Search & Rescue Helicopter Service - Publications - Department for Transport

-Contract Notice
Service contract - 377518-2011 - TED Tenders Electronic Daily

-Events
Tuesday 10 Jan 2012: "Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate".

BBC News - Key date for search and rescue helicopter bidders

"Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates": not nominated in the notice. Just less than a month later for the Gap contract, so perhaps expect mid to late February. Perhaps the bidders will be known before that date but perhaps not.



GAP 2013-2017

-Ministerial Statement
Search and Rescue Interim Contract - News - Department for Transport

-Contract Notice
Service contract - 225062-2011 - TED Tenders Electronic Daily

-Type of Process
"Accelerated negotiated procedure" resulting form an "Emergency need". The
MCA believed to be still making it up as they go along.

-Events
A contract award is expected to occur this month: January 2012. An announcement is expected through the usual channels of a ministerial statement and a DfT news release. February wouldn't surprise me though.

-Problems
Well, time obviously, since this is an emergency procedure. There are also clues in some quarters that the key techical requirements are similar to the current 2007 contract. (If you have any plans to break your leg, in the extreme north or on the south coast, then try to do it during daylight hours.)

BBC News - Search and rescue contractors face night goggle issue



REGS

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP999.pdf

http://easa.europa.eu/certification/.../JAR-OPS-3.pdf

2012-01-16 " ... an announcement in the coming weeks"

decision made for gap SAR..official declaration beginning of feb.:(

and the winner(s) is(are).........?

...an in-house bid from the current RAF SARF Cdr! :D

...using super-annuated Pumas, presumably?:eek:

Bristow have got the Northern flights and CHC have kept the southern ones. Recently announced.

Information from ex-colleagues at the coal face as they say

Wiretensioner

CHC will keep their AW139's for their southern contract but anyone know if Bristow bid S-92's or 225's for Scotland?

So to put it simply:

England - CHC?
Scotland - Bristows?

I hope CHC go down the pan. To the guys/girls in the SAR Scotland if it wasn't for you and your can do attitude the contract would have failed long ago. Good luck with the future and possible tx to Bristows.

92's

Wiretensioner

Any news on the colour scheme's? They staying the same or changing?

As for Bristows, good shout on their part, with the Scatsta operation fully S92, then an additional base at Sumburgh will prove to come in handy!

"additional base at Sumburgh will prove to come in handy!"
Eoin had better get the old hangar unlocked.:D
Or are Bristow going to take on the CHC hangar. Yes, I know it's a bit early for that sort of decision but....?
3D

Didn't the Coastguard pay for the refurb and "upgrades"? I though that was the plan originally................... ah........ I see my mistake...... originally.

NVM :P

Si

So the "English" bases had nothing to do with it? I thought Coastguard SAR was British, or has Alex Salmond sneaked something past the Scottish electorate already?

Glad to see engineering and pilots mentioned here holding it all together.

All SAR crewmen go home as you seem to be surplus to requirement :ugh:

Stinking (sorry normal) attitude :ok: