I wasn't suggesting that VHLD and PHLD are the answer to everything or that solely using automation is way the S92 is flown.

I only aimed to clarify how the S92 maintained position on automatics in SAR AFCS modes. I use VHLD to assist whilst flying night decks as it retains a useful reference point should you lose references on the vessel. It aids to stability ensuring a better service to the WO and ultimately the WM. It is very capable when I've carried out transfers to dinghys or a raft of small vessels when operating above 100ft with no references.

It all adds greatly to safety but I suppose the "I did it manual in a Wessex" attitude will always say how it was so much harder in their day. I wouldn't know, I've only flown over 1000 hours on S92 in SAR and 7000 hours in total so I'm still a young 'un compared to the wise counsel who sit in judgement on here.

I think it's churlish to deny that the S92 is able SAR platform after over 7 years of service and much refinement in all modes of operation.

Well done to you all....first class job. :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOuF...ature=youtu.be

Flounder - I'm not knocking the S92!
It looks lovely (and shiny) and I'd have loved to fly it I'm sure! BTW we didn't fly Wessex 'in manual' like the Whirlwind - THEY had it rough! :ok:

I did my basic SAR training in a Mk7 whirlwind - now that was interesting :p

I once saw a Dragonfly demo a net pick up!:rolleyes:

On the Bristow Sycamore, wooden blades, no hydraulics and spring trim wheels. The pilot operated the winch by means of a mirror. When the winchman hooked up the survivor sometimes it couldn't lift both out of the water.

That's when the winchman stayed in the dinghy, the pilot winched up the survivor who then had to find his own way into the cabin. He would be taken on shore and then the aircraft would return for the winchman.

All on a diet of Avgas.

Sycamore, Dragonfly, Whirlwind, ...
Lots of scope for a UK SAR History thread.

I did search for one but not found.

Any Bristow Manston aircrew around?

My uncle was on ASR HSL's before helicopters! They weren't so good in the mountains though :rolleyes:

It's getting very silly.
 

Oh, so that was your first SAR type - always did wonder....;);)

Sikorsky S-92 G-MCGF made its way from Stornoway to Inverness last week and was flying around the Inner Moray Firth on Friday. It is currently sitting in the new Inverness hangar. :cool:

Looking good to go. :ok:



Based on the presence off the aircraft and the remnants of pallets of building materials, I'd say the roof is fixed. Pity about the insulation material strewn across the area. Hopefully, it is gas-turbine-friendly insulation. :ugh:

Jim

You really just can't help yourself can you. I bet the boys and girls from Inverness can't wait to meet you. :ok:

You're right P3. I can't help myself. It's the training. It makes me a bit FOD-sensitive.

Oh dear P3, did you shoot off at a tangent, jumping to the wrong conclusions?

Jim is rightly concerned that a building site is not a good place to operate helicopters from, especially if your contractors don't understand the importance of keeping the area clean and tidy.

What would those visually-challenged and inept crews and engineers at Inverness do without you?

Hopefully not operate the aircraft until the contractors tidied the mess up;)

This theory is almost inconceivable considering that the crew were mere civilians I grant you. But, maybe, just maybe the engineers and crew considered FOD, did a FOD plod on the dispersal and then moved it away from the hangar to start it up? Now that really is thinking outside of the box - perhaps too far outside.

No doubt you would have cancelled all flying until those damnable trades people had cleaned up every last bit of material while you stood by with your board, wagging finger and disapproving look.

Last words of wit and wisdom to you of course.

au contraire SA - we had a Flt Sergeant to do the clip board and finger wagging duty whilst we drank tea :ok:

Al,
You know where that board would be if you tried that with a bunch of navvies!!:eek:
And when was the last time you saw engineers and crews doing a "FOD PLOD" at a major airport? That is why airports have industrial street/apron sweeping machines. But as the Concorde incident proved, anything can happen.
It becomes second nature, well it did to me and my fellow engineers, to pick up anything on the ramp that may cause damage. When the siren goes off you don't have time for a "FOD PLOD".
3D

Why would you let the building contractors make a mess and then clear it up yourself??? Who would allow a contractor who wasn't 'air-aware' to work in an aviation environment?? It all sounds very professional:(