Not much sign of a 189 yet then???:)

Unfortunately, that aircraft is now not likely to deploy at the start of service at any of the bases that replace military flights.

Eleven S-92A and some AW139s allows Bristow to equip nine bases without rushing the AW189. S-92A will stand in for AW189 in Scotland and AW139 in England and Wales. The original plan for availability levels that used one aircraft per base and spares at strategic locations appears to be back, for now.

AW139 does not fulfil the requirements of a Lot 2 aircraft for number of survivors.

On the plus side, it is looking like the AW189 will enter service fully equipped and certified. And, while we are waiting for the AW189, we still have new aircraft, a new regulatory framework, 78 managed transition aircrew and lots of new role equipment.

It is what it is.

Could have been worse. Could have been a MoD procurement. :E

True Jim...true. In EU land, all prospective governments for the replacement SeaKing (the NH90) are facing revolts or cynicism about the new a/c as it is clearly unfit for purpose. Some countries have rolled over, like the belgians, others are fighting hard to prevent or atleast delay its introduction like the FGN. The practitioners do not want this lame duck but government procurers think otherwise. Meanwhile in the UK, we have the wildcat and the merlin as newcomers and one of those is incapable of being sent front line because of its lack of resiliance against enemy fire and subsequent repair costs. £40 million a pop and used only as a support vehicle???? Good old government.

Bristow have gone from zero to hero in what - 12 months, maybe less. Could you see the MoD doing that - yeah, right:ugh:

There was discussion earlier about the AW139 and unprepared surfaces. Queensland Rescue did a medical call to a farm in Grantham. Interesting landings ;)

https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hp...39&oe=5609EA0F

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...423d5eec4866e6

Janes is reporting that the delay is due to "de-icing issues affecting certification," with EIS pushed back from July to November. As jimf671 has already noted, "This means BHL will instead field the older AW139 as an interim solution when operations at the Manston and St Athan sites commence on 1 July and 1 October, respectively."

I/C

Not sure where you get your info from, but it isn't at Aberdeen.

so what about the trumpet fanfare earlier in the year when the 189 achieved certification for O&G?

More obfuscation because the de-icing wasn't included in that 'certification'?

What about the certification of the SAR modes as that won't have been included in the O&G process?

So the rumour is no NVG capability until September and we know that the 139 doesn't meet the contract spec - any financial penalties being awarded?

Nice pictures John - does the 189 have similar ground clearance issues????? Great choice for a SAR helicopter!

Listed by a spotter.

(On the UK register. Flown by maker at Coatsville over 5 weeks ago. Shown as dereg USA 1st May, for export to the UK.)

A step along the way?


On FIPS, the work is said to be done and the rest is paperwork. The aircraft is now expected to enter service with FIPS. :ok:


The story goes that OpEval reveals no significant issues for AFCS SAR modes and there has only been minor configuration. But is it true? Well, the people pitching that story certainly don't want it to be Groundhog Day?


September? What aircraft? What location? (Doesn't get dark here until August.) :confused:


Don't know. (SEP Field in place. :E)


YES. Note the clearances shown at about 1 min 50s in the following video
https://vimeo.com/127840616
This is GN, which is the first Yeovil-built production AW189 in SAR config that includes the long range tank (that took too long, and was too heavy, and is too close to the ground).

This is an ongoing concern for Land SAR operations. :ugh:


=====================================


There is a report of Richard Parkes (Director, Maritime Operations, MCA) stating November for AW189 in service. That is credible.

I shall put January in my diary, shall I? For Lydd but not Prestwick. :eek:

(Wets finger and holds in the wind.) August 2016 for Inverness? :E

G-MCGK on ADS-B, arr Bristow, Dyce, 1945Z.

All 11 S-92 delivered.

What a pity it was not to be a one type contract, all S92 might even have kept Crab quiet.
Why do I always get that feeling of doom when I see Westland on anything, I wouldn't even buy one of there garage doors:{:{

Six Sea Kings from RNAS Culdrose performed a lap of honor today, ahead of the type's retirement:

Sea King flypast celebrates 76th anniversary of 771 Naval Air Squadron

I/C

Rumour Bristow being extra cheeky and using SAR 92 in North Sea to fly their own engineers out to rigs with U/S oil and gas aircraft on deck.......:=

Are you the same guy that used to hang around outside the butcher's in Orkney?

Well Sumpor (age 4) if I was one of the rig crew and there was a u/s aircraft blocking the helideck which was my preferred method of evacuation sould the rig have a problem then anything that helps clear the blockage must surely be a good thing. I'm sure the same would apply to another operators aircraft whatever the colour.

But if you are age 4 then you would probably not see that :rolleyes:

Providing it wasn't the first standby aircraft then it's not really anyone else's business what they do.

It was. However there are occasions where military cabs are utilised for non-SAR tasks (e.g. compassionate cases).

I wonder how much effort went in to get 6 'S' Mk5 HAR's airborne simultaneously??

Yes. Six working Sea Kings really is news. Are we sure the first one didn't circle round and join the back of the queue?