NPAS - The Resurgence
 

Sloppy Link
I am supportive of police aviation but am deeply unhappy at the way it appears to have been emasculated in some respects by the advent of NPAS. I accept that budget cuts necessitated streamlining and amalgamating the independent services operating around the country. That doesn't mean I agree with what has been done, hence the title. It is early days yet and it is going to take time before a new thread can be started called 'NPAS - The Resurgence'.

Perhaps the future will lead to a unified emergency air service capable of dealing with policing, search and rescue, medical services, border enforcement and any other matters where aircraft are the most efficient means of dealing with a given situation. We used to be able to rely on the military for a lot of that stuff, but they too have been hung out to dry in the interest of balancing the books.

Will he also now be cancelling the NPAS Photo competition ? :rolleyes:

Nail

The NPAS model would work well if it didn't actually have crews or aircraft, just HR, quality control a dispatch centre and the SMT.

I hear that two Chief Cons were flown down to London last week at very short notice. :E

Was that by an NPAS aircraft?

I wonder if they were going down to judge the Photo Competition ? ;)

Or maybe to discuss the latest Base closures :eek:

On 3rd June NPAS "God" A/Supt. Watson Tweeted :

"Look out for the NPAS photo competition on Twitter #NPASphotos.
Follow NPAS bases closing date 30/06/15"

Does that mean the Photo Competition closed on 30th June,
or that there were even more Bases closing on that date :\ ! ?

It's easy to make ambiguous posts on Twatter
when there are only 140 characters available for each post :oh:

Nail

Nothing as frivolous as that. :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0639jpl
 

Radio 4 Investigating shift workers. What is better for your health 12 HR shifts, 4 days 4 off, 4 nights 3 off or 2 days 2 lates 3 off?

yme

4 4 4 3 if you wish to live a long prosperous life..

i did 2 days 2 nights 4 off for several years. Looks like NPAS are likely to adopt the same pattern. I look forward to it. Best shift pattern i ever worked

yme - Interesting programme, for every 10 years you do on nights the brain ages by an additional 6 1/2 years. I did 15 years on nights so that means my brain is nearly as old as you. ;-)

Now the govermint have removed the balls, can we finally have a winch fitted to all para public choppers?:E

J.A.F.O.
True, but not as wise.😊

A very infrequent visitor here, but someone has caught my eye.

Someone with 71 posts, in less than a year, the vast majority of which simply slag off police aviation. Who claims to have 35 years experience on Robinsons (all paid for himself?) and perhaps B206. Who explains his relevant knowledge:
Probably turned down by the military, and or turned down by police aviation for lack of suitability?

Take a long hard look at yourself Romeopapa, and ask yourself why you have so much to say on this subject? Wannabe? Never quite was? Apparently not a UK taxpayer.

Though he seems to spend some time reading my home newspaper, I'll prefer the views of those who have both seen and done the job, with whom I share some similar experience.

yme - Couldn't disagree. :}

I was briefed that the P68R was not cleared for icing conditions but it was hoped it would be in the future, main problm seemed to be power... anti icing on, role equipment off...:(

It did look very nice going circling my house the other day though...

Halfpenny Green
 

Overheard the other day, the NPAS helicopter has departed the field for good, is that the case?
Bit early?

YME,
Yes and yes. :(

Forty,
A little unexpected or been on the cards for a while?
:(

YME,
Wasn't supposed to be until 1st Jan according to the plan.......
...........but no plan survives first contact. :sad:

Perhaps they decided to call it a day early, rather than prolong the agony. :(

Cumbria Police to use UAVs:
HeliHub UK ? Cumbria Police to use UAVs

Good enough reason, I suppose:

They need names for two drones?

How about:

"Silkpurse" and "Sowsear" ?

:rolleyes:

NPAS
 

Does anyone know what the min RVR a Vulcanair P68R can take off or land in?

BC

Never thought fog was particularly heavy, thick perhaps(like some at NPAS it seems), but not heavy.:hmm:

:D :rolleyes:

Ever tried lifting it?
:ok:

TC,

NPAS 47 will still be based in S. Wales.

It seems very clear from the press release above that the FW aircraft will be all weather 24/7. Should it turn out not to be the case then surely the West Yorkshire P&CC and NPAS Accountable Officer will need to explain to the public why their money has been wasted?

BC

No, but I've blown it away without much trouble. :)

The Hawarden aircraft will cover Wales. Well the northern part at least, backed up by the one at Barton. If it can get a refuel somewhere. :hmm:

Nowt wrong with a seagull with a Go Pro strapped to its' leg. All weather capability and no one is too upset if it crashes.

Will the PCC still be in power by end of the contract?

There is a story on the web this morning suggesting that he will be bidding for PCC next time around...

Whether he has the right to say 'no deal' is probably the question though. It seems that all parties have to toe the line on police aviation and go NPAS.

Good for him. :ok:

I love the last paragraph that states that NPAS has no legal identity and that all assets are owned and controlled by West Yorkshire. Now that is interesting...

NPAS Annual Report
 

I seem to recall its not due until after the birthdate of NPAS.... so October.

I am sure it was October last year so I think we might expect it to be next week to coincide with the NPAS launch of the revamped EC135T2 G-SURY/G-POLB at Helitech.

Giving everyone added value at the show.

Who knows it may be the only added value on offer if the Helitech thread is to be believed.

Interesting. Last year's report included the Revenue and Capital contributions from each Force. This year's doesn't.

This years report is significantly different in structure than last years, and thinner, a lot less detail. You can't really compare year on year performance if this report writing strategy continues.....also what is interesting is the absence of good work done at the coal face.....
As the overall budget reduces is the management proportion also going to reduce or are we going to have police aviation like the navy, more admirals than ships.....
Meanwhile Forces are procuring UAS's and are generally dissatisfied with the level of service vs investment......
I think NPAS will soon be put out to tender.....maybe tagged onto the SAR contract.

Mighty Gem wrote:

That'll no doubt be a result of the information being used on here.

Asking the Forces that had joined NPAS for the FY 2013/14, FOI requests have given me the following information:

Total paid for Air Support said Forces for the full FY prior to them joining NPAS: £36,087,787
Total Revenue Contributions for FY 2013/14: £27,778,351
Total Revenue Contributions for FY 2014/15: £32,657,594

On top of that are various Capital Payments, in addition to the Revenue Payments, which for 2013/14 were some £9,000,000. These are deducted from Forces annual Home Office grant.

I asked the same Forces how much the were paying for the current FY. Eight Forces failed to reply or didn't know, but of those who did reply, the vast majority said that they were paying the same as last year.

So, not sure where all these savings are occurring, but it doesn't seem to be at individual Force level.

It will be interesting to see what they pay next year when there are on 15 aircraft left.

Dave, you really do have too much time on yer hands.