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One of the ex pilots told me the Dauphins were lacking a little (weight/performance) capacity for what they were doing with them. The normal thing is to upgrade the machines, then load them up with more gear/toys, till they are near the limit again. also What once was “normal” and quite acceptable. (Riding your pushbike at maximum speed bare headed/ flying SE over the city) is now considered out of the question. |
What's the wait on a new AW139? If you ordered one today you'd probably have to wait 2 years to get it.
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Originally Posted by gulliBell
(Post 10152098)
What's the wait on a new AW139? If you ordered one today you'd probably have to wait 2 years to get it.
the issue is role equipment fitout......that’s a mind field area and can take another year including shakeout. the other issue that will probably be an additional delay factor is training to operational status. VPAW has 14 pilots and some 30 aircrew.......this is a considerable number to train up.......and will take about a year at least. Of course some of this can be done concurrently, never the less, I reckon about 2 years from contract signing. VPAW has grown big over the years, it is a 24 / 7 operation and I’m told that it’s primary machine does a 100hrly every week and a half.......!! |
A mate of mine bought a new AW139 and it took 2 years to deliver from time of order....I think it was optioned out to about $20m USD. An optioned Police version would probably be north of that. AW139 initial is 2 weeks ground school + a month in the sim, but you do get two initial courses at Leonardo included with each new aircraft purchased. The others have to buy an initial course at $57K AUD each.
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Depends on the clout the successful contractor has with the helo manufacturer as to how quick they can fast track the acquisition.......watch this space once the contract is announced. As to training and level D sim for the 139 (if that’s the aircraft .... nothing confirmed yet)......in this region you have, Toll at Bankstown, Lifeflight in Brissy and Leonardo in KL. if it is the 139 then it’s a 4 week course to get the rating and another 2 weeks for an instructor type endorsement. |
Looks like something is coming... something 'like a 139'.
7NewsMelbourne/status/1011165946726109184 |
$50M doesn't buy a fleet of 139. It buys 2, plus some spares.
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Originally Posted by gulliBell
(Post 10182871)
$50M doesn't buy a fleet of 139. It buys 2, plus some spares.
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Don't need a Blackhawk for police work. Even an A139 is pushing it - the Dauphin was a good size, the BK117 is also good.
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I'm sure the residents of Melbourne would be happy with noisy Blackhawks stooging around the suburbs at night low level, not! The Army Blackhawks were in Perth 2 weeks ago doing just that, I guess having a last hurrah out of Swanbourne with the boys in black.
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If I recall correctly, the civilian version of the Blackhawk (S70i) is certified for fire fighting and currently doesn't have certification to operate over urban/built up areas - which would probably make for a crime spree in Melbourne and increase in convictions in Bendigo......
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https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...f96d2d09f9.jpg
Or something like this? Most modern police helicopter availalbe according various German and American police forces.... |
Plus they wouldn't even know you were there half the time - especially at night.
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King Air 350 rumoured to be one favourite for fixed wing but other rumour is it’s a big Otter |
PC-12 not suitable for Victoria Police? You could buy 4 of those for the price of an AW139. And probably cheaper to operate all 4 PC-12 than an AW139.
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PC-12 hover performance is not that flash...
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The tender states that all FW and RW aircraft need to be ME. My money is on the King Air as well |
Originally Posted by SAR driver
(Post 10184774)
The tender states that all FW and RW aircraft need to be ME. My money is on the King Air as well |
Originally Posted by gulliBell
(Post 10184780)
Oh right, so I guess the WA coppers will now have to follow that lead and sell their PC-12 for something else with more than 1 burner. And as for the whole single engine thing, the RAAF has opted for a single-engine 5th gen fast jet fighter, perhaps they'd better follow the Victoria Police lead as well and toss that idea for a twin. You know, like what they've been doing for past 30 years. But that's a whole different discussion.
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And I would suggest the WA coppers PC-12 is not a military operation. I'm only guessing their operational requirements are similar to Victoria Police (except they need to cover much more ground). So my suggestion is, if the Vics want twin FW, the WA coppers might do the same. The empire always looking for going one bigger and better, right? Now if WA got the same split of GST revenue as the Vics they could probably buy 20 AW139 and have plenty of change left over to pay their drivers $180k per year. That's what AW139 guys are getting now.
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