I understand that the decision has now been made to close Boreham and move the aircraft temporarily to Lippits Hill. If we ever had a shadow of doubt that the lunatics were running the asylum they must now all be gone! What chance for the guys and girls on the ground now in Cambs, Suffolk, Norfolk and even Essex? This makes the decision to close Wattisham even more bizarre and shows yet again an arrogance not to listen to those that might just know what they are talking about. Lets hope that the PCCs from these forces ask difficult questions and bring this three ringed circus to an end.

The move, I understand from someone outside NPAS, is on April 20.

I have asked NPAS whether there is an issue adding the additional aircraft hours to Lippitts Hill [IL] as I thought there was an 'agreement' in place to limit the aircraft numbers and hours. I may be wrong. So far that enquiry is being blanked.

The move is about gravel. The control tower is going as they have run out of other places to dig gravel from on the site. Locals are after saving the 1940s concrete airfield market letters so there is not expected to be anything but dust there quite soon.

Question: Why, at the start of this 'PLAN' did NPAS intend to leave Boreham for Southend?

Did they know this day was coming and simply failed to plan for it?

Retaining Wattisham for a year or so until the fixed wing was ready and operational would have made sense. But then I do not hail from Wakefield.

The support of East Anglia at night now requires a fly in from either London or Husbands Bosworth. There are no night fuelling options closer than Lippitts Hill. [I refer you to night noise and the alleged agreement above].

No building has yet commenced at the Lippitts Hill replacement at North Weald so that site is a minimum of 3 months away - nearer 8 based on how long to took to sort Doncaster [footings January 2017 and final handover some time after my visit on 27 September]. So NW could be early 2019 on that basis.

Doncaster still has not had the 'pressure' of actually operating anything!

Re-arrange these words into a well known phrase or saying: up, a, couldn't, piss, in, brewery, arrange, a. :ugh::ugh::mad:

Perhaps, the time has come for strong leadership.

Would it not be better, for everyone, to just accept the inevitable, and close all of the units?

Just decide that the the Police in England and Wales do not have Air Support, like they don't have many other things that Police in other countries have?

Instead of this fannying around pretending it's all good, and super efficient, just stop doing it. Wouldn't that make the savings calculated so far, seem like chicken feed?

As spending less money on Air Support seems to be what's driving this whole project, it is surely time to move up a gear and do that properly. West Yorks could keep one helicopter for the whole of England, so they still provide the potential for a service, for almost no cost, but retain the need for execs as well as a few cops and pilots.

One aircraft for the whole country, just like that big country to the north of England.

Just to update on the closure of Boreham. Message just in from NPAS.

It appears NPAS have managed to hold the gravel company off so the move on April 20 is now cancelled.... or at least on-hold. That should hopefully see them through to North Weald opening (and overcome the fury of the neighbours at Lippitts Hill).

At least until the next cricis!

The question from me, is: Who audits the NPAS? (Financially and more importantly Operationally)?

It strikes me this is all about smoke and morrors?

Well TC - do your homework, why don't you?

National Police Air Service needs urgent reform

And then read the actual report:

Planes, drones and helicopters: an independent study of police air support

And here's the poison chalice:

National Police Aviation Project Manager


How can one improve performance when the last 6 years has seen streamlining of a once comprehensive force, down to the bare bones - if there is absolutely NO money available?:rolleyes:

TC - They're obviously in a hurry: applications close on Easter Monday, they're shortlisting on Wednesday and interviewing on Thursday. I know that you describe it as a poison chalice but there are one or two people who could take this on and make a real difference. Hopefully this is a chance for someone to save air support.

Reading the advert smacks of being written for just one individual !

MaxR - are you familiar with what has happened over the last 6 years? :ugh:

PanEuro - concur.

TC - I am aware of what has happened and of the HMICFRS report which appears to be the driver for this new post. I cannot believe that what has happened so far can be allowed to continue and so am optimistic, perhaps naively, that it isn't too late for air support to be saved.

PanEuro - I agree with you that it appears to be written for the person they've already selected but that shouldn't stop you applying and giving them a surprise.

MaxR - you're obviously a glass half full person.

Let's put personalities to one side here (even though we all know the Chief Operating Officer NPAS is to blame).
The damage has been done. Aircraft have been chopped, Bases have been closed. There is NO going back because to improve on this situation requires money and buckets full.
The government are not going to reverse their mandate - which is to streamline the force and save money, is it?

Therefore, I ask you/anyone: What can be done by Cambs (Chair of NPCC Air Support) to ameliorate the situation when the problem is response times predominently?:rolleyes:

I am a glass half full person but even I recognise that a part-time project manager post will not be the solution but it could be the start of someone intelligently defining the problem rather than continuing to destroy air support while pretending all is rosy. If someone could stand up, admit the way that it's been done was a balls-up, state that they were strapped for cash and would have to make do for a while and then come up with a strategy to use the current resources whilst looking to build on that in the future, that would be a start.

There must be ways to use what is currently in place more effectively, there must be ways to build a better future. The problem with getting NPAS right was never a matter of not having access to good ideas but more a matter of those in charge believing they had more knowledge and competence than they did.

20 hours a week? Obviously not that important.

That report shows that many of the concerns voiced here some long time ago were totally justified.

i.e. seems that it's been acknowledged that it's a complete shambles*.

*Other descriptions are available. :mad:

They want to recruit a CAA form 4 holder and pay them £24,000 a year................good luck with that!

It's probably intended as a top-up to the pension of the person they've already selected - or am I now being overly cynical?

No - It comes with the Job!

TF

As an ex Wattisham driver I could hazard a guess as to who would be in the frame for the job.

Hmm, the job is down my neck of the woods...not bad for 20 hours a week lol. Hell I could add that to my full time running a business.

In an ideal world be nice if Wyton got an a/c back since 2012/13 we have been relying on the charity of the Wattisham and Borehamwood.

What happened to the super duper plan to relocate both 135 to a new facility at Honington to cover 3 counties?

cheers