Better than that, get rid of one of the rear crew and get a sproule net and you are back to Dragonfly days...but saving loads of dosh:hmm:
My three pennnies worth, as an interested outsider now.
3D

Man it all with well meaning amateurs in R22s and we could have a Dad's Army SAR Force:)

Rumor has it that the short list is out... Who got in?

Interesting any link?

Bristow
CHC
and ?? Maybe Draken Airbus or Heli Ops with a bigger backer.

Just been told on the 'QT', by a bloke in the pub (socially distanced) that a new company formed by Wiking Helicopters and BelAir have won it. The decision was based on their extensive knowledge of the sector and reputation for delivering on time.......................................

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....3d683b5383.gif

Based on the plan for notification and the period of the delay at the start of the year, notification of the selection decision to candidates might be tomorrow(-ish).

No updates on the webpage.

Official word is out...

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...2g-june-update

Who is Serco?

https://www.serco.com

A cynic might claim that they are a company designed to siphon off public funds via government contracts.


BTW, EEA Helicopters Operations B.V. = CHC

So is SERCO going a lone or partnered? Is AIRBUS with Draken?

I can only imagine that they have got an aviation partner, at least. But there aren't any press releases or likewise elsewhere on the internet. Maybe this is where Babcock comes in?


Yep. Draken were previous Cobham Aviation Services.

In spite of vast temptation for cynicism it should be recognised that Serco have been doing rotary aviation stuff since they were created out of RCA Service Division UK in the late 80s.

Sercoff air partner
 

Rumour has it it is BIH with their ready-made UK SAR AOC

If so, I hope whoever is making the decisions on awarding contracts looks closely at the levels of service/reliability that they currently achieve on their one SAR contract!

Top of my very short suspect list.

They seem to have a high turnover of personnel

Yes. Engineers and pilots. And a lot of days with 0/2 serviceable.

Obviously this is a rumour network but if the posts are true then good luck to SERCO!

To be fair to BIH, who wants to keep heading to the Falklands....