Eire orders AB139, EC135
 

Rumored by EI-TURKEY over on Jet Blast last night, now confirmed by the Irish Times. 4 AB 139s for troop transport and two EC 135s for training, for delivery from 2005. The S-70 was also in the running. Ireland had originally intended to order 5 S-92s before canning the deal in August 2002 and relaunching the tender.

I/C

It seems strange that they gave the business to the company that publically threatened to sue them just 2 years ago, just for looking at other options.

Makes you wonder if EU politics or threats were involved in this decision.

No, but all helis so far have been from a certain Eurocopter/Aerospatiale connection. Politics within the country etc.
What will be used for training?
Nobody trains on a twin without some single work first.
Date as 2005......... yeah an AB139 more like 2006/2007.

Hedski
...You might want to look at what the German Army do at Buckeburg (sp?). Their initial helicopter trainer is the 135, replaced the Alouette a little while back, although I believe some of the latter were kept until the sim is online.

Never knew that! :O
I stand corrected, but unusual none the less. Suppose FADEC takes care of enough to make initial training easier on a multi.
Why didn't I do my PPL on a twin, oh yeah. DOSH!!!!!!! :{ :{