Solent CG SAR Helicopters

RichardTaylor

RichardTaylor

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From my home I have a clear view of the SAR shed for the Solent CG Helicopters, and watched with interest the arrival and commission of the new Augusta choppers.

However it seems the chopper of choice is the old Sikorsky. The new ones being rarely used. I had expected to see the Sikorsky choppers being retired by now, however it seems the Augusta is perhaps not up to the job or having teething problems?

Anyone in the know? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
WB (the S61N) is currently being flown by Bristow Irish crews whilst the old Solent Bristow crews complete their conversion courses onto the Augusta.
The Augusta is operational at Portland, although not based there - for the forseable future it will be based at Lee and is flown to Portland at the start / end of cover (Portland has only ever been a daylight cover station).
CG104 (the Solent helo) will come into service fully as soon as the crew are fully qualified on it.
As it happens, the new Augustas are performing brilliantly but are very different beasts to their predecessors.
 
No, the pilots down here can fly in all weathers and all conditions.

No electronics needed - the dope on the rope is just dangled until he yells "ouch", then altitude is adjusted...

(Now runs for cover)
 
The 193's are at Portland. One is fully trained and operational. The other is working up.

Around the first week of July the transition will be complete and everyone will go back to the right place. The Solent 193 will then be based at Lee and the S61's will fly away.

Nothing wrong with the 193, it is just a transitional arrangement and more convenient for the change-over.
 
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WB (the S61N) is currently being flown by Bristow Irish crews whilst the old Solent Bristow crews complete their conversion courses.

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I did giggle when a thick Ulster accent reported the helo as being over Bangor Regis........
 
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No, the pilots down here can fly in all weathers and all conditions.

No electronics needed

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You fly in fog with no electronics?

Incidently I notice one was flying lowish East of Selsey Bill for quite some time this evening. What was it all about?
 
Like I say, when the winchman screams, you're too low /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Don't know what the Selsey one was - if it was an Augusta, then it was a training flight. Otherwise, given the recent row on here about maydays I wouldn't dare tell anyone anyway incase some barrack room lawyer told me off for it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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Otherwise, given the recent row on here about maydays I wouldn't dare tell anyone anyway incase some barrack room lawyer told me off for it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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That's the internet!

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Thanks for the info. I was not suggesting that the new Augusta Helo was a problem, it is just that from my home we watch the CG Helo with great interest and noticed that the Augustas are not flying as regularly from Lee as they were a couple of months ago.

It was also noted on the BBC South report when they revealed the Augustas that the pilots had a great affection for the Sikorsky.

Also the Augustas reverberate through the house more than the Sikorsky despite being smaller and supposedly quieter.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
On chatting to a very nice CG man on Poole Town Quay on Sunday it transpires that crew are still being trained on the Augusta. Also it is planned for the Sikorsky to remain in use until it is 100% proved that the Augusta is "fit for purpose" at which time she will be retired and her call sign will be transfered to one of the new ones.
 
Just a point of order Channelyacht, all the crews are now employed by CHC and not Bristows. WB is still owned by Bristows though.

Also they haven't yet invented a helicopter that can fly in all conditions. There are some that can fly in almost all conditions, but as far as I know the 139 isn't one of them. OK perhaps I am being pedantic, since the 139 will fly in most of the conditions the south coast can throw at it. Except maybe fog.
 
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Paximoon,

Are the new aircraft flying at night yet (operationally as opposed to training)?

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We have only seen them flying in the evenings on what I believe were training flights.
 
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