Messages

16

Irish Air Corps / Re: AW 139 questions

« on: September 12, 2008, 08:05:28 pm »

Good stuff, thanks for the update Frank. You say FLIR balls - does this mean that they are getting more than the one?

Were any FLIR ball(s) delivered for the 135s?

17

Irish Air Corps / Re: AW 139 questions

« on: September 11, 2008, 03:23:37 pm »

Are there any pics of a 139 with the FLIR ball? Had a quick look through the picture database, and couldn't spot one. Thanks

18

Irish Air Corps / Re: Parachute training for pilots

« on: June 21, 2008, 03:32:22 pm »

Thanks for the information guys. Suppose the keep it simple principal is the best bet in this situations...

19

Irish Air Corps / Parachute training for pilots

« on: June 13, 2008, 10:57:10 pm »

I always wondered about this one... do Air Corps pilots, nay pilots of any air arm for those who might know, undertake any sort of parachute training in terms of escape from a/c in distress? What type of parachute is in the seat of the Martin Baker's in the PC-9, and if a pilot did have to eject, are they able to control the parachute in any way after separating from the seat?

20

Irish Air Corps / Re: PC9 Air Firing

« on: June 13, 2008, 10:51:49 pm »

Just looking through last months Aero Sexual Monthly, sorry AFM, and saw an article about the Slovenian PC-9s, which mentioned the Radom ATMs pod which they use to simulate a Sidewinder for air to air training. I think this might have been mentioned on the Irish Military Online board, but just bringing it up here to see if it would be considered of any use to the Air Corps? Granted, if you don't have the real thing, don't bother with this little gizmo, but could it be of any use to the AC?

http://www.radom-aviation.com/ > Projects > ATMs

21

Irish Air Corps / Re: Cn235 Radar System?

« on: June 04, 2008, 09:32:18 pm »

Hi Sousa

Just found this in a back issue of Flying in Ireland (November 2007): the CN 235s will be upgraded with the following kit as part of their €16 million upgrade:

* Telephonics AN/APS 143CVS Ocean Eye radar
* Star Saffire III Electro-Optical FLIR
* Collins HF9000 radios
* RF Espanola TX-ARQ SatCom/HF datalink

There was also mention of some "additional options" which could be fitted in the future - oil slick monitoring kit?

First upgraded plane was supposed to be back in Ireland around November 2007, I assume that it's well back by now? Anyone know how the new kit is performing and when the second one is due to go/return?

Two other questions: was a cockpit avonics upgrade included in this, and was there any consideration/requirement for a structural/powerplant upgrade?

22

Irish Air Corps / Re: PC9 Air Firing

« on: April 06, 2008, 10:03:08 pm »

What is in the photo above is a Canadian Armed Forces raytheon TII Texan or Harvard, not a Pilatus PC9M. The canopy gives it away.

Sorry Claudel, you caught me out there There's a few differences between the PC-9M and Texan/Harvard (not sure of all of them), but I wouldn't think there would be much required to add the capability to the PC-9s. (Hands up in advance if there's more to it than that.)

23

Irish Air Corps / Re: PC9 Air Firing

« on: April 02, 2008, 10:01:48 pm »

Check out the port outer pylon...



http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/at%2D6b%2Dlight%2Dattack/

Always wondered if one of these could be hung off the wing (wasn't sure if there'd be enough space between control surfaces and missile), and for anyone who had the same question, well now it's answered

Not meant to stoke the fires of could they be turned into fighters

24

Irish Air Corps / Happy Christmas Frank

« on: December 28, 2007, 03:46:49 pm »

Happy Christmas to the forum users and in the AC, and best wishes for 2008. Good luck with the new site Frank, thanks for all your work on the current one this year!

25

Irish Air Corps / AW 139 questions

« on: December 28, 2007, 03:40:12 pm »

Thanks for the info, Old Redeye. Hopefully the new year will see them settling in further and their capabilities being developed further.

Another point: There were some structural issues with one or more of the 139s a few months back, anyone know if they've been sorted?

26

Irish Air Corps / AW 139 questions

« on: December 12, 2007, 11:53:44 pm »

Was wondering if the FLIR that has been bought for the AW 139s has arrived and been fitted yet? If so, is training taking place with it (and the NVGs) yet? When displaying the FLIR image, is that done on a cockpit display, or is there any chance a helmet mounted display is used? (Apologies if that's going a bit Apache-ish there.)

Also, are there any tentative plans or the like, to grab another 2 AW 139s after the next pair arrive? Say, a year or 2's time after that pair arrive? Same for the EC 135s, what's the chances of another pair in the future. I know the economy is going to be heading through a bit of a rough patch over the next while, just asking the question to see if there's any solid info on these points. (Not that we should be getting X or Y instead.) Thanks.

[Quote]

27

Irish Air Corps / PC9 Air Firing

« on: December 12, 2007, 11:34:56 pm »

Quote (Viper @ 19 Sep. 2006,10:14)

I was reading in September's Irish Air Letter that live air to air firing was planned with the PC-9s this year. The article mentioned that a Learjet (31 I think), would be comming to Baldonnel for the task. Also it mentioned that some ex-RAF pilots would be comming over to act as instructors, but that's about as much as I got. Does anyone know anymore?

Does anyone know if the Learjet ever came over to do air-to-air work, or is planned for the future?

28

Foreign Air Forces / Air Shows (Read Only) / The V Force Risies again.

« on: October 19, 2007, 10:04:28 am »

Beautiful sight! Congratulations to all involved in getting her back in the air.

29

Irish Air Corps / Alouette retirement

« on: September 21, 2007, 03:28:56 pm »

Saw the same formation over Dublin city a few minutes back. A sad sight seeing them for the last time, great heli. Fair do's to all the crews over the years.

30

Irish Air Shows / Air Corps Family Day '07

« on: August 30, 2007, 05:57:55 pm »

Just wanted to say thanks to all those who organised and took part in the Family Day yesterday. Well organised with a good display by all involved.