Topics

1

Irish Air Corps / Magazine

« on: December 03, 2004, 03:47:23 pm »

Hello Folks,

With the redesign taking a bit longer than expected our distributors asked us to rename the issue as December and I am glad to announce that it has been delivered. Wont be in the shops until Tuesday. The quality has really improved and I hope you enjoy it.

www.wingsireland.com" target="_blank">New Issue

If you cant wait until Tuesday or cant get to the shops for any reason you can order your copy online at the following address:

Order Your Magazine


Price is still Eur5 and there is no charge for the postage. Delivery within three working days. Might save you a bit of hassle chasing around the newsagents.

Looking forward to your feedback re the new design.
We will incorporate any good suggestions you may have. We have a standard template for the magazine now and are working on the January issue including an indepth look at the EC-135 and AB139.

Thanks

Tadhg

2

Irish Air Corps / Wingsireland.com

« on: October 14, 2004, 01:47:07 pm »

Just to let you know that there is a new discussion forum on wingsireland.com.
All are welcome!http://wingsireland.com/phpBB2/index.php

3

Irish Air Corps / A Heads Up!

« on: May 10, 2004, 11:40:13 am »

Just a heads up guys, there is a subscriptions special offer(limited to number) commencing today:

http://www.wingsireland.com/subscriptions.html

[Contents:]

4

Irish Air Corps / Wings Ireland Magazine

« on: May 05, 2004, 03:37:05 pm »

Well Guys,

It's nearly here, the new Irish Aviation magazine, Wings Ireland.

Here's a picture of the cover, this is what you will be looking for in the shops:



Contents:

National News
Weston Airport
Salthill Air Show 2004
Irish Air Corps
Eirecopter Helicopter Flight School
Russian Giants: Volga-Dnepr An-124's At Shannon
Website Review
In Irish Skies: Airbus A330
Overseas Visit: USS Intrepid
Airfield Directory

-------------------------------

Visit the Wings Ireland website here: http://www.wingsireland.com

The first issue will be in the shops on Wednesday the 19th May.

Any questions or queries post them here.


Regards,

Tadhg.

5

Irish Air Corps / Puma

« on: March 18, 2004, 10:31:48 pm »

Just heard on IMO:Irish News
By Valerie Robinson

AN investigation has been launched into the discovery of the letters 'SF' daubed with clay on an RAF helicopter at the Baldonnel facility in Dublin.

Similar graffiti was also discovered a fortnight ago at Casement Aerodrome in the Air Corps base.

The RAF Puma helicopter had been on a training exercise in the Republic when the incident took place.

It is believed that the letters refer to Sinn Fein - a source of intense embarassment for the state's Department of Defence and army chiefs.

The commanding officer of the Air Corps, Brigadier Ralph James, ordered military police to investigate the matter and discover the identity of those responsible.

It is understood that the authorities are concerned that similiar incidents could happen in the state in the run-up to the controversial planned visit in June to the Republic by US president George Bush.

A three-man RAF helicopter crew had arrived in the Republic earlier this month to take part in exercises aimed at familiarising British pilots with Irish airspace and airports in the event of an emergency.

..........very embarrassing diplomatcally I would think.Now that its public,someone will be hung out to dry.

6

Irish Air Corps / Wings Ireland

« on: February 23, 2004, 05:21:56 pm »

Just a heads up everyone,Im involved in a project to launch a monthly Irish aviation magazine.Funding from advertisers is currently being sought and the design process has begun.
A launch issue of May is what is being aimed for and a profile of the IAC is in the works.Interviews with high level people are also on the cards.I dont want to give too much away yet!!
I will also be doing a profile every month on an aviation related web site and Frank if you are interested i'd like to give irishairpics.com a bit of publicity.
If anyone has any suggestions please feel free......

7

Irish Air Corps / King Air 240

« on: February 17, 2004, 06:21:49 pm »

King Air 240 landed at Dublin airport today at 17:20..would this suggest that she is still being used as a VIP transport?
What are the future plans for 240?
I will post a photograph when I get a chance.

8

Irish Air Corps / The Answer to our Medium Lift needs?

« on: February 14, 2004, 09:21:38 pm »

Could this be the answer to our medium lift needs-recently had its first flight.The Mil Mi-38.
It has western engines manufactured by Pratt and Whitney and was designed in collaberation with Eurocopter..here are some specs according to Flug Revue:

Crew : 2 or 1 for cargo flights
Passengers : 30 in lightweigt seats or 12 passengers in a VIP configuration
External load capacity : 6000 kg

Power plant : 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127T/S (or later a Klimov VK-3000, a TV7-117 derivative)
Power : 2 x 1865 kW (2500 shp) for take-off
Transmission rating : 3500 shp from a single engine

Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 19,95 m
Height (Höhe): 5,2 m to top of rotor head
Stabiliser span (Leitwerksspannweite): 4,20 m
Rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 21,10 m
Rotor disk area (Rotorkreisfläche): 349,7 sq m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 3,84 m
Tail rotor disk area (Heckrotorkreisfläche): 11,6 sq m

Cabin length : 6,8 m, excluding ramp
Cabin width : 2,34 m
Cabin height : 1,8 – 1,85 m
Cabin volume : 29,5 cu m

Weights
Max. payload : 5000 kg
Sling load : 6000 kg
Normal take-off weight : 14200 kg
Max. take-off weight : 15600 kg

Performance
Max. level speed : 275 km/h
Cruise speed : 250 km/h
Service ceiling : 6500 m
Hover ceiling :
   - out of ground effect : 2500 m
Range :
   - 325 km with 5000 kg payload, 30 min reserves
   - 530 km with 4500 kg payload, 30 min reserves
   - 800 km with 3500 kg payload, 30 min reserves
   - 1300 km with 1800 kg payload, 30 min reserves



Costs
A price of around 11 million Dollars was mentioned in mid-2003.



Remarks
The Mi-38 was conceived as a successor to the Mi-17, featuring a six-blade rotor and modern equipment like CRTs in the cockpit. Variants for the Russian market and export are conceived, to supplement the Eurocopter range of helicopters.
The partners of Euromil have shared development and production tasks as follows:
Mil: originally, Mil was to handle development and flight testing, but due to financial constraints, some work was taken on by Kazan, including final assembly of the prototype and first flight
Eurocopter: leads the flight-deck design, avionics integration and passenger accommodation-related work
Kazan: manufactures fuselage and rotor blades and will undertake final assembly
Subcontractors include Krasny Oktyabr for the transmission and Stupino for the rotor head. For the Russan market, a new Klimov engine is planned, but this needs to be certified first.

History (Geschichte)
Mil began design of the Mi-38 in 1983 and showed a model at the Paris Air Show in 1989. At that time, a mock-up already existed.
0n 18 December 1992, Eurocopter agreed to integrate the flight deck and adapt the helicopter for international markets. A framework agreement was signed by Eurocopter, Mil, Kazan and Klimov. At that time, deliveries were expected in 1999.
The Euromil joint-stock company was finally formed on 29. September 1994. Mil, Kazan and Eurocopter each own 33 per cent of Euromil.
Work was slowed by the Russian financial crisis in the second half of the 90s. By mid 1997, construction of the fuselage and the rotor blades had started at Kazan.
Reconfirmation of a restructured programme came on 18 August 1999, when a contract on the completion of a demonstrator was signed. At that time, a first flight was anticipated for the first half of 2001. Also, a contract with Pratt & Whitney Canada was concluded regarding delivery of the PW127T/S for the prototype and a first batch of 50 helicopters.
In mid-2002, talks were of a first flight by the end of the year, but delays were possible due to the late delivery of the main gearbox. Pratt & Whintey engines were at the Kazan site by that time. The first prototype was then mostly complete early in 2003.
Eurocopter declared its intention to leave the Euromil consortium in July 2003, as due to new Russian laws it has to reduce its stake to below 25 per cent. By the time of the first flight, it seemed that this retreat was not formally concluded.
Rollout of the Mi-38 at Kazan was on 20 November 2003.
The Mi-38 took of for a five minute maiden flight (a hover) on 22 December 2003 at Kazan Helicopters airfield. Another flight was performed the next day.
Production of the Mi-38 could start in 2007.
There are plans for improved versions with take-off weight raised to 16500 kg and even 18000 kg with more powerful Klimov engines.

9

Irish Air Corps / Ground Based Air Defence

« on: January 19, 2004, 12:15:48 pm »

I went into the Careers fair in Croke Park over the weekend specifically to see what sort of a display the Defence Forces had-was a little dissapointed that they were not given as much space as last year in the RDS,but I was delighted to be given a qiuck demonstration of the firing of an RBS-70.Sitting in the firing position I was talked through everything from target acquisition,to firing the missle and in flight guidance and I have to say its a very impressive piece of kit.
But do we have enough? The Army personnell were of the opinion that it is only a matter of time before Air Defence regiments are deployed in support of overseas operations.
Also does anyone have any opinions on the EL-70/Flycatcher system?Apparantly they are "too good" having destroyed all target drogues?!

10

Irish Air Corps / Plane Spotters

« on: October 03, 2003, 11:43:12 pm »

Once in a lifetime oppertunity at Shannon today the worlds largest aircraft, the An225 transitted through.One word: HUGE!
It was parked in the middle of the airfield and I have to say it was an impressive sight with the almost resident Volga Dnepner An124 looking small in comparison.To put this in perspective this machine has a payload of 250 tonnes!
And the sad thing is, before anyone asks I didn't even have my camera.

11

Irish Air Corps / Cessna's - Time to replace?

« on: December 18, 2003, 10:56:27 am »

The Pc9 as far as we are told will be the sole primary trainer as the SF260 will be put out to pasture when the current wings course finishes. They have started on the SF260 and will change over to the PC9 when they arrive. The next 2004 Wings course will start on the PC9 only.

The Cessn'a are doing circuits here with the last wings course graduates to build up their flying experience and hours, no differently than when the Cessna's were in Gormanstown.