With the Helicopter purchase programme underway, the next aircraft to be replaced in Air Corps service is the Cessnas. Strikes me that there are number of main options.
1. Replace the 172 with a similar number of similar aircraft.
2. Replace them with a smaller number of more capable aircraft
3. Replace them, and the Beechcraft, with a smaller number of twin engined aircraft
4. Replace them, and the Beechcraft, with a smaller number of twin engined aircraft but consider purchasing more than one type, factoring in the ongoing requirement for some cargo capacity.
There is also an option 5 of course, either retire them without replacement or expand the numbers of helicopters purchased.
Leaving that aside for the moment, and assuming that a replacement fixed wing type is in the offing, there are a number of other considerations. The first is that the Gardai now have their own capacity which (in theory) should remove the need for the Cessna to fulfill some of its original roles. Also, the new helicopters also offer capabilities previously only delivered by the 172s. Additionally, some of the state agencies that previously required support from the AC now rely on commercial contractors, primarily because of the need for ever more expensive sensor equipment. So I think that Option 1 can be removed as a practical suggestion. That leaves the other 3.
What do people think?
1. Replace the 172 with a similar number of similar aircraft.
2. Replace them with a smaller number of more capable aircraft
3. Replace them, and the Beechcraft, with a smaller number of twin engined aircraft
4. Replace them, and the Beechcraft, with a smaller number of twin engined aircraft but consider purchasing more than one type, factoring in the ongoing requirement for some cargo capacity.
There is also an option 5 of course, either retire them without replacement or expand the numbers of helicopters purchased.
Leaving that aside for the moment, and assuming that a replacement fixed wing type is in the offing, there are a number of other considerations. The first is that the Gardai now have their own capacity which (in theory) should remove the need for the Cessna to fulfill some of its original roles. Also, the new helicopters also offer capabilities previously only delivered by the 172s. Additionally, some of the state agencies that previously required support from the AC now rely on commercial contractors, primarily because of the need for ever more expensive sensor equipment. So I think that Option 1 can be removed as a practical suggestion. That leaves the other 3.
What do people think?
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