Bye Bye Garda Chopper (AS355N)

[Boomer]

Ref: APR116197
Notice Type: Invitation to Tender
Title: Appointment of an Agent to conduct sale of AS355N Helicopter
Published: 01/04/2009
Published by: An Garda Síochána
Deadline: 23/04/2009
Full Text: http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/sh...PR116197&ln=EN

[Craghopper]

They have two, do they not?

[Boomer]

They have two, do they not?

That they do, I have modified the thread title to prevent confusion

[pilatus]

They have two, do they not?

No they have three!Two EC-135's and the AS-355

[FMolloy]

No they have three!Two EC-135's and the AS-355

The AS-355 isn't in use & hasn't been since the second EC-135 was bought.

[Tony Kearns]

No they have three!Two EC-135's and the AS-355

Pilatus is correct they have three even though the 355 is not presently in use, but three they have . Yeah , yeah were being pedantic!
Tony K

[hptmurphy]

Is it up for replacement or just disposal?

[Gunner75]

If the Gardai get rid of the 355 that will leave two operational helos. Considering PSNI will soon have two too just cover the north, are the gardai not being over streched it air support terms or will the army be called in to provide air cover?

[pym]

Think the plan was to just have a 2 helicopter fleet + the Defender.

I understand the reasoning behind wanting one common helicopter, but if this isn't replaced... it equals a loss in capability, or potential capability, if it hasn't been used in a while.

Think it's daft basically.

If the Air Corps get the maintenance contract for the EC-135's it's going to look very... odd... that there's 2 EC-135's with Pratt & Whitney engines, and another two with Turbomeca engines.

[DeV]

The 2nd EC135 was purchased to replace the 355

[pmtts]

Think the plan was to just have a 2 helicopter fleet + the Defender.

My local force fly the 4000 Islander for air support ops. It can obviously stay airborne for far longer and reduces the noise factor at night.

[DeV]

The reason for the plane apart from endurance is also it is more covert.

[pym]

My local force fly the 4000 Islander for air support ops. It can obviously stay airborne for far longer and reduces the noise factor at night.

You have that right - I can honestly say I've never been woken by the Defender, the EC-135 is another topic entirely though

That particular plane has kept a low profile over recent years, I remember there being some issue with its avionics/sensor kit and vaguely remember an American audit firm saying it wasn't safe to fly on one engine in its early years, but since then it's been quiet in going about its business.

[DeV]

That particular plane has kept a low profile over recent years, I remember there being some issue with its avionics/sensor kit and vaguely remember an American audit firm saying it wasn't safe to fly on one engine in its early years, but since then it's been quiet in going about its business.

From DF Annual Reports, relating to Defender:

2000 - 335 hrs (278 missions)
2001 - 240 hrs (165 missions) - reduced due to external safety audit
2002 - 537 hrs (451 missions)
2003 - 514 hrs (452 missions)
2004 - 453 hrs (404 missions)
2005 - 447 hrs (603 missions)
2006 - 434 hrs (245 missions)
2007 - 139 hrs (71 missions)