Could the Air Corps make some money?

[easyrider]

There's a small article in the latest issue of Air Forces Monthly about the acquisition of an AW139 by FB Heliservices Ltd, based at RAF Valley - just across the Irish Sea - so that they can provide aircrew training for the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, which has ordered four AW139s.



The Air Corps train their own AW139 aircrew, so would it possible for them to offer training to other military users of that helicopter? Could they make some much-needed money that way?

[golden rivet]

great idea but id say political red tape would slow things down

[Schmigs]

If that doesnt work out, i hear Gaddafi is looking for a few reliable lads.

[pym]

A Mexican pilot was trained up on the PC-9M by the Air Corps, so I'm sure any other request for training would be considered

[DeV]

http://forum.irishmilitaryonline.com...11&postcount=3

If I remember correctly there was more than one.

As the size of the DF decreases maybe it is something the DF could do more.

The Cadet School have trained personnel from at least 2 nations, the C&S School trains personnel from a number of nations on every course, UNTSI run at least 2 courses (mainly for foreign students), the former Ordnance School have had students from a number of countries on their courses.

[Goldie fish]

Why not. The Military college regularly accept foreign students, as does the UN school. The NS have also had exchange trips with foreign naval officers, who complete an element of their OUT with us.(NZ some years ago).

Not to mention the joint training facility in NMCI used by both Naval and civilian students. It is easier to justify your existence to finance when you have a quantifiable return. Training overseas personnel is ideal for this.

[Jetjock]

It could be feasible. But then again why not send our guys over there and free up the currently very small fleet for operational flights?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there,
The Mexicans in question were already qualified pilots and were merely comparing the PC9m to the Beech T6II.
Suggestions: hold an annual airshow and charge a fee. The public love it and the Don would make a few bob for two days work.
Train foreign military pilot, engineering and ATC students.
Open Baldonnel's Museum to the public, even if only for two days a week, and give the escort man a cut of the takings.
Allow civilian companies to store aircraft there.
Allow Mondello to hold races on the peri track.
build an indoor firing range on the grass and sell shooting trips to the public. If it's good enough for Prague,etc,etc.
Get the dossers in the Depot to run bootcamps for fat Don spouses/kids/troubled yoof/skangers,etc,etc.

Oh, there's lots of ways to make money out of the military, but none of it will happen unless officers get their pockets lined first...
regards
GttC

[madmullen58]

Hi there,
The Mexicans in question were already qualified pilots and were merely comparing the PC9m to the Beech T6II.
Suggestions: hold an annual airshow and charge a fee. The public love it and the Don would make a few bob for two days work.
Train foreign military pilot, engineering and ATC students.
Open Baldonnel's Museum to the public, even if only for two days a week, and give the escort man a cut of the takings.
Allow civilian companies to store aircraft there.
Allow Mondello to hold races on the peri track.
build an indoor firing range on the grass and sell shooting trips to the public. If it's good enough for Prague,etc,etc.
Get the dossers in the Depot to run bootcamps for fat Don spouses/kids/troubled yoof/skangers,etc,etc.

Oh, there's lots of ways to make money out of the military, but none of it will happen unless officers get their pockets lined first...
regards
GttC

Best Post of 2011

[Tadpole]

You want money?

Sell Baldonnel.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Too late. The offer was made during the boom years but vested interests didn't want to move to Shannon.
regards
GttC

[watcher365]

Hi there,
The Mexicans in question were already qualified pilots and were merely comparing the PC9m to the Beech T6II.
Suggestions: hold an annual airshow and charge a fee. The public love it and the Don would make a few bob for two days work.
Train foreign military pilot, engineering and ATC students.
Open Baldonnel's Museum to the public, even if only for two days a week, and give the escort man a cut of the takings.
Allow civilian companies to store aircraft there.
Allow Mondello to hold races on the peri track.
build an indoor firing range on the grass and sell shooting trips to the public. If it's good enough for Prague,etc,etc.
Get the dossers in the Depot to run bootcamps for fat Don spouses/kids/troubled yoof/skangers,etc,etc.

Oh, there's lots of ways to make money out of the military, but none of it will happen unless officers get their pockets lined first...
regards
GttC

Gttc,

Fairly serious insinuation there. You simply cannot throw out these types of accusations without backing the statement up. So are you going to?

Secondly, the Mexican Air Force pilots were trained on the PC9M by the Irish Air Corps prior to the acceptance of their own PC9's. It was not a case of comparing the Beech to the PC9M. The pilots in question were rated on the PC7 (MkI not II, quite a significant difference) and various other Mexican AF aircraft.

As I've said before, the axe you have to grind seems to be rearing its head once again.

Regards to all and awaiting the inevitable flood of support for Gttc.

[Claudel Hopson]

Watcher365 you are right. The Mexicans were being trained up (converted) on our PC9's as theirs were still in production and are the exact same as ours. I saw them on the line in Stans and the pilots were in Baldonnel at the same time.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there,
Read what I said again. The Mexicans were ALREADY qualified pilots, ie, they were not raw cadets, and I was told by a very well-in insider that they had been offered the Beech T6 II (as indeed, the Irish had been) and were specifically detailed to compare and contrast the PC9M to the T6 II. As you know, there are significant engineering differences betwene the two, some of which led to the PC9M winning the Air Corps' acceptance........I'm perfectly aware of the difference between the PC7 and the PC9.
As for the remark about the move to Shannon, that "move" is as hardy a perennial as the ancient FF election promise to drain the Shannon. Every few years, someone suggests it and every time, it gets diverted. Even back in "Evening Herald King Air" time, it was mooted but quietly shot down. Remember, I was in the place when the mentality was that giving aviation service to the Army was an unwritten no-no. You should buy a few Heli oul sweats a few pints some time and pin your ears back.
It's a much better place now than it ever was, but a few of the old ways pop up from time to time.
regards
GttC