You may think I'm Mad but what do users of this board think to the following arrangement for the Aercorp. Ok, this wont happen over night or maybe would never happen. However we all have dreams/visions of how the Aercorp should be handled.
Prerequisites,
1. Fully manage and support all the SAR helicopters currently used by CHC around Ireland.
2. Have to break the mentality that the Aercorp should only function from Casement
3. Mr Smith has the be given the per-verbal bullet
Move the MATS to Dublin Airport
As Aerlingus are not longer flying commuter aircraft, there is a perfectly usable hanger at Dublin Airport which could accommodate both the G-IV and the LJ45. There will already be a SAR detachment working from Dublin right beside this hanger so "security" should not be an issue. The possibility of a MATS Halo to be purchased so as the Military version flown will not be used by Government official as personal taxis. Also as the G-IV seems to be on its last legs, the possibility of a Bombardier Global Express/Challanger should be looked into as thisowuld also give commanality between the replacemnt for the G-IV and the LJ
Base the Garda Squirrel down in Shannon along side the SAR Halo.
Totally Navelise at least two dauphins for the explicit use of the Navy (Maybe a second vessel is required that can actually handle the dauphin properly)
Move both of the CASA and base then in either Cork or Shannon (Which is would be closer to there area of patrol), Purchase a third Casa 235 or equivalent
All maintance will be carried out as normal in Casement.
All fixed wing / rotor training will be carried out in casement (PC-9M, An order for another 6- 8 would be advisable. Beech Super King Air to be replace by a couple more up to date twin, for basic twin training for the MATS, Maritime To carry out Fixed Wing training and the EC135 or some other Light Halo said the EC-135 as this is already in service with the GASU)
GASU EC-135 / Defender to be based in Baldonnel
Transports, again there will have to be a total re-vamp of the transport currently carried out by the Aercorp.
A possibility is for a couple more defender 4000's to be purchased for the Border / Light recon role or possible the PC-12.
3 -4 Hercules would be required to support over sea operations, possible a couple of lighter transports would be required to serve the new "location" used within Ireland by the Aercorp so day to day duties can be carried out. Possibility of this being a CASA 295 or a C27 Spartan.
Casement should be opened up the Biz Jet traffic much along the lines of Northolt/Brize Norton, all fess would stay within the Aercorp. This would also give the ground/ATC staff a lot more day to day work experience.
Now onto the Army support role.
We are all in agreement that the Aercorp require MLH halo for the purpose of transporting the army in cooperation roles. I also think the Blackhawk would be ideal in this situation, also something a little heavier for over sees missions such as the Chinook, which can carry personal in the halo and equipment slung under neath. I would say that about 3/4 Chinooks for overseas duties and also to cover the training aspect based in Baldonnel. The black hawks number would be decided one it was determined who/what required them, ie would special hawks be required to ferry the ARW around. These would certainly be a different variety to the Halo used to pick-up/drop a company of Soldiers. I also agree that which ever one would be selected that there was inbuilt provision for electronic countermeasures and at least a door mounted 50 cal.
Then there is the Interceptor/Ground Attack "Jets", again these should be farmed out to certain location throughout the Island. Possibly complete the same tender/lease the Czech have carried out for there latest SAAB Grippen, However there would be a big jump from the PC-9M to a full interceptor so something along thelines of the Hawk would also be a requirement.
However that is my penny worth or should I say cent's worth.
So In a nut shell the Prchases that woud be required to carry out this would be as follows
1 Additional CASA235
1 VIP rigged Halo for MATS
3/4 Chinooks
Undetermined number of Blackhawk or equivalent MLH Halo's, Possibly 12 - 15
3 -4 Transport including Light transport for Internal use
A further 6 -8 PC-9M
2 -3 PC-12 or Defenders
6 - Light Training Jets
18 - 24 Air - Air/Air - Ground/ Recon/ AWAC
Replacement for the aging G-IV
Prerequisites,
1. Fully manage and support all the SAR helicopters currently used by CHC around Ireland.
2. Have to break the mentality that the Aercorp should only function from Casement
3. Mr Smith has the be given the per-verbal bullet
Move the MATS to Dublin Airport
As Aerlingus are not longer flying commuter aircraft, there is a perfectly usable hanger at Dublin Airport which could accommodate both the G-IV and the LJ45. There will already be a SAR detachment working from Dublin right beside this hanger so "security" should not be an issue. The possibility of a MATS Halo to be purchased so as the Military version flown will not be used by Government official as personal taxis. Also as the G-IV seems to be on its last legs, the possibility of a Bombardier Global Express/Challanger should be looked into as thisowuld also give commanality between the replacemnt for the G-IV and the LJ
Base the Garda Squirrel down in Shannon along side the SAR Halo.
Totally Navelise at least two dauphins for the explicit use of the Navy (Maybe a second vessel is required that can actually handle the dauphin properly)
Move both of the CASA and base then in either Cork or Shannon (Which is would be closer to there area of patrol), Purchase a third Casa 235 or equivalent
All maintance will be carried out as normal in Casement.
All fixed wing / rotor training will be carried out in casement (PC-9M, An order for another 6- 8 would be advisable. Beech Super King Air to be replace by a couple more up to date twin, for basic twin training for the MATS, Maritime To carry out Fixed Wing training and the EC135 or some other Light Halo said the EC-135 as this is already in service with the GASU)
GASU EC-135 / Defender to be based in Baldonnel
Transports, again there will have to be a total re-vamp of the transport currently carried out by the Aercorp.
A possibility is for a couple more defender 4000's to be purchased for the Border / Light recon role or possible the PC-12.
3 -4 Hercules would be required to support over sea operations, possible a couple of lighter transports would be required to serve the new "location" used within Ireland by the Aercorp so day to day duties can be carried out. Possibility of this being a CASA 295 or a C27 Spartan.
Casement should be opened up the Biz Jet traffic much along the lines of Northolt/Brize Norton, all fess would stay within the Aercorp. This would also give the ground/ATC staff a lot more day to day work experience.
Now onto the Army support role.
We are all in agreement that the Aercorp require MLH halo for the purpose of transporting the army in cooperation roles. I also think the Blackhawk would be ideal in this situation, also something a little heavier for over sees missions such as the Chinook, which can carry personal in the halo and equipment slung under neath. I would say that about 3/4 Chinooks for overseas duties and also to cover the training aspect based in Baldonnel. The black hawks number would be decided one it was determined who/what required them, ie would special hawks be required to ferry the ARW around. These would certainly be a different variety to the Halo used to pick-up/drop a company of Soldiers. I also agree that which ever one would be selected that there was inbuilt provision for electronic countermeasures and at least a door mounted 50 cal.
Then there is the Interceptor/Ground Attack "Jets", again these should be farmed out to certain location throughout the Island. Possibly complete the same tender/lease the Czech have carried out for there latest SAAB Grippen, However there would be a big jump from the PC-9M to a full interceptor so something along thelines of the Hawk would also be a requirement.
However that is my penny worth or should I say cent's worth.
So In a nut shell the Prchases that woud be required to carry out this would be as follows
1 Additional CASA235
1 VIP rigged Halo for MATS
3/4 Chinooks
Undetermined number of Blackhawk or equivalent MLH Halo's, Possibly 12 - 15
3 -4 Transport including Light transport for Internal use
A further 6 -8 PC-9M
2 -3 PC-12 or Defenders
6 - Light Training Jets
18 - 24 Air - Air/Air - Ground/ Recon/ AWAC
Replacement for the aging G-IV
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