Air Forces Monthly - October 2005

[DeV]

This is paraphrasing of the current issue of AFM, so if I'm wrong - so are they.

Dauphin 247 made it's last flight from RAF Valley to Baldonnel on 11 August 2005 having been there for a charity photocall. Dauphin 244 was withdrawn on 14 August 2003. Dauphin 245 went into storage in early August 2005. This leaves 248 as the only active Dauphin. Alouettes 211 and 213 have also been withdrawn. They cannot be sold due their unique equipment fit. The remainer of the current fleet of 1 Dauphin, 5Alouettes and 1 Gazelle will be withdrawn by 2007.

The Alouette detachments to Finner and Monaghan have ceased. As have the Dauphin detachment to Finner. All SAR operations have ceased. Gormanston has ceased to be an operational AC base.

The Learjet 45 was accepted into service in December 2003. There are rumours of the G IV being replaced bu a Boeing BBJ / Airbus A319CJ.

The 6 SF.260WE's have been replaced by 8 PC-9M. The last two being accepted on 8 June 2004. One SF.260 has gone to the AC museum.

2 EC135 will be delivered in late 2005. 4 AB139 will be delivered in 2006/2007. Two options may be exercised on AB139. In the future the AC may operate a fleet of 8 AB139.

The GASU intents to order another EC135T-2, which is expected to replace the Twin Squirrel.

A request for tenders has been issued for UAVs worth e1 million. It is expected that 2 are required and will be operated by the Army, not the AC.

[Turkey]

Too my knowlage 211 and 213 are happly still flyin around, 248 will go before 2007, probally before this years end.......
As for the G4 , useless scum always seem to get their way.

[Goldie fish]

Didn't 248 go down in Tramore?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
The Alouettes might have civil certification difficulties if they have a military-spec engine. This is why users of ex-military Gazelles cannot operate them on a full C of A, but only on a restricted Permit to Fly.Either way, they'd sell alright, especially to operators in places like Canada, India and other mountainous regions.With regard to the Dauphins, I've been told by the Avionics people that the cost of a total overhaul and upgrade is more than they're worth.They may end up being parted out. The next thing to wonder about is what's going to replace the Cessnas.
regards
GttC

[futurepilot]

Didn't 248 go down in Tramore?

Yes

[hedgehog]

the guy who initially decided to get the Alloutte back in the 60's should be dug up and heavily patted on the back for one of the best decisions ever taken

[Bam Bam]

I wonder will the same be said for the man that selected the AB139's.

[Turkey]

Err, serious embaressment here, I mixed up my numbers again, 244 and 245 permanently sidelined at the moment, 246 and 247 are still in operation, but are expected to stop soon as is the Gazelle[ probally around Christmas for the Gazelle].
248 was indeed the one lost at Tramore, apoligies allround.
As for the A111 fleet, 213 has just finished inspection and will be back in the air shortly, 211 is undergoing inspection and will also be returning to service, 212 will shortly have a 'T' inspection and will also go back into service.
The current plan is that when the rest of the fleets inspections fall due they will be withdrawn.
It is strongly rumoured that the option on the remaining pair of AB139's will be exercised.
Watch this space.....................


so no one spotted that I got another number wrong..........

[Old Redeye]

If there is indeed a Boeing or Airbus in the AC's future, let's hope they choose the B737-700C/QC, that is a Quick Change capable of operating as a freighter with 8 pallets, full pax with 128 seats, a mixed pax/freighter with 70 pax/3 pallets, and with QC kits for VIP or medevac configurations. Basically identical tot he US Navy C-40A Clipper. This would provide tremendous flexibility and capability suitable to the full range if IAC requirements, particularly if matched with the addition of a new CN-235 or C-295 airlifter.

I have no problem with the government gaining a newer and larger MATS platform, but if they go for a BBJ or ACJ, the powers that be need to be equally generous in funding IAC airlift requirements and pay for a new C-130J-30. Anything less, such as a lone C-295/C-27J, would short-shift the critical airlift requirement while civilian ministers publicly enjoy relative opulence. Along with the many Army improvements ongoing, once the new Support Ship is underway for the NS and a total of 8 AB-139's are on order for the IAC, the next defense modernizaation requirement is credible airlift. A straight-up, pax-only A320 as mentioned by the GOC in another recent article provides only limited utility and comes no where near satisfying the full airlift requirement. And there is no multi-purpose convertible version out there of the A320, similar to the B737-700C/QC.