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Post by rumourman on Jul 15, 2009 11:08:44 GMT 12
****RUMOUR ONLY****
The RNZAF is buying four Mitshubishi MU2 Aircraft, and is about to buy four to five extra Seasprites, and some extra T56 engines, which will all be used at the GTW as training aids under some form of Training Review.
I guess this means the old training fleet will be disposed of....
Can anyone in the RNZAF confirm this.
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 15, 2009 12:19:26 GMT 12
Is rumourman a reporter?
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Post by phil82 on Jul 15, 2009 12:23:30 GMT 12
Dream on!
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jul 15, 2009 15:17:58 GMT 12
There is definately a project underway to replace the GTW Instructional Airframes fleet (Devons, Strikemasters, Sioux and 727).
The unsold Macchi's and Skyhawks have been tabled as cheap and readily available options...
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 15, 2009 18:19:55 GMT 12
Why would anyone buy MU2's?
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Post by vs on Jul 15, 2009 18:42:47 GMT 12
MU2 would not be much chop for multi engine training. More Seasprites could be required I guess since we have more ships than when we first aquired them
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Post by Bruce on Jul 15, 2009 18:57:41 GMT 12
If I understand the rumour correctly, these arent for Multi - engined training, Both the Mu2s and Sprites are to train technicians in the Ground Training wing (replacing Devons etc) not to fly.
On that basis the Mu2 probably isnt too bad, as they have similiar construction features and systems to the Herks, Boeings and Orions, but have tiny wings which take up minimal space. As far as practicalities go, not a bad suggestion. Likewise the Sprites will obviously have similiar sytems to those currently in service, and be a useful step towards the newer A109s and NH90s. No idea of the truth or otherwise of the rumour though, and therefore pure "whatif" speculation.
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 15, 2009 19:05:37 GMT 12
Well Kaman have at least 11 surplus-to-requirements Super Seasprite airframes that are probably only useful as ground bound trainers - maybe the RNZAF could pick them up quite cheaply?  ;D |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 15, 2009 19:51:23 GMT 12
Where would all these supposed MU-2's come from? There is only one in NZ that I know of and I thought production was not made in large numbers. Terrible little aeroplane to look at and listen to.
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Post by lesterpk on Jul 15, 2009 20:00:37 GMT 12
Generally true, not sure on the specifics. A quick google turned up this:
2201 & E2202 ROTARY AND FIXED WING AIRCRAFT FOR GROUND TECHNICAL TRADES TRAINING 25 NOVEMBER
– Request for Tender
In March 2008 the RNZAF issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the availability and budgetary costs
of training airframes to replace the obsolete airframes. These aircraft are required to provide RNZAF
Aircraft and Avionics trades people with cost-effective generic aircraft-based systems training and
experience as a precursor to their employment on the squadrons. Tenders are now invited for the
supply of up to ten aircraft with associated spares and special to type Ground Support Equipment
(GSE). The RNZAF ideally requires five (5) fixed wing and five (5) rotary aircraft to carry out aircraft
maintenance training at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. However, as long as this project results in a total
of ten aircraft (both rotary and fixed wing) there is scope for between three and eight rotary wing
aircraft.
RFT E 2201 is for the supply of the twin turbo-prop aircraft
RFT E 2202 is for the supply of the rotary wing aircraft
Both tenders will be evaluated together and the purchase of all the aircraft under a single contract will
be a consideration
The aircraft will be based at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and will be stored and maintained in a hangar.
The aircraft will never be flown and will be used as ground-based training aids for technical students.
There is no training requirement to move the aircraft any further than the immediate tarmac area.
Closing Date: 3:00 pm, Tuesday 25 November 2008
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 15, 2009 20:15:01 GMT 12
Good one lesterPK. Cheers. ;D
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Post by lumpy on Jul 15, 2009 22:19:38 GMT 12
Hm , joined today , 1 post only , and has got comments from some of the forums most knowledgable members . ( and clearly seems to have some sort of " inside " info ) . Please share more rumourman :-)
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Post by SEAN on Jul 16, 2009 12:53:30 GMT 12
looks like something is on at GTW ... Got this off - www.airforce.mil.nz/operations/airforce-news/99/tarp.htmTraining Aid Replacement Programme, or TARP This is only part of what is on the site... The next, and largest, phase of TARP is the purchase of aircraft and engines to replace the obsolete training aids currently used at GTW. We passed through the second major ‘gate’ on our quest when CDF gave this project, and its $6M budget, Approval In Principle (AIP), in early September. Although we can’t go into too many details about the potential aircraft types, we’re confident that it will be a major ‘step up’ for GTW. This will take approximately two and a half years to complete, but is phased so we’ll see the first five aircraft in service by October 2009. It also talks about making GTW bigger |
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Post by beagle on Jul 16, 2009 20:49:26 GMT 12
It also talks about making GTW bigger Not really. I think they are saying that they will be making better use of the room avaliable |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jul 20, 2009 1:16:19 GMT 12
Why would anyone buy MU2's? I flew from Gisborne to Napier in MU2s a couple of times during the early/mid-1980s when Air Central were operating them. On both occasions, Herb Maxwell (former HB & East Coast Aero Club CFI) was the pilot. I was in the same class as Herb's son Larry at primary school. Well Kaman have at least 11 surplus-to-requirements Super Seasprite airframes that are probably only useful as ground bound trainers - maybe the RNZAF could pick them up quite cheaply? ;D Aren't the Aussies ditching theirs now they have cancelled the Seasprite project? Perhaps that is where they would come from. |
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Post by dpdouglas on Jul 20, 2009 13:42:57 GMT 12
There is a plan to remodel and reorganise the hangar at ATS. This includes moving areas such as metal work area to the housing next to the latex covered skyhawks.
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Post by nzjet on Jul 20, 2009 19:54:50 GMT 12
Word has it that the seasprites are from the states and that its a pretty much done deal.
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Post by beagle on Jul 21, 2009 20:50:22 GMT 12
Why get old Seasprites to work on.
They don't have the glass cockpits that the NH-90 will have.
They are also aluminium construction designed in the 1950's where as the NH-90 is carbonfibre/kevlar etc
But I suposse someone knows what they are doing
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Post by aotearoa on Jul 21, 2009 21:05:16 GMT 12
I would have been nice to seen the ex Air NZ B747-400 ZK-NBS and Qantas B737-300 ZK-JNO been used for ground technical trade training that be sold and broken up for scrap.
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Post by kiwirico on Jul 22, 2009 5:51:17 GMT 12
Word has it that the seasprites are from the states and that its a pretty much done deal. Okay, so do you know how many SH-2 are involved? Is there any chance the RNZAF will obtain the surplus SH-2G from Australia? Cheers, KiwiRico  |
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;D
