Flying in an RNZAF NH-90

[Gavin Conroy]

Two months ago I had the opportunity to go for a couple of flights in the RNZAFs new NH90 helicopters. They are a huge step up for our Air Force, of course I will miss the Huey but these helicopters are very impreseive. At the time the aircraft had only just been signed off to fly civilians and a ruling was in place that no electronic gadgets could be used whilst the rotors were turning so I could not take any photos in flight. Look forward to many more flights in these helicopters in the years ahead and cannot wait to go for a good flight once the aircraft have gone through all of the flying they need to become fully operational.

[Dave Homewood]

Very cool Gavin!

[suthg]

Jealous much! Nice detailed shots!

[johnnyfalcon]

Can these be flown single-pilot?

[beagle]

I think some of the guys are married but there would be some still single. hehehehe

I would think that if one of the pilots suffered real bad food poisoning from flight rations and was incapacitated, I think one pilot could possible fly it. It's all pretty automated.
In all the images I haven't seen a dog sitted in the jump seat to bite any hands that touch any buttons.

For the real answer Thax would know.

[crewdog]

Jul 11, 2013 21:47:50 GMT 12 beagle said:

In all the images I haven't seen a dog sitted in the jump seat to bite any hands that touch any buttons.

For the real answer Thax would know.

There's no dog required for that Beagle, with the correct guidance and training from a Crewman the pilots will automatically know which buttons they are allowed to touch without getting "bitten".

[BATLDR]

Haha dream on Crewdog!

[beagle]

I got my edition of the latest RNZAF News today and saw a bit in there on the HTU
Pictured is a Warrior with what looks like the deployable flotation devices fitted.
Are these easily fitted and would they be used for flights across the ditch and when venturing off the coast by a certain distance.

[phil]

I'm really not sure what a warrior is, but assuming you are talking about an NH-90, apparently are not easily fitted, although they are role equipment.

[ngatimozart]

Apparently the NH90 is called the warrior in NZ service. Just to confuse things the ADF call it the Taipan.

[Dave Homewood]

Another rumour was it is called the Rhino in RNZAF service. What is it officially?

[beagle]

pretty sure rhino is it's call sign there Dave.

[phil]

It's called....the NH-90.

And the A-109 is called...the A-109.

[Ykato]

Jul 15, 2013 10:46:18 GMT 12 phil said:

It's called....the NH-90.

And the A-109 is called...the A-109.

ATC Callsign = Warrior Was Changed from Rhino to Warrior as their was some confusion with Rhino & Orion, According to one of the NH90 crewman in response to a similar question from myself on another Aviation forum .

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks. So they have a callsign but no proper name.

[thax]

Correct. The aircraft type names are NH90 and A109LUH. The aircraft call signs for RTF are Warrior for NH90 (derived from the 3 Sqn crest which features a crouching Maori warrior) and Mako for A109LUH (as a consequence of its shark-like appearance).

[Dave Homewood]

Such dull names those letter-number combinations, A109LUH sounds like a barcode. It's a pity the RNZAF doesn't give them names the public and media will latch onto, because I'm sure we'll soon be seeing all sorts of combinations of scrambled letters in the news articles when they start rescuing people and doing public things more.

[Ykato]

Jul 24, 2013 19:11:43 GMT 12 thax said:

Correct. The aircraft type names are NH90 and A109LUH. The aircraft call signs for RTF are Warrior for NH90 (derived from the 3 Sqn crest which features a crouching Maori warrior) and Mako for A109LUH (as a consequence of its shark-like appearance).

Although these could confuse the general Public Name wise.