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Post by macnz on Aug 16, 2014 8:24:46 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Aug 16, 2014 8:00:23 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Aug 15, 2014 18:35:03 GMT 12
thanks Pete, I read somewhere on another blog that if a third OPV is pursued, a longer range model is desired. I wonder if STX Canada Marine has built a model exceeding 6000nm and over 1900 tonnes? At least Tenix, Williamstown can reapply what they have learned about ice-breaking and ballast to use for NZ.
Still curious as to whether NZ apply similar manning practices like the yanks - you know rotating gold and blue teams through the same vessel to get higher utilization.
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Post by macnz on Aug 13, 2014 23:25:14 GMT 12
A Third OPV to come at cost of half IPV fleet? " Two of the four 180-foot IPVs, commissioned in 2009, could be swapped for a larger ship, said Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman [..] will put the case to Cabinet next year if the government wins next month’s election." Aug. 12, 2014 - 04:36PM Source: www.defensenews.com/article/20140812/DEFREG03/308120014/NZ-Navy-s-Newest-Ships-May-Short-LifeI'm all for a third OPV but got me wondering if we don't have enough personnel to man 4 IPVs, how does our Navy rotate its crews? - what is the typical manning ratio per vessel? Presume with a third OPV, NZ will rotate one in reserve/training/maintenance. If that is the case, then would not keeping 3 IPVs also be required logic?
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Post by macnz on Jul 30, 2014 16:45:33 GMT 12
Australian Auditors Report on the MRH90 came out today - interesting comparison to make to our own report. Source: www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australian-auditors-slam-bungled-nh90-procurement-402130/We can always hope if later down the track their Generals do want to switch to the S-70M, NZ can happily (and cheaply) relieve them of a few. Wishful thinking but who knows maybe an opportunity to expand our fleet. Despite everything, I think they were a great asset to buy.
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Post by macnz on Jul 27, 2014 3:23:16 GMT 12
'It isn't clear whether that offence would apply because Mr Brownlee and his two staff members were allowed through the door.'
>> what the? If it wasn't an offence why did the pilot of the plane need to be advised by "..a senior Aviation Security Service (Avsec) officer, who visited the cockpit prior to departure, that Mr Brownlee was on board and that he had not been security screened". By the way this reads Avsec realized an offence was in the making and they were culpable in its making. lel - to say the error was the Pilot's for starting the flight. Talk about trying to pass the buck. Just fine them each $3,000 and let them go ahead and file their expense claims.
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Post by macnz on Jul 26, 2014 2:12:51 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Jul 25, 2014 17:25:06 GMT 12
The Director of Civil Aviation, Graeme Harris, confirmed an investigation had been started into an alleged security breach at Christchurch airport this morning. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11298499Nothing alleged about it, pretty well reported and confirmed 3 people walked onto a plane without any challenge and then managed to merrily get off the plane and leave the airport without further challenge by this officers. Who cares whether it happened after screening. Isn't the whole departure area suppose to be sanitized? You don't allow the public to wonder around the tarmac and plane before take-off do you? A one page report delivered today can pretty much can sum up the breach, then refer the names to the DPP.
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Post by macnz on Jul 25, 2014 17:01:52 GMT 12
"He (GB) denied telling an airport staff member at the exit door that "the rules had changed. I had two other people with me. There was no way I said that"
>> OK GB incriminate yourself further that was a clever denial.
GB: "I didn't initially consider that it was a huge problem. [Only after a phone call from Aviation Security] I suddenly realised, 'Hell, this is a pretty serious matter".
Keys: "[Brownlee] has obviously got off the plane and taken a second to reflect on what has happened. While he hasn't intended to put himself in this position, he has put himself in this position and he's immediately realised the severity of what he has done and he's offered his resignation."
OK so were these guys even in the same room when they spoke? I would expect they could at least attempt to get their stories consistent when being interviewed ...and what about the other 2 people in the entourage who conveniently slipped by?
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Post by macnz on Jul 25, 2014 13:52:56 GMT 12
Probably spend thousands redesigning the 'Stop'' sign on the door. Give GB credit for saying it was a thoughtless act, how many ministers have you ever heard admit to being thoughtless?
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Post by macnz on Jul 25, 2014 13:22:54 GMT 12
Thxs kiwithrottlejockey for keeping this thread updated. Good to see the CAA following through irrespective of the stature of the person. GB...and entourage? Even worse breach. Glad NZ public members spoke up. Armstrong article spot on - nobody should be above the law. Penalty (if prosecuted) appropriate but agree what will be more painful for him is having his name forever flagged on aviation watch lists ..that repercussion probably worse. Aviation security is a serious matter - too right
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 18:45:09 GMT 12
Yes unless Mr McCready does, I am sure DPP will be waiting a longtime for Mr Brownlee to volunteer himself or his officials in aviation to report their boss. Not a sackable offence but clever way to obscure the offence.
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 18:34:25 GMT 12
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 17:18:20 GMT 12
Good balanced opinion piece. Still left wondering.. is it a breach that usually warrants prosecution? Maybe he managed to dodge 2 bullets - masterful.
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 17:06:41 GMT 12
Are we looking for a mix transport fleet to replace our Hercs? As we cant afford the C-17 unless the US wants to donate a couple to us, then presumably the C130J/X or the A400M would be the only contenders ...unless the requirements preclude the need to fly to the S.Pole? C295 will be fine for maritime patrol and missions to Pacific Islands but do they have the legs and capability to fly to Scott? Of course my comments assume future tender will be replacement by 1 aircraft type, serving multi-mission, and for both types of environment. Maybe I am being too narrow minded. If that is the case then if a C295 is worth poking around then lets invite Bell and the V22 down too!
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 16:46:22 GMT 12
Any further update on this? The UK MoD awarded their contract in 2012 for the construction of four 37,000t Tide-class (MARS) tankers, with the first ship to be delivered in October 2015, and final vessel due in April 2017 by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, South Korea. If our MoD is waiting until 2015 to tender and only making final recommendation by mid-2016 - then there does not seem any time planned to get the contract awarded, vessel constructed, sea trialed and into initial operation before the HMNZS Endeavour reaches end of life in 2018? Or are they looking to buy second-hand or a commercial lease to fit the time window?
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Post by macnz on Jul 24, 2014 16:12:47 GMT 12
If his offence is something anybody should be prosecuted for then its a fine or a sentence - let the courts decide. Offering public contrition by offering to resign doesn't excuse the violation.
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Post by macnz on Nov 28, 2013 1:38:29 GMT 12
Today Reuters Report: S.Korea order would drive F-35 per-plane cost lower by Andrea Shalal-Esa finance.yahoo.com/news/korea-order-drive-f-35-235532826.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CfP8ZVShh8AIX3QtDMD" Loren Thompson, chief operating officer of theVirginia-based Lexington Institute, said the South Korean news would provide a significant boost to the F-35 program.
"The sale of F-35s to Japan and South Korea - America's two leading industrial allies in northeast Asia means the F-35 is now becoming the gold standard for tactical aircraft across the western Pacific," he said.
He said Singapore would likely follow suit with its own orders, followed by Malaysia and possibly New Zealand." ________ Surely a (mis)typo - right? If we were to ever get back into Jets - presumably Light Attack Fighters or maybe at most Gripens would be all we could ever aspire to? I hope we are not entertaining F35s. Money would be better spent on replacing Hercs i.e. A400Ms, or C130Js. Or to support amphibious capability some Osprey V22s or AW101s Otherwise some intelligence capability in a couple of R1 Sentinels or UAVs (assuming we have satellite capability) - would be a better shopping list fopr NZ, dont you think?
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Post by macnz on Oct 10, 2013 1:19:53 GMT 12
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