RNZAF A109LUH - first flight

[rumourman]

[kiwiscanfly]

So any of the NH90 anywhere?

[phil]

May 14, 2010 21:03:28 GMT 12 kiwiscanfly said:

I hate to say it but God It Look's Good (sorry Phil)

I hate to say it, but even capitalising each word wont make the plain grey any more interesting.

[nige]

Functional colour scheme I suppose (at least now the media might remember they are not "army")! But I just wish NZ would break with this new colour scheme "tradition" and like the OZ, Brits and US, put some colour back into the unique squadron insignia. (Again, from a media perspective, this could only be positive by reinforcing that the Air Force has some character, i.e. within the organisation there is some individual "flair" and pride that is proud to be on show, albiet discrete)!

[Dave Homewood]

There's not much difference between this scheme and that worn by the Iroquois fleet. But I reckon it would look great with sharks teeth on the nose. ;D

[smithy]

I know next to nothing about egg-beaters but that doesn't look too bad.

I agree though, bloody boring scheme. Why on earth they don't go for a dark grey/dark green camo scheme is beyond me. I would have thought it'd be more useful for the altitudes and terrain they'll be working at and over. Then again two paints means more cost.

[Dave Homewood]

As it is a training aircraft I'm surprised there are not some bright patches or stipes. That colour scheme will totally disappear on an average Ohakea grey day. Let's hope it doesn't lead to collisions.

[smithy]

May 15, 2010 1:10:01 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

As it is a training aircraft

I forgot they were trainers Dave and see your point. Be interesting to see whether they change this scheme with that in mind.

[phil]

They are training and light utility helicopters. They will have an operational role as well.

I'm not too sure the SAS would appreciate flying around in Bright yellow and black helicopters!

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, I know that Phil but safety must be considered for the trainee pilots in the circuit too surely? I think it would be dangerous to allow such low viz aircraft with inexperienced pilots aboard into such a busy circuit. It's not like the SAS will be going to war with them every day, now is it?

[phil]

They could look quite good in Yellow/Black training scheme.

[corsair67]

Who cares about the colour scheme!

I'm more interested in the fact that the RNZAF is about to receive some brand new equipment, and that they'll actually own it themselves.

[30sqnatc]

May 14, 2010 22:18:52 GMT 12 nige said:

Functional colour scheme I suppose (at least now the media might remember they are not "army")!

Note to self - send minute to Chief of Navy directing all ships to have 'NAVY' painted on the side and Chief of Army that all vehicles are to have 'ARMY' painted on the side.

Can't confuse the press. Now what do we do on missions overseas with tri-service staffing - 'JOINT'

[corsair67]

Note to self - send minute to Chief of Navy directing all ships to have 'NAVY' painted on the side and Chief of Army that all vehicles are to have 'ARMY' painted on the side.

The words Air Force are painted on the helicopters so you horrid Army people can't get you sticky fingers all over them! ;D

[sputnik767]

Firstly I hope I am not repeating something discused earlier in this post.
I have been wondering how these and their bigger counterparts will cope with some of the relief work that the RNZAF is required to do. With wheels instead of skids a lot of weight is concetrated on a small area and as I recall seeing on the telly after the samoan sunami, a lot of landings weren't on a hard surface to take a concentrated weight.
I can recall that one of the rescue helicopter operations was looking at upgrading, but it was poo poo'd because with wheels it could not always get a close landing point....

[corsair67]

Good point, Sputnik.

I guess there's not much choice as far a new helicopters go, as most of them seem to be built with wheels rather than skids nowadays.

I actually don't know if the A-109s will really be that much use in relief operations, as they have a pretty small main cabin.

[Naki]

The air force actually specified wheels - so they can easily embarked on ships (ie Canterbury and the two OPVs)

[30sqnatc]

May 15, 2010 12:00:48 GMT 12 corsair67 said:

The words Air Force are painted on the helicopters so you horrid Army people can't get you sticky fingers all over them! ;D

Helicopter = air worthness standards. Heck that would take half the Army to keep them flying to carry the other half - Nooooooooooo

[timmo]

Feb 20, 2010 9:47:30 GMT 12 hardyakka said:

I've flown in a civilian Bell 47 and loved it but this would be like learning to drive in a Ferrari... challenging but rewarding when you get it right.

That is/was my concern also....the Sioux, while definitely past its use by date, seemed like a very good introduction to rotary flight- Good visibility, basic systems and minimal power which would teach good engine/power management.

The 109 is a proven airframe but it is (relatively) complex one- Two turbines, retractable gear etc.

[Dave Homewood]

I might be wide of the mark here, but don't forget that the RNZAF are retaining a Sioux and an iroquois in the RNZAF Historic Flight and that the Historic Flight is part of CFS, and their aircraft are actually there for pilot training as well as airshows. It's possible that the preserved Sioux may be used for introductory training I guess.

Or alternately the plan may be, like the way of the world, they just get some civvies to train the new pilots on Robinsons or something before they turn up for training on the more sophisticated helicopters.