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Post by guest on Mar 25, 2011 15:32:15 GMT 12
Security does have relevance. Have you tried getting into RAAF Amberley recently? Dont forget that RNZAF is getting NATO helicopters, so who knows what the contract says as a condition of sale? As an aside, I have heard stories of guys in Afghanistan posting photos of themselves inside their base camp on Facebook - just what the Taliban would want before they plan an attack! So I think security is a valid argument, and if you are going to enforce it in one area, then you have to be consistent.
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Post by mumbles on Mar 25, 2011 18:57:27 GMT 12
Two Augusta Westland A109s will be the first new operational aircraft to go into service with the air force since it started flying Skyhawk fighter bombers in 1970. The Royal New Zealand Air Force has taken delivery of its first new operational aircraft in more than four decades. Crates containing two Italian-made AugustaWestland A109 helicopters have been delivered." Umm, what about the Strikemaster, Maachi and Seasprite, Fairfax?? Or the Andover, Boeing 727, Boeing 757, Cessna 421, CT-4, King Air, the ex Aus Skyhawks and Orion....I'm not sure what their definition of 'operational' is, but since the LUH will be used at least partly for training any of the above types are at least as 'operational' as it will be. It wouldn't surprise me if they were given that information by a compartmentalised RNZAF PR person only aware of the post 2000 acquisitions. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 25, 2011 19:03:40 GMT 12
I didn't mention those types as they were not purchased as new, they were second hand.
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Post by mumbles on Mar 25, 2011 19:28:08 GMT 12
I didn't mention those types as they were not purchased as new, they were second hand. Agreed, but still new to the RNZAF, and I wouldn't expect Fairfax to know the difference anyway. |
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Post by strikemaster on Mar 26, 2011 18:23:38 GMT 12
Maybe they meant front line strike fighter? Lol.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 26, 2011 21:29:04 GMT 12
New helicopters lead way for air force fleet HANK SCHOUTEN Last updated 05:00 24/03/2011 The air force has taken delivery of its first new operational aircraft in more than four decades. Crates containing two Italian-made AgustaWestland A109 helicopters have been delivered to the air force base at Ohakea – the first of a new $1 billion fleet of aircraft which will start going into service in the next year. Work has started on assembling the first one and it is expected to take to the air soon. The second machine will be kept for spares, and the remaining four A109s are expected to be delivered by September. These will be the first new operational aircraft to go into service with the air force since it started flying Skyhawk fighter bombers in 1970. Five A109s, ordered in 2008 at a cost of $139 million, are scheduled to be in service before the end of the year and the Government announced last year it was going to order another three. Designated as light utility and training helicopters, they will replace two-seater Sioux trainers which first flew in the mid-1960s. But they will also be available for a wide range of other uses and provide backup for eight larger Nato helicopter NH90s now on order from France at a cost of $770m. The NH90s, due to be delivered by early next year, will replace Iroquois helicopters in service since 1966. The first NH90 was test flown in France two years ago but deliveries have been held up by certification delays. Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the helicopters would be "a quantum leap forward for the air force". New air force chief Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell said the introduction of eight NH90 and five A109s into 3 Squadron was going to be a big challenge. "It will take some time to put the aircraft into operations. It's brand new technology for us – it is a big step up for the air force and pushes us out there, but we've got a lot of work to bring them into service." NEW TECHNOLOGY Agusta Westland A109LUH Maximum takeoff weight: 3175kg Number of passengers: 6 Cruise speed: 285kmh Endurance: 3hrs 30mins Range (with auxiliary fuel): 650km Underslung load: 500kg Rescue winch can lift 270kg or two people. www.stuff.co.nz/national/4802575/New-helicopters-lead-way-for-air-force-fleet
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ascend
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by ascend on Mar 30, 2011 19:17:50 GMT 12
Hi
I am having trouble with the number of 109LUH's on order.
Two Delivered, but one will be kept for spares, four more due.
Follow on order for 3 more.
I make this 8 flyers, 1 spares ship, total 9?
Can someone clarify?
Pete
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Post by beagle on Mar 30, 2011 20:03:01 GMT 12
mmmmmm I never heard that they would be getting an extra A109 for spares.
I think the second one that will be used for spares is maybe a temporary thing till normal spares arrive.
As for the other 4, could be a media typo and was meant to be 3. I haven't actually heard when the extra 3 will be coming. If they were next on the production line or another year, just not sure. Mr Mapp would know.
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on Mar 30, 2011 22:12:17 GMT 12
It is my understanding the first order was for 6 but only 5 will be operational.
There is talk of 3 more in the whitepaper but I don't think they have been ordered yet.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 31, 2011 0:00:50 GMT 12
Note the article also states the Sioux is a two-seater. It's not, it's a three seater.
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Post by Kereru on Mar 31, 2011 6:33:00 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2011 7:25:51 GMT 12
I saw it in the hangar and thought "wow, that looks like the Taranaki rescue machine but why would it be tucked up here?" Silly me!
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Post by guest on Mar 31, 2011 12:01:53 GMT 12
5.32 To maximise the utility of the relatively inexpensive A109s, a further three will be
acquired to provide an operationally deployable output plus training.
A straight cut from the Defence White Paper from the MOD site
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Post by skyhawkdon on Mar 31, 2011 16:36:50 GMT 12
"relatively inexpensive"... hhmmm... I guess relative to the NH-90 they are, but for a utility/training helicopter I think they are quite expensive to buy and operate!
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Post by kb on Mar 31, 2011 17:23:19 GMT 12
5.32 To maximise the utility of the relatively inexpensive A109s, a further three will be acquired to provide an operationally deployable output plus training. What an EXCELLENT idea! What will they comeup with next? ;D |
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Post by beagle on Apr 4, 2011 21:12:09 GMT 12
with the ambiguity regards numbers etc, I found info on the latest Aussie Aviation site saying yes we have got 1 A109 as a source of spares.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 4, 2011 21:45:46 GMT 12
The RNZAF has obviously ordered one more than they told the Government so keep it quiet.  |
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Post by Naki on Apr 4, 2011 22:09:13 GMT 12
I didn't mention those types as they were not purchased as new, they were second hand. The 421s and CT-4s (both models) were new |
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Post by phil on Apr 5, 2011 9:20:10 GMT 12
Except the E models weren't purchased, they are leased.
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Post by beagle on Apr 12, 2011 17:16:13 GMT 12
they must have the first one flying now ??
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