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Post by Chris F on Jul 28, 2011 15:13:50 GMT 12
I was reading in the Taranaki Daily News this morning about the ongoing issues with the Trust and its helicopter.
The troubles started when TET purchased a brand new A119 single engined chopper and ran into trouble when the CAA said NO single engined helicopter can land in a built up area thus the A119 could not land at Base hospital.
So the A119 has been based at the airport and does transfers pick ups for Port Taranaki.
It's been a real shambles!.
So the trust late last year secured a deal with a second hand A109 Power trading in the A119.
The new twin engined chopper arrived in Auckland in March and was meant to be working in April but as of today is still grounded by the CAA as certain modifications have been found to not meet CAA standards.
I beleive the modifications were carried out in Auckland.
I know here in Taranaki the trust has been struggling with it's annual appeal to raise funds and this in part must be blamed on the publics lack of confidence in the trust.
Within the last month three differant rescue helicopters services were called in to help with rescues including the RNZAF this week to pic up a snow boarder of MT Taranaki.
The calling in of outside the provance providers has upset local operators such as Alan Beck who have years of experiance to carry out this work.
I also see in todays write up that the Trust want more corporate sponsors to help dig them out of their current hole.
This sorry saga started when the Trust purchased a single engined chopper that did not meet the rules of the CAA.
I wonder who made this mistake in the Trust?
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Post by philip on Jul 28, 2011 18:52:32 GMT 12
Why would you give money to a group that has demonstrated a complete lack of managerial skills? Sorry, they only have themselves to blame and they need to go.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 29, 2011 11:26:10 GMT 12
The single engine issue was brought up by a spokesperson from another helicopter rescue organisation a few years back, the thread is here somewhere. It affected not only Taranaki but a Nelson operator too if I recall correctly.
Regulation and coordination of helicopter rescue services is long overdue.
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Post by Chris F on Jul 29, 2011 12:07:36 GMT 12
Yes the whole thing is one big mess.
They now say it should all be go at the end of this month.
Thats a joke in itself as it is the end of the month and its still grounded.
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Post by 412Crewie on Jul 29, 2011 19:52:05 GMT 12
Well, you hit that nail right on the head.
While the performance stats make the AW119 an awesome aircraft for EMS and SAR work, I am reliably informed that the Trust were advised by more than one industry 'expert' that they should be looking at a twin engined aircraft from as early as 2006. Unfortunately, most of that fell on deaf ears since the drive was to achieve a new aircraft, no matter what. rumour has it that the 119 has been running at a significant 'per hr' loss since it came on-line because they underestimated it's running costs, again despite best advice. Hence, the community is heavily subsidizing every flying hour.
The two stretcher configuration, the separate rear cabin, the increased airspeed, the PT6 turbine and the 450BE winch on the right are all strong selling points, but it's still a single engine aircraft. Admittedly, the rule was written when we were all flying piston engines, but it still exists never-the-less, and it's there for the safety of all of us. When CAA invoked the rule the Trust identified the 109 as an acceptable option to replace the 119, but again, against the advice of various industry experts. It seems all the major players in the Rescue Helicopter sector in NZ successfully operate BK117's with the 850 upgrade, but again this was deemed an unacceptable option.
Since its inception the Trust has been primarily led by a Farmer, and an ex Police Sgt (who was recently 'let go' for ?? reasons). Since then the entire operation has seen a major management driven re-shuffle which has resulted in the loss of some highly experienced 'grass-roots' team.
To their credit though the Trust has just recently accepted an aviation expert on-board, which unfortunately may well be a case of 'too little too late'. I have to wonder if he knows what he's got himself into. Spare a thought though for the frustration of the Auckland based AOC holder and their various Pilots who have worked tirelessly in the background over several years in an effort to keep the operation moving forward despite constant resistance and miscommunication.
In short, you're right... The Trust needs an overhaul as does the management, and there needs to be a public investigation of the running of this valuable community asset. The waste and inefficiency are both unacceptable and unforgivable, but the smoke and mirrors need to be cleared once and for all. In reality it's no surprise that public confidence has been lost!
On a more positive note, my thoughts are with the dedicated volunteer specialists who continue to willingly provide their time and the valuable skills necessary to get on with the job when they are called. Well done.
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Post by Chris F on Jul 30, 2011 11:29:41 GMT 12
Thanks 412 crewie the sooner this mess is sorted the better.
The Trust have lost public confidence and I can bet the major sponsors are very nervous over there huge amounts of cash invested.
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 30, 2011 11:41:59 GMT 12
This is really bad news, and by the looks of things my new helicopter rescue service will have to be put on hold because of this fiasco. I was thinking of purchasing a couple of the RNZAF's Bell 47G Sioux when they come up for retirement and converting them to aerial ambulances, using the same stretcher pods as used by the U.S. M.A.S.H. units in Korea. ;D Hopefully the CAA will see the error of their ways soon, and realise that my system is perfectly safe.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 30, 2011 20:06:35 GMT 12
Easy solution Craig, weld two together with some garden pipe and have a twin engined, twin prop, four stretcher aircraft!
BTW the Sioux are already stretcher carrying capable, I know because I have been stretchered in one, round and round in circles and all sorts of up and down manouvres around Wigram, with the pilot trying to tip me out of the harness. Great fun!
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Post by Ykato on Aug 22, 2011 19:43:22 GMT 12
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Post by Chris F on Aug 23, 2011 12:42:12 GMT 12
Thanks for the pics...the chopper arrived yesterday and was straight into action that night.
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 18:25:34 GMT 12
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Post by Ykato on Aug 25, 2011 22:23:30 GMT 12
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Post by Ykato on Aug 27, 2011 9:46:26 GMT 12
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Post by Chris F on Aug 27, 2011 13:46:18 GMT 12
Thanks ykato for the pics they are great.
Seen the new chopper twice now over the city.
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Post by Ykato on Aug 29, 2011 16:12:04 GMT 12
Thanks ykato for the pics they are great. Seen the new chopper twice now over the city.  
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Post by Ykato on Dec 3, 2011 10:05:32 GMT 12
 ZK-ITR Flying over my house yesterday out bound. |
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Post by Ykato on Dec 3, 2011 11:58:52 GMT 12
ZK-ITR Flying over my house Thursday |
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Post by Ykato on Dec 3, 2011 16:55:36 GMT 12
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