Post by vgp on May 29, 2008 14:19:43 GMT 12
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Navy flies in on recruitment drive
Waikato Times | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Its blades are worth $2 million alone and it costs $30,000 an hour to keep it in the air.
Yesterday, as part of a recruitment drive, two Hamilton Boys' High School students experienced a flight in a Seasprite helicopter, one of five operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Ben Henderson, 17, and Tyran Bussell, 13, were the lucky pair to have their names drawn out of a hat for the helicopter ride, although Ben said he was more interested in joining the army, "because I want to be in the SAS".
The boys got a 20-minute trip including a jaunt to Eureka, a lap of Rototuna and a flight down the Waikato River before circling the school field and landing.
Tyran had never been in a helicopter and said it was an awesome experience.
Ben said the flight was brilliant and they had flown over his house. "We were tightly strapped in, but we were allowed to take photos. At one stage we were pretty much sideways that was a weird feeling."
The Seasprite, based at Whenuapai, is worth about $60 million. It can take up to 1800 litres of fuel if not carrying weapons and burns about 600 litres of fuel an hour, flying at speeds of 200km/h plus.
Although primarily used for military duties, the helicopter is sometimes used for search and rescue.
Lieutenant Commander James Tayler has been in the navy for nearly 30 years. He joined as a 16-year-old straight out of school and with no qualifications, and worked his way up. He is now both a helicopter pilot and instructor.
He told students the navy was short of recruits, including engineers, ships' officers, administration and logistics personnel, pilots and crewmen.
"There's lots of opportunities, it's a great life," he said.
Helicopter crewman Ati Wynyard said the helicopter cost about $30,000 an hour to operate, once things like manpower were taken into account.
"One big blade is worth $500,000, so there's $2 million sitting on top. We don't fly in lightning conditions because the blades explode if they get hit."
The crew flew off to visit a school in Tauranga before returning to Auckland
www.stuff.co.nz/waikatotimes/4564452a6004.html
Navy flies in on recruitment drive
Waikato Times | Thursday, 29 May 2008
Its blades are worth $2 million alone and it costs $30,000 an hour to keep it in the air.
Yesterday, as part of a recruitment drive, two Hamilton Boys' High School students experienced a flight in a Seasprite helicopter, one of five operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Ben Henderson, 17, and Tyran Bussell, 13, were the lucky pair to have their names drawn out of a hat for the helicopter ride, although Ben said he was more interested in joining the army, "because I want to be in the SAS".
The boys got a 20-minute trip including a jaunt to Eureka, a lap of Rototuna and a flight down the Waikato River before circling the school field and landing.
Tyran had never been in a helicopter and said it was an awesome experience.
Ben said the flight was brilliant and they had flown over his house. "We were tightly strapped in, but we were allowed to take photos. At one stage we were pretty much sideways that was a weird feeling."
The Seasprite, based at Whenuapai, is worth about $60 million. It can take up to 1800 litres of fuel if not carrying weapons and burns about 600 litres of fuel an hour, flying at speeds of 200km/h plus.
Although primarily used for military duties, the helicopter is sometimes used for search and rescue.
Lieutenant Commander James Tayler has been in the navy for nearly 30 years. He joined as a 16-year-old straight out of school and with no qualifications, and worked his way up. He is now both a helicopter pilot and instructor.
He told students the navy was short of recruits, including engineers, ships' officers, administration and logistics personnel, pilots and crewmen.
"There's lots of opportunities, it's a great life," he said.
Helicopter crewman Ati Wynyard said the helicopter cost about $30,000 an hour to operate, once things like manpower were taken into account.
"One big blade is worth $500,000, so there's $2 million sitting on top. We don't fly in lightning conditions because the blades explode if they get hit."
The crew flew off to visit a school in Tauranga before returning to Auckland
www.stuff.co.nz/waikatotimes/4564452a6004.html
