SAR to go private.

[rhinochopig]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/in...

Comments?

Having had no cover yet again on the east coast due to aircraft that are US, something has to change but is this the way forward?

[JuniorD]

Is Prince William going to be out of a job then?

[Eric Mc]

Don't worry - we are turning into a country of mercenaries. I hear that ex-Soviet alcoholic MiL chopper pilots are very good - and they are sober at least some of the time.

[rhinochopig]

Eric Mc said:

Don't worry - we are turning into a country of mercenaries. I hear that ex-Soviet alcoholic MiL chopper pilots are very good - and they are sober at least some of the time.

That wouldn't be too bad. It would be quite cool getting dropped off from Hind. You could strap litters to wings in a M*A*S*H fashion too.

[thinfourth2]

Well it is only rich people and working people that get into trouble at sea so no effecting the governments core vote

[...Karl...]

Interesting. Given that the primary roll of SAR is for downed airmen, will the civvie SAR also provide SAR cover for the forces in conflict zones?

I can't see that this will save the country money in the long term.

[mrmaggit]

Why does the Gummint insist on mortgages, when buying outright is cheaper?

Insert swearword of choice here.

[Papoo]

...Karl... said:

Interesting. Given that the primary roll of SAR is for downed airmen, will the civvie SAR also provide SAR cover for the forces in conflict zones?

It ain't too likely that a downed fighter pilot in the hills of Afghanistan will be collected by a helo from 771 NAS.

[mybrainhurts]

Eric Mc said:

Don't worry - we are turning into a country of mercenaries. I hear that ex-Soviet alcoholic MiL chopper pilots are very good - and they are sober at least some of the time.

And they're asleep for the rest of the time...

[eharding]

Papoo said:

...Karl... said:

Interesting. Given that the primary roll of SAR is for downed airmen, will the civvie SAR also provide SAR cover for the forces in conflict zones?

It ain't too likely that a downed fighter pilot in the hills of Afghanistan will be collected by a helo from 771 NAS.

The tradition of the military 'Big Yellow Helicopter' plucking fishermen in distress from the sea whilst having a quiet moment from plucking military aviators from a similar pickle dates from the days when we did indeed have a military aviation community large enough (and with a high enough accident rate) that SAR in British coastal waters could reasonably be expected to be performed by the military.

Today the situation is much different, the overwhelming majority of SAR work around these shores is involved with extracting civilians from some form of pickle.

That doesn't diminish the skill required to operate a rescue service in the most filthy weather at the very limit of endurance.

[Taffer]

Papoo said:

...Karl... said:

Interesting. Given that the primary roll of SAR is for downed airmen, will the civvie SAR also provide SAR cover for the forces in conflict zones?

It ain't too likely that a downed fighter pilot in the hills of Afghanistan will be collected by a helo from 771 NAS.

A fairly large number of 771NAS and Gannet Flight pilots are/were Junglies though, and have performed the troop transport/Medevac/SAR role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With such limited numbers of airframes and aircrew, the proposed solution does make the most sense; it frees up aircrew/mechanics/airframes/parts to keep the Sea King fleet flying operationally, and provides investment for new helicopters that the MOD would probably never have provided.

Also, when the job vacancies come out for 'Pilots with SAR experience', it'll give the ex-Mil guys an alternative to flying police choppers and air ambulances.