TVB
Lig ons/my bietjie in oor die helikopter operasie! Maatskappy, tipe helikopter en bemanning.
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We used the old SA airforce prior 1995. Shotly after that got privatised but still used ex SAA pilots like legendary Martin and Andre stoebel. They used Pumas in the old days and the chopper would not fit into the helicopter hanger and got strapped to the heli dec, blades removed to be installed a day prior arrival at the islands or Arctic. The firs company if my memory serves me right to start with helicopter operations was CHC (Canadian helicopter company) and they only used 2 x Bell 212's (diff between 210 used in vietnam and 212 is an extra motor and more lifting capacity - 1,3 tons to a max if you get constand wind of 1.8 but that was pushing the limits at around 110 persent)
The bell 210 fitted in the hangars on the ship x 2 without removing the rotor blades.
Then we got Titan aviation and they used the Comoff. It has no tail rotor and 2 huge counter rotating rotor blades. Heavy on fuel and was strapped to the deck. Removed the blades as well. Max lifting capacity was 5000 tons but it was very unpopular by the huge down draft and burned a lot of fuel. It was slinging 2 x contauners at a time and the guys was a bit more under pressure, what made matters worse was a very tight german manager who was about to go on pension but never got that far and always pushed for another expedition. He was however good and old school and I actually got to like him in a way. Maybe becauise I was ex military as well.
Then to my supprise as I was waiting for Titans huge Comoff to land on the ship (it was used by the Russians to launch torpidos in the sea) I got informed that another company took over and that we are back on track with 2 x bell 212's. I was almost jumping up and down from exitement as I really am keen on these choppers. You don't need that long sling and of course the best or one of the best flight engineers of all times, the legendary John Brittain was on board...yeah!!! We also done the famous yacht rescue together back in 2007 and I was so happy to see the old bugger I wasn't sure should I hug him or salute the huge bugger!!
So ye, we are sorted and one hell of a crew. Except for John Britton and Angelo (the ground signaler) I don't know any other by name and haert yet but we will soon strat with meetings and I am obviously working with them in close relation/operation as I will be the groundsman doing the signalling on the Island making sure every container lands at the right store/kitchen/workshop to be unpacked. Each container has got a name/number which we then will correspond on the list and confirm palcement. Some stuff get rather slinged in webbing like the new John Deere generator I believe.
Topic: TVB op vakansie na Gough Eiland (Read 318959 times)
