'New generation' aircraft for Sligo rescue service
Sikorski S61 in action off Sligo Bay
Wednesday July 28 2010
A "new generation" Sikorski S92A aircraft will operate out of Sligo Airport in two years time.
On Thursday last, the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, signed the contract awarding the provision of Helicopter SAR services to CHC Ireland.
Welcoming the development, the manager of Sligo Airport, Mr. Joe Corcoran said it copper fastened the service for Sligo for the foreseeable future.
Transition to the modern helicopters will start in July 2012, and will run for ten years, with an option to extend for a further three years on a year by year basis.
It represents a marked improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland's search and rescue service.
The contract represents a continuation of the existing level of service with the principal change being the replacement of the Sikorsky S61N aircraft, with the new Sikorsky S92A aircraft.
These aircraft will operate out of Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin. The main role of the helicopters is to provide Ireland with 24/7/365 days a year maritime and coastal SAR rescue service.
The first S92A will be commissioned at Shannon in the second half of 2012.
The helicopters are maintained at a state of readiness of not more than 15 minutes from 0830 to 2200 local time, and not more than 45 minutes from 2200 to 0830 local time for each and every day of every year.
- HARRY KEANEY
