In message , Apellation
Controlee writes
On Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:42:41 +0000 (UTC), Tim+
wrote:

Nightjar wrote:
On 26/03/2013 17:12, Tim+ wrote:
Nightjar wrote:
On 26/03/2013 16:41, harry wrote:
On Mar 26, 4:37 pm, Nightjar
wrote:
On 26/03/2013 16:21, harry wrote:

Latest thing to be sold off, search and rescue.
Sign the e-petition here about this matter.

https://submissions.epetitions.direc...etitions/45283

HM Coastguard runs the ones around here and AIUI, they will oversee the
new service in much the same way. Personally, in times when the
Services' budget is being cut, I would rather see what money there is
going to equip the troops on the front lines. It is not as if we need to
get a lot of downed pilots out of The Channel these days.

Colin Bignell

Tch. The service is for ANYONE in trouble on land or sea.
They fly in all weathers,sea rescue, mountain rescue civilians
military etc.

Exactly, so what particular reason is there for the SAR to be a military
operation? As I said, the Coastguard do it around here and the Police
helicopter also does searches.

Colin Bignell

Because the military will fly in conditions that would make any civilian
pilot's hair curl.

Where do you think the Police and Coastguard hire their pilots?

Colin Bignell

Do they fly under the same H&S regs? I strongly suspect military pilots
have more leeway.

Or are considered expendable in some circumstances...
Yes I wonder what the legal position would be if a civilian SAR crewman
was forced to make the awful decision to abandon his winchman to save
the aircraft. Sea Kings have a hydraulically operated axe next to the
cable for this purpose. It's not something which happens very often but
it is not unknown. Maybe civilian pilots would stay further away from
such risky situations.
--
bert