NH-90:
LEARNING FROM EACHOTHER
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DECK
LANDINGS ON THE DUTCH 'ZR.MS. ZEELAND' OPV |
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ARTICLE IN THE LEADING HUNGARIAN
AVIATION MAGAZINE BY KEES OTTEN & WIM DAS |
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BELGIAN
PILOTS LEARN FROM THEIR DUTCH COLLEGUES TO LAND ON DECK OF SHIPS AND GET
THEIR 'OWL' ! |
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Belgian
pilot Kenneth
'Birdie' got his 'Owl' or in Dutch 'Uiltje' after the
examination |
LET'S
TAKE YOU TO A DAY OF EXERCISING... EXERCISING... EXERCISING... i
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The
ship the pilots had to land and take-off the whole day concerned the
‘Zr.Ms. Zeeland’ a so called Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV) |
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Press-facility:
Brought to the ship by superfast FRISC, fast Raiding Interception Special
forces Craft ! |
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The
FRISC sails into the OPV, and is towed inside in the 'steel-beach'where
you can step out of the boat |
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View
at the bridge of the Zr.Ms. Zeeland |
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Commander
Toebast welcomed us on the ship and explained about the cooperation with
the Airforce landings |
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The
Gerrmans delivered some cooperation on the ship as well, combined training
in an exchange program |
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Every
cooperation leads to more possibilities, expertise and more interchangeability |
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From
the bridge the actions on the deck behind can be followed live |
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It's
nice to see how professional everybody works watchful in serenity |
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Cooperation
and integration is created of staff from different countries |
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The
NH-90 can be the eyes and ears of the ship, data that can be used
immediately on the bridge |
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Of
course there are moments for a short break and / or a cup of coffee |
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In
the afternoon the real work starts: Landing on deck. This picture
shows how accurate it should be done |
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The
Belgian NH-90 |
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About
to hit the deck, approaching from one side..... |
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.....and
leaving again in a sort of touch-and-go on the other side again. |
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Not
just once, but many times day's over ! |
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This
is a marvellous view so near to the landing helicopters |
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Not
just the Belgians practiced, the Dutch as well with their NH-90 coming
from the DHC (Defence Helicopter Command) |
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View
from the bridge, a remote control operated canon, just in case nasty
pirates might be around ... ;-) |
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The bridge
is checking: Is it all okay and within wind limits ? |
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Checking
the slope of the ship and fluctuation. And by monitor checking the actual
landings like this one, the DHC NH-90. |
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IMPRESSION
OF AN ACTUAL LANDING ON THE DECK i
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Ship
and helicopter must be able to rely on eachother |
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The
Flight Deck Officer also judges the situation by 'feeling' (his feet) as
it comes to the ships movements.... |
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Time
is right, lower the helicopter... |
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Easy
now... |
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Almost....easy
does it.... |
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Last
seconds... |
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On
deck...touchdown ! |
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Harpoon
in the grid to secure helicopter to the ship... |
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There
it is, fastened to the ships deck by the small harpoon in the grid right
under the machine. All safe & sound ! |
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