- New training airframes on the horizon
By W/O Andy Evans
The Training Aid Replacement Programme (TARP) started 2010 by getting into the ‘meat’ of our current project—the introduction into service of new training airframes. The major push has always been the replacement of the 1940s vintage Devon and Sioux helicopters, and moving the 1950s Strikemasters into a supporting role.
Although the requirement for new airframes was agreed in 2007, it takes a long time to get funding and to move a project through the myriad ‘gates’ required to assure Command and the Government that we’re spending their money wisely.
Mixed fleet requirement
The requirement was for a mixed fleet of fixed and rotary wing airframes, each providing systems that would enable technical training to be carried out practically on systems that are similar to those fitted to the operational fleet.
After a lot of consideration, the selection was narrowed down to two airframe types:
- SH-2F Seasprites, to meet the helicopter requirement, and
- Mitsubishi MU-2F, to meet the fixed wing requirement.
SH-2F Seasprites
The Seasprites have been in storage at Davis Mothan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona and are in good condition, if a little weathered! They left Tucson early in October 2009 and, after a voyage across the Pacific and a short drive from Nelson, they arrived here at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Woodbourne mid-November 2009.
The RNZAF has already operated F model Sprites, which will be a big help with its introduction into service.
Current timelines indicate that the Sprites will be ready to be used for training by the end of the year.
Mitsubishi MU-2Fs
While we’re all familiar with the Seasprite, the Mitsubishi is more of a rare beast, especially in these parts. It’s a high wing, twin turbo-prop aircraft packed with avionics and airframes systems. Nearly 800 of them were produced throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s.
A similar size to the King Air, the MU-2 is a great looking aircraft, and these frames have the added bonus of being serviceable—in fact they were flown from America directly into Base Woodbourne (via the Atlantic, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Australia).
They arrived in August 2009 and will be fully introduced into service in the early part of this year. The current timelines show the Mitsubishis fully ready to be used for training by March, and this is right on track.
Training packages
The TARP team is working with staff from the Logistics Training Squadron (LTS) to develop maintenance and training packages for both airframes. Effectively, it’s a full introduction of two aircraft types into the Air Force.
TARP is also working to change the workspaces around the LTS hangar. Primarily, to create an atmosphere less like an aircraft museum and much closer to that which is familiar to us as a flight line. But also to improve the working environment for the individual technology areas.
Successful legacy
TARP has enjoyed many successes to date, including:
- the introduction of the Glass Cockpit Trainers for Avionics training
- classroom systems trainers for the Aircraft trade training, and
- technology-based training devices now in common use around Ground Training Wing and the wider Air Force.
The TARP team anticipate a challenging and exciting year and look forward to providing the Defence Force with the necessary technology to support our new operational capabilities.
The TARP team
Providing the Aircraft Technician and Avionics trade expertise:
- Squadron Leader Dave Tose
- Flight Sergeant Derek Evans, and
- F/S ‘Stix’ Hills.
Responsible for the introduction of the MU-2s:
- Sergeant ‘Muz’ Murray
- SGT Matt Smith
- SGT Steve Mills, and
- SGT James Skelton.