An Cosantóir

21 Comdt Mick Barcoe Officer Commanding 104 Sqn (Squadron) talked to Capt Cian Clancy of the Defence Forces Press Office back in October of 2020 for the Defence Forces Podcast series. The interview was specifically about the purchase of 4 PC-12NG aircraft by the Defence Forces. This article is derived from that podcast. Comdt Mick Barcoe joined the Air Corps (AC) back in September 2007. He had previously completed a degree in mechanical engineering in DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology). He grew up in Dublin, over-looking one of the approach paths to Baldonnell, something he remembers fondly as he would have watched all the aircraft coming in to land from an early age. Commissioned in 2010 into 104 Sqn, he began his flying with the now de-commissioned CESSNA aircraft, he also flew with the CASA, which is still in service today. In 2015 he completed his flight instructor's course and spent a period of his career in the Flight Training School in Baldonnell, he also spent time in SPB (Strategic Planning Branch) in Newbridge in the Department of Defence building, also serving in the Air Corps Press Office. He is now serving as OC (Officer Commanding) 104 Sqn which is where the new PC-12NGs operate from. The contract for the purchase of the PC-12NGs was signed December 2017. A full project team of engineers, technicians, pilots and CIS personnel were designated to oversee the project. The PC-12NG aircraft is not an 'off-the-shelf aircraft' as Mick explained. It takes 3 months to build the aircraft, but the AC needed the aircraft to be bespoke and fitted out with various types of equipment to suit them, which in itself may take up to 2 years to modify and complete. Over the last couple of years the AC would have spent a lot of time coordinating with the manufacturer Pilatus, as well as travelling over and back to Switzerland and the USA through the testing and evaluation phase of the project. Pilatus are a Swiss based company, who were founded in 1939, they produce various types of aircraft, notably the PC-12NG and the PC-9. The PC-12NGs that were contracted to be bought by the AC were based over in Colorado for a period of time, where they were taken from being a standard PC-12NG to a PC-12NG that met the requirements that the AC needed. A light to medium aircraft, it can take 9 passengers or a tonne and a half of cargo. It is a single-engine aeroplane that is fitted with one of the most reliable engines in the world, the Pratt & Whitney PT6. It can cruise up to 30,000ft and it can also fly at the same approach speed as commercial airliners, allowing it to operate from busy international airports. The versatility means it's capable of landing in a semi-prepared strip (or a grass strip) also on a very short landing strip, something which commercial airliners cannot do. It's quite unique for an aircraft that can carry such a large payload for its size, also can cruise up to 30,000ft and then land on a small grass strip. "It's exactly the type of aircraft that the Defence Forces needs" said Mick. The aircraft will have 3 mission sets, set out by 104 Sqn. Firstly, military transport, which is the passage of military cargo or Defence Forces personnel. Secondly, ISR, which is Intelligence, Surveillance & reconnesaince. And lastly, Air Ambulance, each aircraft is fitted out with lifeport systems, also seen on the AW 139 helicopters, Casa and the Learjet. The lifeport system is a stretcher unit that is able to take PC-12 SPECTRE PC-12NG SPECTRE The PC-12NG on the ramp just outside the hanger in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell The PC - 12NG manoeuvring on the ramp before moving onto the runway By Sgt Karl Byrne Photos by Sgt Colum Lawlor

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