An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | mates all stages of operation from the start phase to fuel and power management inflight and remaining engine protection in the event of engine failure. The forward Garda observer sits beside the pilot operating the thermal imaging and video camera, both of which are mounted on the nose of the helicopter. The Garda observer designated mission commander sits behind the pilot and controls the moving map display and the communications suite. It is his responsibility to decide the steps necessary for task fulfillment. The density of radio traffic combined with a wide range of information from the aircraft's sensors and the need for constant vigilance in relation to the surrounding airspace and the ground below, can put huge pressure on the crew. For that reason crew resource management is a very important feature of ongoing training, development and discussion. Comdt Bonner stressed that the closest co-operation and teamwork is required from all three crew members but added: "As the aircraft commander, the pilot is ultimately responsible for flight safety and dealing with air traffic control issues, which is no easy task in the Greater Dublin area as there is a lot of traffic, both fixed-wing and helicopters." An experienced GASU pilot gave an example of a typical mis- sion. "On a dark, damp winter's night over Dublin, with a lowering cloudbase and a moisture-laden atmosphere, '272' was respond- ing to a robbery when we were advised that a getaway car had made off in a certain direction. I was assisted in navigating directly to the scene by our forward observer who had previously served in the area. "Through my NVG, I spotted an individual acting suspiciously close to an abandoned car and passed this information to the observer so that he could track the suspect with the camera and thermal imaging as he ran across some parkland and into a house. The mission commander was watching this on his screen and im- mediately communicated the information to nearby ground units, leading to the rapid detention of the suspect." The Defender (Serial '254'), is a substantially upgraded version of the famous Islander, with an enlarged wing and lengthened fuselage. It has greater range and endurance than the helis and can operate from any of Ireland's regional airports and airfields. Its crew typically comprises the pilot and two or three Garda observers, depending on operational requirements. Sergeant Coade says: "With its ability to loiter at very slow speeds and remain airborne for approximately four hours, it al- lows great flexibility and is a very important platform for a wide variety of tasks. Its main use is for pre-planned overt or covert missions." The Defender is powered by two Allison 250-b17F/1 engines, capable of producing 400 shaft horsepower. Normal cruise speed is 140kts and it can loiter at 80-85kts with flaps. Onboard systems include the Bendix/King KFC 325 autopilot and flight director, which interfaces with the Bendix/King KAS 297C vertical speed and altitude preselector. There is also a Ben- dix/King RDR 2000 digital weather radar. A KMC 321 mode controller operates the flight control system and navigation is aided by a Bendix/King KLN 90B TSO GPS. Mission equipment is broadly similar and complementary to that carried by the helicopters. GASU is staffed by 20 Garda observers (three sergeants and 17 gardaí) and 14 Air Corps pilots from 3 Ops Wing. Eligibility to serve as an observer requires five years' service as Mission Commander adjusting his screens in 272. Sometimes a paper map is useful too.

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