No need for VI’S own helicopter- J. Phil Aspinall
Mr Aspinall was speaking on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, November 18, 2024, when co-host Damion C. Grange asked his views on the idea of the VI acquiring a helicopter.
“The reality is in the thirty-five odd years I’ve been coordinating rescues, I’ve used a helicopter maybe three or four times,” Mr Aspinall responded and added that a helicopter is a costly machine to keep going.
Small lightweight aircraft is better
Grange followed up by asking if a helicopter used for multiple purposes to include use by the police, for search and rescue and for airlifting patients from one sister island to the next would make more sense.
The search and rescue expert replied that a small lightweight aircraft is all the VI would need. One that is well-equipped and can take a stretcher if needed but not a helicopter.
Mr Aspinall, who said he served in the military for many years, explained that helicopters are five times as expensive to run per hour and have a short range.
He said search and rescue operations using something that can be in the air for several hours is better compared to a helicopter that has to refuel after about an hour and a half.
Mr Aspinall said now that VISAR has been in operation for many years, when a request for a helicopter from the US Coast Guard is made, it is approved and on its way to assist in a timely manner.
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24 Responses to “No need for VI’S own helicopter- J. Phil Aspinall ”
What nonsense are you talking. We had a plane and it was disbanded and the drug trafficking went crazy. Who do you all think you fooling we here are not stupid we seeing the game.
Moreover, helicopters can quickly deploy rescue personnel and equipment directly to the scene, facilitating prompt medical assistance or evacuation without the need for landing, which is crucial in time-sensitive situations. Their versatility in vertical takeoff and landing means they require less space for operations, enabling them to access remote areas that might be unreachable by other means.
In contrast, while small lightweight aircraft may have their benefits, they are limited by their need for longer runways and are less capable of operating in adverse weather conditions or challenging landscapes. In critical situations where every second counts, the life-saving capabilities of helicopters can mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, when considering the urgency and complexities involved in search and rescue missions, the deployment of helicopters should be top priority to ensure that no life is lost unnecessarily.
A good former teacher and principal said it’s time to change tires when he realized that it was time to retire. Let a young innovative individual take the lead in our rescue who agree that we must live up to the times with the type of natural disasters occurring in our deck of the woods if you truly feel that way.
Given the geographical challenges and time-sensitive nature of medical emergencies, having this service in place would significantly improve access to lifesaving care and transportation for residents and visitors of the Sister Islands.
This is something the Ministrer of Health should invest into.
Dah man d**b
Having a multi-purpose helicopter that can collaborate with law enforcement agencies such as customs, immigration, and police offers for cost savings and justifies the usage of such a vessel. Helicopters can reach remote or difficult-to-access regions faster than a boat or vehicle, and they can hover over water, making them perfect for rescuing persons stuck on boats, reefs, or small islands. Helicopters can be equipped with thermal imaging and night vision to identify people in low-visibility situations at night during a rescue, which an aircraft cannot do.
Helicopters are critical for surveying damage following a hurricane or severe disaster, and they can also bring emergency relief to affected communities if an airport is damaged or closed. They may land on small helipads, beaches, and hard-to-reach locations. They are also essential for assessing damage following hurricanes, particularly on our outer islands. They can also rescue stranded people and provide emergency relief in afflicted areas.
The thought process must be directed toward a holistic perspective. A helicopter fits our profile since it has several islands with no landing zones and is more flexible than an airplane.
You also forgot the constant training for the flight crew, the fuel & maintenance and the hangar space for storage from the elements. All the drug money that is seized can be used to help offset the cost along with each passenger paying for using the service.
We can barely maintain a %^$£"g pickup truck, it's a helicopter? Is there a stupidity contest somewhere that everyone is trying to win? SMH!
A helicopter and a plane both is better than one.
less 1 million dollar party or other oppsie and we can buy a plane or helicopter. The politicians are fools to not invest in the safety of the people.
Then come time there is no money to buy a aircraft for the people be it a plane or helicopter. They never played sims and went to run a country.