NH-90 gets pilots buzzing

[Flanker27]

http://www.nu.nl/politiek/3689697/pilot ... ehoor.html

In short:
(courtesy of Google Translate).
Defense is researching potential noise problems for pilots of the new NH-90 helicopter.

Following complaints from crew members about noise or beeps in the ear after they had flown.
To avoid the risk of permanent hearing damage may result, only pilots flying in the NH-90 up to one hour.Only if there is an operational need , that limitation may be waived . That Minister Jeanine Hennis - Plasschaert Defense Friday reported to the House .
Though according to her measurements indicate that the health and safety standards are not exceeded, in response to the complaints of the nature and cause of the noise investigated.

measures

Based on the findings , which are expected in a few weeks the minister looks at whether measures are necessary .
Meanwhile viewed or sound absorbing material can be applied in the helicopter . Defence also ask the manufacturer and other users of it if they have similar problems .
Defense stressed that the NH- 90 can still be used for missions such as the fight against pirates off the coast of Somalia , and that all other tasks can be performed .

NH -90
Defence has ordered 20 AH -90 in total. Of these there are now flying around eleven , ten are used for the training of crew members and one is along on mission to Somalia .
The NH -90 has not come without a fight . Thus Defence was facing technical difficulties , financial setbacks and other problems , including delays in delivery

[Stratofreighter]

The Sikorsy S-92 has been associated with causing hearing problems not all that long ago.
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/362452 ... g-s92.html .

Cockpit noise is increasingly becoming a hazard according to
http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public/PubFullT ... 111-05.pdf
which compares several RAF and Royal Navy types.
The Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopters were also not all that "safe" in this respect, apparently.

[Hurricane]

http://www.nu.nl/politiek/3689697/pilot ... ehoor.html(courtesy of Google Translate).
NH -90
Defence has ordered 20 NH-90 in total. Of these there are now flying around eleven , ten are used for the training of crew members and one is along on mission to Somalia .

Uhm, not entirely true. Eleven delivered so far, that is true. Two helicopters are down in Gilze-Rijen for maintenance (at least 6 months per a/c, first expected back in February 2014), 1 stored at WOE prior to upgrade, 1 currently just entering the retrofit upgrade in Italy (after being stored for almost 3 years) so from these eleven only seven can be used. Leaving six available for training flights.

[MADFOX]

http://www.nu.nl/politiek/3689697/pilot ... ehoor.html(courtesy of Google Translate).
NH -90
Defence has ordered 20 NH-90 in total. Of these there are now flying around eleven , ten are used for the training of crew members and one is along on mission to Somalia .

Uhm, not entirely true. Eleven delivered so far, that is true. Two helicopters are down in Gilze-Rijen for maintenance (at least 6 months per a/c, first expected back in February 2014), 1 stored at WOE prior to upgrade, 1 currently just entering the retrofit upgrade in Italy (after being stored for almost 3 years) so from these eleven only seven can be used. Leaving six available for training flights.

Two at VLB Gilze-Rijen?

[Hurricane]

Two at VLB Gilze-Rijen?

Yup, N-227 and N-228 have their 600 flying hours inspection here.
Edit: As Otto reported N-228 seen at EHKD yesterday this frame completed her maintenance visit earlier then foreseen, leaving only N-227 at GZR!

[roberto]

It seems the problem is getting worse as first pilots were allowed to fly 2 hours a day and now 1 hour.
I heard from a reliable source that German and Finnish crews are allowed to fly 2 hours a week.
This source also mentioned that the problem of this noise is probably the airco.

It is time to make the decision to let 303sqn fly 2 more years or decide to get new helicopters for the SAR.
At this moment it is impossible to train sufficient enough crews for the SAR role and the NH90 is not capable enough for the SAR/medevac role.
There is also a rumour that the SAR/medevac role could be a complete civilian task in Holland in the future, which is not what our politicians promised us some years ago.

[Rockville]

Uhm, not entirely true. Eleven delivered so far, that is true. Two helicopters are down in Gilze-Rijen for maintenance (at least 6 months per a/c, first expected back in February 2014), 1 stored at WOE prior to upgrade, 1 currently just entering the retrofit upgrade in Italy (after being stored for almost 3 years) so from these eleven only seven can be used. Leaving six available for training flights.

Do you know which one is stored at Woensdrecht?

[MADFOX]

Uhm, not entirely true. Eleven delivered so far, that is true. Two helicopters are down in Gilze-Rijen for maintenance (at least 6 months per a/c, first expected back in February 2014), 1 stored at WOE prior to upgrade, 1 currently just entering the retrofit upgrade in Italy (after being stored for almost 3 years) so from these eleven only seven can be used. Leaving six available for training flights.

Do you know which one is stored at Woensdrecht?

N164.

[Otto]

Two at VLB Gilze-Rijen?

Yup, N-227 and N-228 have their 600 flying hours inspection here.

N 228 was seen at de Kooy yesterday.....

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Rockville]

N164.

Thanks.

[Hurricane]

It seems the problem is getting worse as first pilots were allowed to fly 2 hours a day and now 1 hour.
I heard from a reliable source that German and Finnish crews are allowed to fly 2 hours a week.
This source also mentioned that the problem of this noise is probably the airco.

It is time to make the decision to let 303sqn fly 2 more years or decide to get new helicopters for the SAR.
At this moment it is impossible to train sufficient enough crews for the SAR role and the NH90 is not capable enough for the SAR/medevac role.
There is also a rumour that the SAR/medevac role could be a complete civilian task in Holland in the future, which is not what our politicians promised us some years ago.

Germany and Finland restrictions are set at 90 minutes a day. Germany also ordered new helmets (custom fitted) to fight the noise and these tests look promising. However custom helmets for all crewmember might be an expensive option for us.

The SAR calls en mission flights are an exception for the NH90 as stated by our Minister of Defence today. The time restriction only affects training/non urgent flights. As NHV already has the night stand-by SAR contract and recently succeeded on gaining the offshore evacuation contract they are positioned well for gaining all SAR duties. This does not mean the NH90 will be useless as the crews continue training for these tasks for ship borne qualifications.

[wamovements]

Since when is the Finnish restriction as they flew Fairford-Finland in one day?

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Olli J.]

It seems the problem ...

Germany and Finland restrictions are set at 90 minutes a day. Germany also ordered new helmets (custom fitted) to fight the noise and these tests look promising. However custom helmets for all crewmember might be an expensive option for us.

The SAR calls ...

Are you sure Hurricane? In November 2013 they did 2h missions in Bückeburg

[Hurricane]

Are you sure Hurricane? In November 2013 they did 2h missions in Bückeburg

Since when is the Finnish restriction as they flew Fairford-Finland in one day?
[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Fist reports about the restrictions surfaced from September 2013. And countries cant do nothing about this so Germany purchased TopOwl helmets with better noise suppression and FLIR integration. That solved most of the noise complaints and after test completion the entire ban should be lifted (did not find confirmation of test completion) so by trial and error they widen the boundaries.