You calling the workhorse of army aviation that name speaks volume.
From Wiki:
Government operators
- Canadian Forces has an order for 28 CH-148 helicopters.
- Emir of Kuwait operates 2 helicopters.
- Government of Qatar operates 1 helicopter.
- Government of the Republic of Korea operates 3 helicopters.[5]
- Government of Turkey operates 1 helicopter.
- Government of Turkmenistan operates 2 helicopters.
- Her Majesty's Coastguard operates 4 helicopters leased from CHC Helicopter
- 3 ordered for Thai Government
[edit] Civil operators
- Brunei Shell Petroleum – 3
- CHC Helicopter – 12
- Cougar Helicopters – 5
- Eastern General Aviation – 1
- Copterline of Finland – 1
- Aircontactgruppen AS – 6
- Norsk Helikopter – 6
- Gulf Helicopters – 1
- RDV Corporation – 1
- Blackwater USA
- Era Aviation – 3
- Petroleum Helicopters, Inc (PHI) – 9
- Washington Times Aviation – 1
Air force grounds Cormorant copters
HALIFAX (CP) - Flight restrictions have again been placed on Canada's fleet of Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters following the crash of a similar aircraft in Britain this week.
The air force said Thursday the Canadian helicopters will only be allowed to fly in emergencies until the tail rotors of each of the 15 aircraft can be inspected.
Lt.-Col. Charles Cue, commander of 413 Squadron in Greenwood, N.S., said the restrictions come following the crash of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter on Tuesday.
Five people were injured in the crash in Britain.
It is believed the cause of the accident involved cracks in the aircraft's tail rotor.
Cue admitted cracks have been found in the same area on the Cormorants, but said they haven't caused any problems.
"We have had cracking in the tail rotor hub, but we check the hub on a daily basis," he said. "If we find a problem, we take the part off and put a new one on. So far, it hasn't been an issue."
He said the rotors on both the Cormorant and the Merlin are roughly the same.
It's the second time since the beginning of the year that the Cormorants have been placed under restrictions.
In February, concerns were raised about potential fuel leaks.
The Italian-built helicopters have already had problems with cracking windscreens and console brackets.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
A Canadian Forces CH-149 of 413 Squadron based at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia crashed while conducting a night training exercise. Killed in the incident were Sgt. Duane Brazil, 39; Master Cpl. Kirk Noel, 33; and Cpl. Trevor McDavid, 31.
The aircraft was conducting a hoist operation at 12:30 AM local time near a Canadian Coast Guard Vessel. The helicopter ditched near the ship and suffered damage to the forward fuselage but remained floating. All seven crew were recovered from the wreckage. In addition to the three killed, four others were taken to hospital. One of the injured was transported by air ambulance to Halifax for further treatment.
The CH-149 is a Canadian designation for the AgustaWestland EH101 built in Italy. Canada purchased 15 for Search and Rescue duties. This is the first fatal crash in Canadian service. The aircraft were previously grounded due to cracks in critical rotor components which were believed to be the cause of the crash of a British Merlin (EH101) in 2004.
The aircraft involved was number 149914 indicating it was the 14th of the 15 aircraft delivered (serials 149901 to 149915).
And for the rest, do your own research. The internet is a useful tool, albeit imperfect.
Yet, considering it is based on the H-60 Crashhawk and Sikorsky's track record it's only a matter of time
Not based on the information, without substantiation, that you've provided.
Your very own words.
Do as I say, not as I do?