Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 3 Part 5 Helicopters Revision 2.00 Uncontrolled copy not subject to amendment

Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 3 Know the aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force

Helicopters –Chinook HC2 / HC2A / HC3 –Merlin HC3 / HC3A –Puma HC1 –Griffin HAR2 / HT1 –Squirrel HT1 –Sea King HAR3 / HAR3A –Agusta A109E Contents

Chinook HC2 / HC2A / HC3 Reporting NameChinook Role Letters & MarksHC2 / HC2A / HC3 RoleHeavy-Lift Helicopter

Chinook HC2 / HC2A

Chinook HC3

Chinook HC2 / HC2A / HC3 The Chinook is a tandem-rotored, twin engined medium- lift helicopter with a crew of four. It can carry up to 45 fully equipped troops or up to 11 tonnes of equipment either internally or under-slung. A number of Chinook HC2 helicopters have recently been updated to HC2A standard with modifications to increase the strength of the airframe. The Chinook HC3 is the RAF version of the US MH-47E Special Operations Chinook The Chinook HC3 can be distinguished from the HC2 by its larger fuel sponsons and longer nose.

Chinook HC2 / HC2A Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 18.29M LENGTH 15.54M (HC2) 15.9M (HC3) CREW 4 MAXIMUM SPEED157kts (291km/h) at max. weight ENGINES 2 x Avco Lycoming T55-L-712 turboshafts (HC2) 2x Honeywell 55-GA-714 turboshafts (HC3)

Merlin HC3 / HC3A Reporting NameMerlin Role Letters & MarksHC3 / HC3A RoleMedium-Lift Helicopter

Merlin HC3

Merlin HC3A

Merlin HC3 / HC3A Merlin HC3 is operated by 28 Sqn (HC3) and 78 Sqn (HC3A) at RAF Benson Merlin replaced the Westland Wessex in RAF service Six Merlin HC3As were purchased from the Royal Danish Air Force in 2007 to provide additional capacity on operations in Afghanistan Main visual difference between HC3 and HC3A is that they have different noses.

Merlin HC3 Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 18.59M LENGTH 22.81M CREW 2 Pilots 1 Crew OPERATING SPEED167kts (309 km/h) ENGINES shp Rolls-Royce turbomeca RTM 322

Puma HC1 Reporting NamePuma Role Letters & MarksHC1 RoleAssault Transport Helicopter

Puma HC1

The Puma entered service in the RAF in It has auto pilot, a heated, ventilated and sound-proofed cabin, retractable undercarriage, and modern navigation and search systems. The Puma has many roles but in the RAF it is used as a tactical transport and support helicopter with a casualty evacuation capability. It can carry 16 fully equipped troops, or 6 stretchers and 6 sitting patients. A 3,200 kgs under-slung cargo can be carried. The tailboom, rotor blades and wheels can be removed to allow transportation in a Hercules to any theatre of operation.

Puma HC1Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 15.1M LENGTH 14.1M CREW 3 MAXIMUM SPEED142kts at max weight 158kts when lighter ENGINES Two Turbomeca Turmo turboshafts

Griffin HT1 / HAR2 Reporting NameGriffin Role Letters & MarksHT1 / HAR2 RoleHelicopter Training & Search & Rescue

Griffin HT1 / HAR2

The Griffin HT1, a training helicopter, it is operated within the Defence Helicopter Flying School, a combined operation by FR Aviation, Bristow Helicopters and SERCO, to train helicopter pilots for all three services. First entered service in 1997, civilian contractor owned and operated. Manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, the essentially similar Bell 212s are operated by Brunei.

Griffin HT1 / HAR2 Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 14.02M LENGTH 12.92M CREW 2 MAXIMUM SPEED258km/h (161mph) ENGINE Two Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3D turboshafts

Squirrel HT1 Reporting NameSquirrel Role Letters & MarksHT1 RoleHelicopter Training

Squirrel HT1

The Squirrel HT1 is used for advanced helicopter training at RAF Shawbury Manufactured by Aerospatiale (now Eurocopter) in France

Squirrel HT1Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 10.69M LENGTH 12.94M CREW 2 MAXIMUM SPEED 144mph ENGINE 1 x Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft

Sea King HAR3 / HAR3A Reporting NameSea King Role Letters & MarksHAR3 / HAR3A RoleHelicopter Training

Sea King HAR3 / HAR3A

The Squirrel HT1 is used for advanced helicopter training at RAF Shawbury. Manufactured by Aerospatiale (now Eurocopter) in France.

Sea King HAR3 / HAR3A Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 18.9m LENGTH 22.15m CREW 4 MAXIMUM SPEED 125kts ENGINE Two Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshafts

Augusta A109E Reporting NameAugusta A109E Role Letters & Marks RoleHelicopter

Augusta A109E

Augusta A109E Technical Data ROTOR DIAMETER 10.99M LENGTH 13.07M CREW 1 MAXIMUM SPEED 168kts ENGINE 2 x Pratt & Whitney 206C Turboshafts

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