Helicopter was a good buy
WHEN President Jagdeo confirmed at a press briefing of Friday, February 15th last that the Administration would boost its security substantially by the procurement of helicopters, the aircraft that had been loaned to the Government by the Trinidad authorities was operating within specific locations and areas along the coast and elsewhere.
Similar to several Caribbean countries, Guyana has a limited indigenous capacity to maintain over a period that could be protracted (3: 6: 9: months) helicopters that are costly to acquire, to maintain and operate. In the case of the Bell 206 a number of points ought to be examined and understood.
* The heliship conforms with the manufacturers’ regulations that sets out under what kind of conditions – tropical, temperate or artic -- the helicopter would be operational.
* The features, components and technology that the Bell 206 carries also is a matter that the buyer must regard as a security principle. The buyer even after the aircraft has been paid for entirely, has an obligation to ensure that the relevant technology does not become stolen, or copied by another agency or manufacturer.
* The helicopter differs from the Type 412 in that there is a limitation on the numbers of passengers that can be transported. Additionally, the GDF 412 reproduces considerably more “blowback” or gravity/earth to “air push” when the craft is about to land or become airborne.
These are only some of the comparative advantages that the Bell 206 possesses in terms of its utility for crime-fighting, for discharging repellants as a deterrent and most important for a rapid low altitude (or below cloud) deployment as a surveillance machine.
But I would be reluctant to dispute with those who would have preferred the repair and rehabilitation of the Bell 412. What is certain is that the time factor must have impacted on the alternative/s. Further if one examines the performance of the Bell 206 (admittedly alongside of more powerful rotor driven aircaft) in instances such as search/rescue at Katrina, Hurricanes Mitch and Dean as well as during the most recent El Nina flood storms at the beginning of this year, then it would emerge that the Guyana government has made a good decision.
EDDI RODNEY
