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Naval
Forces News - Canada |
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First
CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter Fully Manned by RCAF Crew Lands on HMCS Halifax
Frigate |
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By
Sub-Lieutenant Patrick McCarthy, HMCS Halifax
Just off the coast of Nova Scotia recently, the sun shone on a milestone
achievement for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-148 Cyclone
helicopter project. The first Cyclone helicopter, fully manned by Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) personnel, successfully landed on a Canadian
warship at sea on January 27, 2016. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship
Halifax, the ship on which the first Cyclone landing occurred,
has been involved with CH-148 testing and training for the past year. |
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A CH-148
Cyclone helicopter practices landing procedures on Her Majesty’s
Canadian Ship Halifax off the coast of Nova Scotia on January 27, 2016.
PHOTO: Ordinary Seaman Raymond Kwan, RCN |
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HMCS Halifax began “ship helo operating limits”
(SHOL) trials in January 2015 and spent five months working with the
Cyclone helicopter conducting tests and trials in order to determine
operating limits and best practices for the new helicopter. Recommencing
SHOL trials in January 2016, the crew of Halifax were happy to a part
of this milestone flight for the RCAF.
“This milestone achievement represents a great step forward towards
full integration of the Cyclone helicopter into [Royal Canadian Navy]
operations,” said Commander Graham Roberts, the commanding officer
of HMCS Halifax. “Halifax has been extremely impressed with the
capabilities of the Cyclone over the past year and we look forward to
continuing to work with helicopter at sea in the coming months.”
Aircrew and ship’s crew shared similar sentiments. Captain Thomas
Munro of 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, located at 12 Wing Shearwater,
Nova Scotia, was the landing signals officer for the first landing.
He said he was excited to be a part of the ongoing integration of the
Cyclone helicopter and noted: “This week was an excellent opportunity
for pilot force generation and an important milestone in the maritime
helicopter project.”
Personnel at the Helicopter Operational Test and Evaluation Facility
(HOTEF) at 12 Wing have been working very hard to ensure milestones
such as this one are achieved.
“The CH-148 Cyclone landing on HMCS Halifax is a tangible representation
of the hard work and foundational effort the Helicopter Operational
Test and Evaluation has invested since acceptance of the aircraft. The
HOTEF continues to lead the introduction of the CH-148 weapon system
by proving the operational capabilities of the aircraft and its in-service
support structure,” said Major Travis Chapman, the HOTEF’s
commanding officer.
HMCS Halifax will continue to operate with the Cyclone helicopter fleet
for the remainder of the winter, conducting SHOL trials and furthering
the ongoing integration of the Cyclone helicopter into naval operations.
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