(Editor’s Note: Last week, in Through the Air Over South Texas I was able to feature some of our brothers and sisters in the Civil Air Patrols or other nations. Among them was the Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol of Great Britain. I was greatly honored to communicate with Mr. Arnold Parker, the founder of the SWCAP and was pleased that he contributed this article. Please enjoy this message from our friends “across the pond” -Major Carrales)
SKY WATCH CIVIL AIR PATROL
by Mr. Arnold Parker
Founder of the Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol
United Kingdom—In July 2000 two little girls, Sophie George (8) and Kymberley Allcock (8) were killed by a train whilst playing on a remote railway bridge near Borth, West Wales. This tragedy caused “The Sky Watch” to be formed to get pilots of light aircraft to look out for people in dangerous situations and radio Air Traffic Control to relay a 999 call to the appropriate Emergency Services – hopefully to stop instances turning into tragedies.
The basic “flying look out” is still an important role but increased training operations, air patrols and assistance to the emergency services prompted the name change a couple of years ago from “The Sky Watch” to “Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol” to more accurately reflect the operations of the service.
Pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel completely free of charge. Any pilot with a radio license is welcome to join but it is certainly not a “Dad’s Army” of amateur do-gooders with a Biggles complex. The average SWCAP private pilot has well over 1,000 flying hours. In addition there is a strong central core of current and retired professionals from the RAF., Airlines, Police Aviation, Air Ambulance, Army Air Corps, Navy Aircrew and Instructors.
Sky Watch developed its own Training Manual which is highly regarded in emergency aviation circles. The service mushroomed into a Registered Charity and is now the largest voluntary air observation and search service in Europe with over 200 aircraft - mainly light aeroplanes suited to air observation work, including several helicopters and autogyros.
A central core of about 75 “Responders” - Pilots and Observers trained inair observation and search are linked with the RAF Aeronautical Rescue Co- ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss, Coastguard, plus some Mountain Rescue, Police, and Regional Emergency Co-ordinators. “Responders” have covered numerous cases such as locating downed aircraft, finding missing persons, assisting in air search for Air Accident Investigation, fire patrols, etc. Last year the service achieved its first “Life Saved.”
SKY WATCH CIVIL AIR PATROL
by Mr. Arnold Parker
Founder of the Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol
United Kingdom—In July 2000 two little girls, Sophie George (8) and Kymberley Allcock (8) were killed by a train whilst playing on a remote railway bridge near Borth, West Wales. This tragedy caused “The Sky Watch” to be formed to get pilots of light aircraft to look out for people in dangerous situations and radio Air Traffic Control to relay a 999 call to the appropriate Emergency Services – hopefully to stop instances turning into tragedies.The basic “flying look out” is still an important role but increased training operations, air patrols and assistance to the emergency services prompted the name change a couple of years ago from “The Sky Watch” to “Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol” to more accurately reflect the operations of the service.
Pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel completely free of charge. Any pilot with a radio license is welcome to join but it is certainly not a “Dad’s Army” of amateur do-gooders with a Biggles complex. The average SWCAP private pilot has well over 1,000 flying hours. In addition there is a strong central core of current and retired professionals from the RAF., Airlines, Police Aviation, Air Ambulance, Army Air Corps, Navy Aircrew and Instructors.
Sky Watch developed its own Training Manual which is highly regarded in emergency aviation circles. The service mushroomed into a Registered Charity and is now the largest voluntary air observation and search service in Europe with over 200 aircraft - mainly light aeroplanes suited to air observation work, including several helicopters and autogyros.
A central core of about 75 “Responders” - Pilots and Observers trained inair observation and search are linked with the RAF Aeronautical Rescue Co- ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss, Coastguard, plus some Mountain Rescue, Police, and Regional Emergency Co-ordinators. “Responders” have covered numerous cases such as locating downed aircraft, finding missing persons, assisting in air search for Air Accident Investigation, fire patrols, etc. Last year the service achieved its first “Life Saved.”
No comments:
Post a Comment