A grounded Mi-17 helicopter earmarked for the Air Search and Rescue (SAR) Service is already performing its role
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- Date: 24.02.2018
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A grounded Mi-17 helicopter earmarked for the Air Search and Rescue (SAR) Service has already been test-flown and is fully capable and ready to perform SAR missions in support of domestic crisis management. The test-flight was required after the prescribed work on the helicopter had been completed in previous days.
The temporary halt of operations of the SVK Air Force Mi-17 fleet has in no way threatened the defence capability of the Slovak Republic. The execution of SAR missions over the period the SAR helicopters could not be airborne was delivered in line with the Mutual Cooperation Agreement on Aircraft Searches and Assistance in Rescue Operations in the Event of Air Disaster by the SVK Interior Ministry-operated helicopters. Meanwhile, the SVK Air Force put their SAR ground teams from its air bases and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on stand-by to assist in emergencies.
The temporary grounding of the Mi-17 helicopter fleet was ordered in an attempt to check the system of helicopter engine stock inventories over the past years. This is a preventive measure to eliminate any suspicion that the operation of the helicopters could in any way put the lives of pilots, crews or passengers in harm’s way. For the SVK MOD and Armed Forces, flight safety is No. 1 priority. The MOD will provide more information once all the checks which go all the way back to the procurement of the engines in 2006 have been completed.
The temporary halt of operations of the SVK Air Force Mi-17 fleet has in no way threatened the defence capability of the Slovak Republic. The execution of SAR missions over the period the SAR helicopters could not be airborne was delivered in line with the Mutual Cooperation Agreement on Aircraft Searches and Assistance in Rescue Operations in the Event of Air Disaster by the SVK Interior Ministry-operated helicopters. Meanwhile, the SVK Air Force put their SAR ground teams from its air bases and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on stand-by to assist in emergencies.
The temporary grounding of the Mi-17 helicopter fleet was ordered in an attempt to check the system of helicopter engine stock inventories over the past years. This is a preventive measure to eliminate any suspicion that the operation of the helicopters could in any way put the lives of pilots, crews or passengers in harm’s way. For the SVK MOD and Armed Forces, flight safety is No. 1 priority. The MOD will provide more information once all the checks which go all the way back to the procurement of the engines in 2006 have been completed.
