Interim Islander for Air Search
CHANNEL Islands Air Search is closer to being back in the skies following the arrival of an interim Islander aircraft.
Its original aircraft, Lion's Pride, crashed during a rescue mission last November, leaving the islands without the vital service while the charity investigated replacements.
The initial plan was to have a three-stage aircraft replacement process to reach its ultimate goal of a brand new Islander.
However, CIAS chief officer, Colin Ferbrache, said: 'The first interim aircraft in this phase was found to have a number of defects, which would have considerably lengthened the time Channel Islanders would be without any air search and rescue cover had we waited for the necessary repairs to be carried out.
'Conscious that we are entering into the busy summer season, we didn't feel the extra wait was justified.
'We have therefore managed to acquire a temporary Islander.
'Although not equipped with any search and rescue technology, it will at least give us visual capability and we'll carry a portable laptop and VHF marine radio, to allow us to communicate with SAR coordination centres and other search organisations.'
The plane is primarily for training and he hopes to be operational shortly.
