Post by Humberside on Nov 12, 2009 12:33:46 GMT
Helicopter search and rescue crews from RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, are temporarily suspending night flights.
Officers have given assurances that crews from other search and rescue bases will provide emergency cover for the six-week stand down.
The RAF's six search and rescue flights are suspending night flights on a rota basis to maintain cover in the Falkland Islands.
It follows a reduction in search and rescue crews from 28 to 24 as part of an efficiency drive, and the night flying cutback is necessary to prevent fatigue among crews.
Squadron Leader Dave Webster, from search and rescue headquarters at RAF Valley, in Wales, said night flights at RAF Leconfield would be suspended from November 29 to January 10 next year.
He said: "We want to assure people that coverage for emergencies at night will be provided by search and rescue flights from other bases. "It might take a bit longer for the helicopter to reach an incident, but all areas will still get 24-hour cover."
All search and rescue flights are directed by the UK Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Kinloss, Scotland.
Officers have given assurances that crews from other search and rescue bases will provide emergency cover for the six-week stand down.
The RAF's six search and rescue flights are suspending night flights on a rota basis to maintain cover in the Falkland Islands.
It follows a reduction in search and rescue crews from 28 to 24 as part of an efficiency drive, and the night flying cutback is necessary to prevent fatigue among crews.
Squadron Leader Dave Webster, from search and rescue headquarters at RAF Valley, in Wales, said night flights at RAF Leconfield would be suspended from November 29 to January 10 next year.
He said: "We want to assure people that coverage for emergencies at night will be provided by search and rescue flights from other bases. "It might take a bit longer for the helicopter to reach an incident, but all areas will still get 24-hour cover."
All search and rescue flights are directed by the UK Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Kinloss, Scotland.
www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/RAF-helicopter-rescue-crews-suspend-night-flights/article-1509096-detail/article.html