NH-90: LEARNING FROM EACHOTHER     

DECK LANDINGS ON THE DUTCH 'ZR.MS. ZEELAND'  OPV
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OUR ARTICLE IN THIS LEADING DUTCH AVIATION MAGAZINE
  
BELGIAN PILOTS LEARN FROM THEIR DUTCH COLLEGUES TO LAND ON DECK OF SHIPS AND GET THEIR 'OWL' !
 
Belgian pilot Kenneth 'Birdie' got his 'Owl' or in Dutch 'Uiltje' after the examination 

LET'S TAKE YOU TO A DAY OF EXERCISING... EXERCISING... EXERCISING... i
The ship the pilots had to land and take-off the whole day concerned the ‘Zr.Ms. Zeeland’ a so called Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV)
Press-facility: Brought to the ship by superfast FRISC, fast Raiding Interception Special forces Craft !
The FRISC sails into the OPV, and is towed inside in the 'steel-beach'where you can step out of the boat
View at the bridge of the Zr.Ms. Zeeland
Commander Toebast welcomed us on the ship and explained about the cooperation with the Airforce landings
The Gerrmans delivered some cooperation on the ship as well, combined training in an exchange program
Every cooperation leads to more possibilities, expertise and more interchangeability
From the bridge the actions on the deck behind can be followed live
It's nice to see how professional everybody works watchful in serenity
Cooperation and integration is created of staff from different countries
The NH-90 can be the eyes and ears of the ship, data that can be used immediately on the bridge
Of course there are moments for a short break and / or a cup of coffee
In the afternoon the real work starts: Landing on deck. This picture shows how accurate it should be done
The Belgian NH-90
About to hit the deck, approaching from one side.....
.....and leaving again in a sort of touch-and-go on the other side again.
Not just once, but many times day's over !
This is a marvellous view so near to the landing helicopters
Not just the Belgians practiced, the Dutch as well with their NH-90 coming from the DHC (Defence Helicopter Command)
View from the bridge, a remote control operated canon, just in case nasty pirates might be around ... ;-)
The bridge is checking: Is it all okay and within wind limits ? 
Checking the slope of the ship and fluctuation. And by monitor checking the actual landings like this one, the DHC NH-90. 

IMPRESSION OF AN ACTUAL LANDING ON THE DECK i
Ship and helicopter must be able to rely on eachother
The Flight Deck Officer also judges the situation by 'feeling' (his feet) as it comes to the ships movements....
Time is right, lower the helicopter...
Easy now...
Almost....easy does it....
Last seconds...
On deck...touchdown !
Harpoon in the grid to secure helicopter to the ship...
There it is, fastened to the ships deck by the small harpoon in the grid right under the machine. All safe & sound !
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