There is some debate about the performance of the army aviation units in the earthquake relief effort, especially about their inability to land helicopters in the epicenter during the early hours after the earthquake. The official explanation was bad weather (heavy rain, high wind etc.) prevented them from doing so. Do you all think this is a valid reason?
On another aspect, reading this forum, it said China had ~250 Mi-17, but it seems the government need to call upon a large number of helicopters from the civil aviation services to get 100-120 helicopters to join the rescue effort...
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1. Although there are 5oo copters currentlly in service,but half of them are z-9 types, which is not suitalbe for high altitude task. The military commander must keep at least half of the remaining 250 Mi-171 at military base just for preparetion of any urgent military task, and also, make sure that the PLA's military transportation ability is not severely affected by the earthquake. i think this expain why they only send 60-90 military copter to join in relife work there.
2. I think PLA copter forces did not do a very good job at the very beganning, "Grandpa Wen" once warned the military commander when they claimed that the situation in epicenter is not suitable for landing," you are raised by the people, you guys should know what to do (at current situation )", this is very sharp words considering PM's easy going personality, and every people could tell that he is not satified with PLAAF's performance!
personally, i also can not agree with the excuse of military commander that the situation is too danger, because solider should never be detered by danger, not to mention there were tens of thousand people were waiting for rescure!@