Can an aircraft limit be broken for SAR?
It was reported the other day that the crew of a RN SAR helo elected to fly above VNE in order to reach the scene of a rescue quicker and therefore have more fuel/time on scene to effect the rescue. Surely VNE is VNE or does the RN allow limits to be broken for lifesaving missions?
Moreover apparently having done the job and got the non critical casualty back to base they then refuelled and flew a now potentially unserviceable aircraft again to take him to the local hospital.
Not wanting to start a witch hunt but does this happen often?