- let alone trying to stay OEI in the hover for the training.
Operations fine but HHO training I am led to believe it isn't suitable for.
What are you talking about.
Even with worst temperature at sea level with no wind assisting, you have 3100 kg for 2 min and over 3450 kg for 30 sec.
So with empty weight around 2300 kg, plus 6 crew on board/on winch you can have a good hours fuel and be always be able to hover for 2 ½ min OEI (add the 30 sec to the 2 min, cause you can use both)
Time enough to get the hoist operation finished or clear enough, that you can transition into forward flight.
Any wind will dramatically increase possible weight.
on the other hand, why put an instructor on the skid?
You can do that in the initial phase, catching a wooden cross with lines, after that, the winchoperator should be fit enough to work the winch.
If you insist on an instructor, he could look out of the other door or use the the tail camera...
Three on one side (SWAT) isn ˋt any problem.