Originally Posted by
gulliBell
Would a BK117 be an odd choice of aircraft employed in the role of single pilot IFR over water winching at night?
Most but not all SAR machines in NZ are BK 117. The thing is one mission will be a Medivac from a road accident, the next a climber injured at 8000 feet, then a fisherman injured in the southern ocean. Given the weather and the hectares to people ratio here it is more about providing some timely coverage rather than the perfect solution for every possible call out.
In some areas the coverage is a Squirrel, which I suspect would still be a very welcome site should you need a ride to the nearest hospital.