Originally Posted by
rrekn
The EC135 has won many similar training contracts (UK, Germany, Australia) due to the fact it's a twin, but that also brings increased costs (and complexities for a student pilot), I think the combination of IFR capability combined with the low running costs of a single won the day.
Like all US Defense contracts, I'm sure there was a senator or congressman from Philadelphia that had something to do with it too...
In Australia the Military that are operating in a training role and didn't choose it are crying into their beer. It is woefully under-performing and rumour has it to train for hoisting they can't carry enough fuel to leave the confines of Nowra!