Originally Posted by
ChristopherRobin
Ah... but Ireland isn't just SAR... It's SAR and HEMS, which doesn't have the alleviations UK has. Then, when all of the wide-ranging requirements have to be embodied on a single type, there will be clear blue water between a 92 and a 189. And is a 189 faster than a 92 when you hang sensors and hoists of it? errr, no.
As
detgnome says above, the 189 is faster in SAR role. I have about 7 years in both types and in roles. They both have there strength and weaknesses, for example flying in the S-92 in the mountains is far more comfortable from a turbulence standpoint but far safer in a 189 from a power available standpoint. Iv had 4 doctors, 2 stretcher casualties plus all kit required for the critically ill people in the stretchers in the back of 189.... you would be surprised how much you can fit in. It will do SAR and Hems at least as well as S-92 (its PC1 performance is much better even with its random clear area departure profile).