Originally Posted by
Lioncopter2
As someone who has done 8 years of SAR in an 92 and 7 years in a 189 I can tell you the differences in capability is not as much as you might expect.
Can you fit more people in a 92 than a 189 yes, It’s bigger.
Can a 189 go faster than a 92, absolutely.
Does the 189 have significantly more power available through most operating weights, yes.
Is a 92 better in turbulent conditions yes.
Are the avionics and autopilot mostly better in a 189, yep.
Range wise (configured as I have flown them), there is not allot in it, both go out about as far as each other on a full tank, though the 92 might win by 10-20nm (at most).
Could you fit 15 people in the back of a 189… mmmm if you had to probably, it would not be comfortable, people sitting on people but it’s SAR, if they are going to die if you don’t then you will find a way.
Thinking about it… 8 in seats, four with their backs to the door on far side from winch, and another four between their legs. That would take you to half way across the cabin and then get the Winchman in door closed and guys on floor can spread out a bit. Getting the stretcher in with that many people on board would be a problematic… if there was a stretcher you might be better off doing that first… don’t know to be honest.
Thinking aloud how 3 decades ago, the USCG felt with replacing their legacy Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican with the HH-60J Jayhawk ….yes the Jayhawk modern at time, but lacked amphibious hull and pax …
Cheers