A comment on Jack's item on the A109 for Phoenix.
As I read it that acquisition does not seem to suggest they are replacing their MD520N fleet with the Power. This is a new SAR requirement with the local fire department.
If anything though it does suggest that Phoenix have rejected the Explorer.
Some further thoughts on the potential of the EC145 that came to mind overnight relate to accomodation. I suspect that 'Grandfather Rights' will make it work but, if it is assumed that sticking a firearms team in an EC145 will require them to all have JAR stroking/crashworthy seats I think it will not work if they are over 6 feet [1.9M] tall. If they sit 'on the floor' it should work.
In the Euro environment this could not work in a 135 because it is pure JAR27 and [as I understand it] stroking seats for all aboard are required. Vive la BK117C2.........
Anyone want to insert the Bell 427 and the AB139 into the assessment?