I think what a lot of people are assuming is that Jigsaw will be the same SAR as provided by the RAF/RN/HMCG.
It won't. It will be a much reduced version from what I hear. The commanders will be line pilots given a few hrs winching practise, the co-pilots will be even less experienced.
The crews will only be qualified to winch over the water and onto simple decks, no cliff/mountain exp required.
They will be there to remove casualties from danger and land them on a suitable rig for treatment.
Low viz approaches to airfields will not be required.
The main danger will be boredom but to relieve that I hear pilots will be required to fly the line every 3rd offshore rotation to satisfy the accountants as their hours will be low.
I for one will not be applying. I don't want to be on the end of the wire in poor conditions at night with an inexperienced SAR pilot at the controls
