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Old 12th February 2005 | 18:16
  #49 (permalink)  
NickLappos
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
Gomer,
You hit the nail right on. The question is always "what more can I do, what will it cost to do it, and what can I charge for doing it?" Then we can price the extra business against the cost and decide. But until the procedure is a possibility we can't even whip out the calculator!

I think that we have seen the progression of helo ops toward full capability, just like airplanes went, but 40 years later. We actually debated if we should offer a VFR-only S-76!! We built and tested it, certified it, and sold ONE! Deice is the next boundary, and we will accept that as needed, ordinary and ho hum.

Then, I contend that full zero zero approach to helipads will be needed just to compete, probably in less than a decade. Yes, it will take a full autopilot, but it will help eliminate any reason to cancel, it will help eliminate CFIT and it will make helo ops as reliable as airplane ops. One accident for the fleet per decade would pay for every autopilot.

After we get zero-zero to helipads, I predict that we will have to develop zero-zero approach to anywhere (yes, anywhere) so that helo ops will be brought to a level of assurance and safety that makes them available everywhere.
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