It seems to me that the TDA system as it stands does not work for short term SAROPS. How effective is VHF/UHF for warning of TDAs is of no use, especially for low level traffic in remote, hilly terrain? Robinsons are one thing, fast jets are quite another - I would be very surprised if there hasn't been a case of a military jets innocently busting TDAs.
Interested in the selection of 121.5, particularly as low level coverage is poor to the North and West of Manchester (according to the AIP). If I was aware of a Sea King on SAROPS in the vicinity, I would have chosen 123.1 to listen to on my solitary radio rather than 121.5. Obviously the scene of search frequency is no longer used.
Sandy,
Very few R22s are public transport - I have never seen an R22 with two radios. The R44s that I have flown which were public transport only had one radio. I think (and I am open to be corrected on this one) it is flight conditions ie IFR/VFR and airspace that dictates how many radios are carried.