Coo
Yes they are free, all except for hospital to hospital transfers. Everything else is free including taking off and then getting stood down and returning home. It is a common misconception that the SARF charge, they just don't.
Though to be fair there is a charge levied in the Falklands, but I believe that this revenue goes to the Falklands Govt and the military see none of it.
Downwash problems, yep they are heavy and the downwash is more severe, but they can take the strecher bound cas, the relatives, a couple of doctors, nurses etc and then they can fly in the crappest weather and at night to and from a field in the middle of nowhere.
But the most important thing to remeber is that we are all on the same side. As long as the cas gets to hospital asap and in the best condition possible we all win as does the cas.