TomC:
This is a really important point you make and sadly fact and logic are not on your side.
You say:
"The CAA have categorically confirmed they will not allow single engine IFR ops over the UK. The have exercised their veto to JAA to cater for this.
Have to say....I agree. One engine, simplex ancilliaries, doesn't matter how good/expensive your IF suite is.
I know that US stats refute this, but one can make stats do anything."
The UK do not produce these stats because they do not support the dogma... It is a disgrace.
The decision for two engines and dual systems for helicopters in particular is bogus based on emotion and political factors.
The actual chance of having a helicopter fall on your head is the public's main concern.(of course there are other concerns)
Concerning two hypothetical Aircraft A&B:
Helicopter A has two of everything.
Helicopter B only has one of everything.
A: is complex and unreliable - often having major system failures and falls out of the sky often.
B: is simple and is exceptionally reliable only two cases ever of a powerplant failure over many examples the cause of which has been rectified. No known system failures.
A: If ONE of something fails it is possible that there will be no consequence.
B: If one of something fails it WILL fall on someone's head.
A: Will fall on someone's head (house roof etc) more often per hour.
B: Will not often fall on anyone's head. Less heads will be fallen upon per hour.
Political Problem:
If B falls on someone's head the arguement that 'had it had two of whatever critical component which failed it could have avoided falling upon the unfortunate head' will be politically victorious. - A beaurocratic head would probably be forced to roll.
Logic:
Many more A type helicopters will fall on people's heads than had they been B types.
B types would be preferable.
Stating the consequences two ways makes the problem clear (I hope).
TC: IMHView your ability to blatantly disregard the facts to support your emotional view is counter productive. It is understandable since you have been emmersed in a redundant systems culture in the Mil and in your work. Much more profit for vested intrests to sell a/c with more systems and more engines(four next perhaps).
It will be a painfull process but logic will eventually win and you will be one of the 'old guard' .... the type which perhaps desite the logic would still think pedestrians with RED FLAGS infront of cars should stay.
Anyone else think we should still have the red flags?
Incidentally are you one of the pilots which race around at night with your panel lights too bright, cocooned in the imagined saftey of your twin engined machine at 3-500ft between ops when you could be a 1500ft and not wake up my baby and not give helicopters a bad name on noise?
...no offence, afterall you do a great job really. And you are a fellow helicopter pilot.
