ST, You may well be right, but my understanding was that the only problem was in the engine alone. Specifically that the engine was a different Mark to the civvy one - and the only difference was very small - a mod in the FCU/different FCU rings a bell??? That tiny difference results in a different Mark engine and so requres the telephone number cost of a total re-certification which is out of the question.
Either way, there is clearly no substantial difference between Mil and Civ Gazelles so the problem is merely a bureaucratic invention. Mil Gaz has been an extraordinarily safe and reliable helicopter so if the CAA chose to penalise it one has to wonder what on earth they are up to.
Still, I wouldnt want to fly in a Gaz that wasnt maintained by the Mil or Macs. I dont trust the others.
[This message has been edited by Fr O'Blivien (edited 27 April 2001).]