Re: UK Coastguard SAR - Bristow out??
With 2 pilots and seastate 5 floats the S92 weight is 17800 lbs, max gross is 26150 lbs, full fuel 5100 lbs, payload 3350 lbs.
When speed is 150 or above the level of vibration is very high. i hope they will have to come up with a new modern rotorsystem like the 225...
The autopilot has to be improved, in alt,vert speed and airspeed mode 3 cue/4axis its inaccurate.
If you adjust collective when coupled in alt mode it will start climb/descend +- 200`, in vertical-speed mode it will never give what you set on the bug, airspeed mode adjustmens are usually very slow.
Reminds me of an old 332L 4axis Puma...
But Sikorsky`s working on it, but i guess they have a lot of improvements to work on...
I belive and hear the "pilot grin factor" is quite higher in the "grandfather" 225
Best wishes and safe flights in the new year.