JAT, Hammer, the contract the present services have states that the aircraft be single pilot IFR. When CareFlight got rid of the 412, and picked up that rather disgusting excuse for a replacement, the auto pilot did not work. After it was evident that this would not be fixed quickly they were financially punished by health.
It is interesting to note that for several years the surfies operated their machine 2 pilot IFR, as it did not have an auto pilot. They quite often did not meet the requirement as they did not always have a co pilot.
At the end of the day it does not matter how much value the community get out of a machine that is IFR, it all boils down to the fact that the contract states that the aircraft will meet certain specs.
I have said this before, the problem that the NGO's have is that they think they run the show, and they treat the customer like they are morons! If they lose the contract it will be largly because of their appalling attitude and treatment of the customer.
They can then bleat to the media and try to do their normal spin doctoring in trying to do what they did 10 years ago and have the successfull tender winner kicked out.
Thank god the tender closes on WED 12 July, lets hope the Govt gets it right this time!!
fatty