It is a matter of availability of airframes...... there are not many aircranes around and Ericson has all the rites to the drawings from Sikorsky.
You can't buy what isn't available. it is in Ericson's best interest ($$$) to move them between fire seasons at the customers expense rather than sell them to the Austrailian Government.
Ah, BigKahuna, thats what i like ... an answer. I did not know that the above was the case .. makes sense .. it all comes down to $$ in the end !
