Originally Posted by
TukTuk BoomBoom
I also heard the 76D does not meet the latest JARs in the same way that the EP also doesnt meet them but the 139 does.
The whole point of the exercise is to dodge around the JAR regs. By making use of grandfather rights a lot of corners can be cut whilst not seriously compromising anything. You can fit safe stroking seats and beef up the airframe and fuel fuel safety provisions to within a few percentage points of the JAR without actually having to go the whole way.
And look at the changes that result... graft a JAR standard new EC135 nose on a BK117 and visually you appear to have a whole new machine. But you still have the option of 'ignoring' the bits of JAR that might get in the way of the sale, like having to seat everyone in JAR seats if that is operationally awkward.
I would expect that the new S76D will play just that sort of game.
Saves lots of money too.