For the 1 million Dollars to get the sky crane here and back before a rotor blade is turned also adds to the cost. The skycrane is still the local aussie hero.
It is upsetting for the local operators when overseas 212's arrive for the summer, why does casa allow the use of local aoc's to overseas companys. They frown at locals using other aoc's, but a blind eye to overseas is acceptable.
Yes the price is good also from overseas company's, as they are already operating max hours in their summer, so the company comes to oz for a working holiday
TH