Night Watchman - either you don't understand the difference between flying below MSA IMC and using the autopilot to let you down or you are being deliberately obtuse. It's not coupled until you engage the Trans Down mode, until that point you are simply using the ASE element of the autopilot for stabilisation and heading hold - that is like normal cruising flight - do the CAA allow that below MSA IMC?
Nick - SAR(H) are supposedly running the award of contracts and will be instrumental in deciding the numbers of military/civilian crews after 2012; right at the beginning of the project it was stated that there would be no loss of capability when the new contract is awarded. The present interim contract complies with this since the S61s didn't have NVG or a 360 (ish) radar but...in 2012, if those nice civilian crews are going to take over military SAR then the aircraft will have to have a different spec. Unless of course some bean counter who doesn't understand SAR decides that 'less capability means less money and anyway it's people's own fault if they get themselves into trouble in bad weather or at night' and reneges on the deal.
I would love to have a shiny new S92 to fly but only if it lets me do my job properly.