With regard to the last post with Portland having just one new AW139, has anybody thought of the pressure this is going to put on the pilots and engineers. With the S61( and not being a dinosaur) you knew after years of learning and experience what was acceptable to go and fly. This will not happen with a new aircraft, especially with no back up. Although other members who have had the opportunity to fly and maintain the new aircraft you certainly do not accept what they think, albeit in their best interest. After all this is a Rescue service and certainly a casualty who becomes a statistic is one that nobody wants. Just because is daylight only IMHO a second aircraft is required.
One last thing, can anybody tell me why Portland are only daylight? My thought is if they were not busy then they would not be there, but they are and must be a terrific resource for the MCA. Perhaps Carl Taylor with his inside knowledge could answer this, or was he one of them trying to close it down a few years ago.
H