Sorry - a bit late in the day, but a few comments on this thread.
Re Nitesun 2 on S92 - great bit of kit if you can link it to the TI camera, as it will keep station on the target much better than trying it manually . . . which is far too sensitive (in our machine anyway) for effective pilot control. You also have to hope you've got the new, improved, gimbal or you may well spend a deal of time with the thing removed, when it goes wrong - then you'll be glad of all those other lights!
Re TETRA radios - (concur with Helinut #52 & #58, Sven62 #56 take note) - we have 4 TETRA radios, analogue radio for CG and two ATC VHF, so can talk to anyone when the TETRA stays on-line, including ringing land & mobile phones from the a/c. However . . . TETRA is
NOT the answer to anyone's prayers (due to its habit of dropping out or making a transmission sound like a Dalek) and the only current effective & efficient method of co-ordinating Police & SAR a/c is the use of pilot-to-pilot scene-of-SAR or other VHF freq!!
Re MET Police winches - I believe I'm correct in noting that they only actually have ONE winch for fitting to any of their three a/c. As yet they may be undecided as to how they'll (be allowed to) use it, but probably easier to have one on the shelf for when it's approved, than to retro-fit . . especially considering the tiny fraction of the £15m or so total purchase!
Re Regionalisation of Police etc, Helinut (#52) should watch Essex - currently operating 3 a/c for 3 forces at 3 bases under one PAOC, with the full support of Chief Officers. Groundbreaking stuff, being closely monitored by CAA & HO - but it's working.
And finally . . . concur with Mustfly (#90) & others about gnats on elephants etc - the latest Freedom Class cruise ships, twice the size of the lady Canberra, have over 5000 POB!
