TOSH
Crab, tosh. yes the canadians did alter some of their SOPS agreed. As to you cant use the 101 in the hills or against a cliff tosh. the 101 is used very effectively in an urban environement and. like any helicopter, produces a downwash that the crews need to be aware of.
Secondly, have you ever sat over the water in a Merlin? you would know then that the downwash directly under the aircraft is NOT too severe at all, some refer to this doughnut effect - which is even better with BERP IV - please lets not reopen the BERP debate thank you.
On one of your earlier post you mentioned "SARH have to play the hand they are dealt - unless the Govt decide they want the capability to provide surge/concurrent ops then it won't happen". hate to tell you mate, but the SAR-H IPT have included Surge and concurrency in the competition - and it knocks spots off the current system!
I am surprised at you Crabb, despite the way you sometimes come accross you do normally believe in what you say and their is some truth in your words. But with this you are not right.
I agree with your mixed fleet analysis though.