SARREMF - yes I do believe what I say, because I listen to the people who do the trials and give the feedback - not what the manufacturer claims. I certainly don't listen to the opinions of those with limited experience of SAR in all environments - winching on an airfield for crying out loud, that's just like a cliff or small boat - NOT.
A big helicopter with a small disc produces a huge downwash - that is a fact - the doughnut phenomenon allows you to trap a target in the downwash very effectively, BUT only when the wind is of exactly the correct strength to push the center of the downwash exactly under the winch; the rest of the time it is hindering you not helping you.
As for the CFS badge, at the point I am considered unworthy of it I will stop wearing it.
Thanks inputshaft
As far as SARH goes - their response to a question about surge and concurrency was vague, evasive and worthy of Tony Bliar. They will need a lot of aircraft to 'knock the spots off' what we can do now, especially if the military element is to be decimated.