I do work for the Ambulance Service of NSW, and yes they have had problems. But the maintenance crews are impeccable. The crews of the choppers at Bankstown and myself are impressed by their professionalism and attention to detail and safety. This is of course from myself who knows little in the way of helicopter maintenance.
There have been no issues raised by SCAT Paramedics/Doctors and crewies in regards to safety to the HSU sub-branch.
I can say that it was a political exercise to bad mouth CHC. They won the tender from a panel made up of aeromedical experts from all over the country (not just NSW). People tend to conveniently forget that.
They are in use 24 hrs/7 days a week all over the state, and Rescue 26 is one of the most busiest.