Budget - yes you have 2 aircraft but the second one is not declared as a standby aircraft, that is the difference. You have 2 to provide one, we have 2 to provide 2 (serviceability permitting). We have been round the buoy several times regarding how many more flying hours we do than you because of our training requirements - more flying means more servicing means more snags.
Hal - 2 aircraft at each base whether civ or mil.
both aircraft declared at mil, only one at civ
5 crews at each becoming 4 at Mil
2 crews declared at mil, 1 crew at civ
Sea King can do 240nm RoA with 17 seats available (ie no restrictions on cabin space) S92 (at Stornoway) can now do 250 nm RoA but with restricted cabin space.
Sea King has Emergency Lube system for MRGB in case of massive oil loss and can rtb from almost max range (albeit at 70 kts) - S92 has no ELS or run-dry capability on MRGB.
I keep being told that the new helicopters are the future of UK SAR but they struggle to meet the Sea Kings present (and very old) capability, let alone set the new standard for the next 20-30 years. They have glass cockpits and go a bit faster but that is it.
You guys are the UK taxpayers - do you see any overwhelming reasons to fork out £3-5Bn for SARH?
I don't think any of that is twisting words
