Victor Papa
As any Puma crewman will tell you (or, I imagine, any AW139 crewman will tell you after couple of years on type), trying to operate in an aircraft with a low cabin will, in time, completely wreck your knees and back. There's more than just hoist operating to be done by the rearcrew so it's over-simplistic to state that you, "could not stand in the S61 doing hoisting", therefore the EC225 will be ok. Whether squatting or kneeling, a degenerative musculo-skeletal price will inevitably be paid by the individual who has to move around on his haunches and manhandle people and heavy kit without being able to straighten his legs or spine. A SAR aircraft has to please more than just the driver you know!
Last edited by Vie sans frontieres; 28th October 2008 at 10:38.
Reason: Not cleared solo cutting & pasting