Hello to all experience pilots in this thread.
I've been reading this thread and realized that are different opinions about EH101.
I'm a PIC of Merlin in SAR operations and let me tell that is a great helicopter.
Great radar and flir and the most important is the autopilot modes including the auto hover and the long range capacity.
Imagine rescue 10 fisherman in a dark night from the water with 15'-20' waves, that resolves the problem of the downwash!!
We do 350 NM whith 30 min in hover and come back again without refuelling.
We operate the EH101 since 2005 and none of the rescue divers had problems whith the downwash maybe in the begining, and we always put the rescue diver outside at 60' for safety reasons, like if we have to cut the cable.
The only problem is the maintenance support, short of spares. But thats a factory problem, not the helicopter.
I think a great choice for yours SAR will be the S92 i see some pictures and is very similar with MERLIN and are some civilian companies using them.
And the hoist is behind the PIC seat, this is very good.
We have the hoist to much on the back, behind the cargo door.
Imagine doing the hover on a vessel looking back and up of your right shoulder, nice
.
I can tell more information about EH101 if needed.
PM are welcome.
Best Regards
FlySafe
Carlos82