Thanx Crab,
I noticed those complex folding systems on SeaKings- and was told that it is so complex that no one really knows how it works (some pun intended)
Yes, it takes maintenance manhours to make it work, it adds complexity and weight=reduces operational availability for nothing, as it is never used. I meant that these choppers were off line but not for schheduled maintenance but for snags that needed attention quite often.
Lee on Solent base with one engineer of course is not running maintenance on one pair of hands - when I was there, the whole main transmission was replaced, of course with help from Redhill. But day to day operations were much more "lean" compared with RAF style - and the mighty IJ worked like Swiss watch.
NVG is used in UK non military helicopter for many years by Devon&Cornwall ASU, flying BK 117, as far as I know. I know this is not entirelly civillian, but it is 100% under UK CAA supervision - so why Bristows couldn`t go that way?
I am aware of reasons for hoist installation to Metpolice ASU 145s, but... this is still the first in UK air support and maybe this capability might trigger an idea about some little rescues here and there-remember the tragedy some years ago when boat, full of celebrating high school graduates capsized in downtown London? Would FLIR, hoist SX-16 etc. equipped chopper, being on scene within minutes, make a difference? I think yes, but maybe some people are not comfortable with that idea... that is what I was asking.
hoistop