Having seen a copy of the tender requirements , one hopes the Pelair people have read the fine print, lots of big dollars in penalties if you can't supply an airframe or pilot to meet the contractual obligations.
Two crew is nice but its not a place to be running a cadet pilot programme for your regional airline operation.
Will the B350 be able to go into all the strips that the B200 goes into?
Is the B350 able to be fitted with the big door for loading patients?
Think of the dollars Pelair wil have to outlay to ensure production slots if they go for new aircraft, the cost of the aeromedical fitouts, strecher loading devices etc?
No B350 simulator in Australia, so off to the states for endorsements, or lots of money spent in the real aeroplane!
Vic air ambulance learnt a very hard lesson in the mid 1980's when a C402 was lost on departure out of Essendon. It rapidly changed there thinking in relation to who supplied the aircraft, pilot skill level and employment status. One of the reasons they went with Sunstate(Mildura) later Southern Australia was they were owned by Australian Airlines and had the financial rescources to put into the contract and also had access to Australian Airlines for technical assistance, quality control etc.
Lots of question to be answered over the next two years!
Just remember over the years we have seen the Amman debacle and the Victorian division of the NSCA implode, we watch this one with interest.