DeltaNg
Is that the only known operation? or are the lots of Explorers regularly working ships? and
I am asking the hundreds of 902 loadlifting pilots out there !!
Agree with vortex, that one doesn't wish to start a 135 vs 902 debate, but I'd suggest you're likely to get more answers from the 135 community, if only due to the number of machines brought into service to date - something over 800 135s compared to 125ish 902s. I'm willing to stand corrected, but I don't think I'm far off the mark!
From an airframe point of view, I'd be surprised if the head & blade combo of the 902 (specifically the flex beam) will be able to stand up to the same sort of punishment as the 135 head when operating in real (i.e. all weather) ship-borne operations, especially if it spends any time shut down, with blades spread, on deck in any sort of wind - it's not quite the same as sitting on the back/front of a gin-palace-yacht-ship in the Mediterranean sun!!
