For what it's worth, our UK police unit operates a 902 for 1200 hours/year. Only real issue seems to be the ability of MDHI to convince its customers that it will remain a going concern - the a/c itself is a treat to operate and fly. As for flight AP/SAS off (hi John! how's the ski season shaping up?) - ours has been u/s awaiting spares for 4 weeks and the only noticeable difference has been that it's quicker to get the beastie airborne as there are fewer checks to do! Seriously, the AP/SAS is excellent when it works, and you'd want it there for you hovering downwind at night with few visual references - over the Hudson river springs to mind - but the aircraft is very stable without. The presence of the "broom cupboard" control-run closet behind the pilot's head does reduce the ability of the crew to interact to a minor degree when compared to the AS355, but this has caused us no problems so far. As Thomas Coupling says, buy new-generation - you'll benefit in the long run.