While I'm sure we have affection for the particular types we have all flown in the SAR role - capable as they might be, none are ideal and many have significant design issues/omissions - the purpose of this thread was to discuss ideal characteristics and not expound on the virtues of a particular existing platform - good as some of them might be - wouldn't want this thread to become a willy waving competition or advertisng line for certain manufacturers - can't imagine for example that the 139 or the 60 have great cabins for paramedic comfort beyond one casualty .....however great they are in other design features...and as for fully functional and safe all weather AFCS's - well there's another thread altogether!!
Like the point about having a larger ac for long range multi-survivor rescue and a neater smaller ac for short range and mountain rescue scenarios......stable hover characteristics can also mean lack of precision maneouvre capability if the ASE/AFCS design is not optimised = so we need to be careful here.....
Just think that those operating so professionally in the dedicated SAR role - particualry if its a national level capability deserve a dedicted specialised design - maybe one day......
PS ---love the tilt rotor adaptations in Avatar.......now if only......
Cheers