Thanks for the feedback gents and it is appreciated. No real secrets and so far as some of the questions and points:
1. Making it an OH&S (duty of care issue) unlikely....no such thing here in this part of the sandpit....although it is improving.
2. The reason for the opposing point of view for a change doesn't come down to $ but more other factors which include other operational taskings, a very generous duty roster which gives plenty of time off after a shift (and no, no chance of changing it or asking for guys to come in on their days off), ad hoc tasking, EMS tasking and so forth. In addition, the rostered duty crew is not allow to do any training whilst on shift which doesn't help. So it almost falls into the too hard basket!!
3. The aircraft are well equipped, 4 axis type with WX RADAR, FLIR and our operations will be primarily aided,
4. So far as crews, experience is varied but very little in this kind of role, hence the desire to increase the currency/proficiency requirements,
5. AO includes over water and mountains in pretty benign conditions (mostly).
Hope this gives a little more info and all I am trying to do is get a feel for what others are doing in addition to making a few calls.
Thanks again
Turkey
For what it's worth, I'll pass on one of my favourite quotes which comes from Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder and (currently) non-executive director of EasyJet. He once said "If you think safety is expensive, try an accident." Priceless.
Oh yeh....couldn't agree more