Ray:
1. The training stats we are required to complete every month/quarter/year - this is not just one deck, one sit and one drum per month to keep 'current' but a wide range of disciplines day and night.
2. There is an embedded training team pilot/radop/winchman in each flight.
3. There is a roving training team who carry out annual cat checks and further training who visit each flight once per month.
4. There is a dedicated Standards team who check each flights operational effectiveness every 2 years and carry out no-notice Opevals at each flight.
5. Our simulator training (6 monthly) includes SAREX's and NVG as well as all the emergency handling sorties.
6. We have an ongoing training scheme to take Co-pilots to Op Captain - not just a captain's course when a slot becomes available.
In addition there are other training exercises including things like windfarm rescues, MRT, lifeboat, CG, beach rescue.
Is that enough?
I'm not saying civsar crews don't train or belittling their capability but those who haven't been involved in some of the night overland SAROPs the SAR Force have experienced are far too quick to dismiss our capability as 'just requires a set of NVG on an S92 and crack on'.
Iron
i reckon there will be a huge saving in maint costs actually
and an enormous capital outlay to get the aircraft in the first place.