Guys we are getting into fantasy land now with these ideas of using airborne lifeboats, bigger helicopters and other slightly far fetched ideas which would take years to certify. The problem is now!!
The a/c SASLESS proposes below would never operate on the NS with out significant redesign and strengthening of every NS helideck - costing?????
If one uses an 8,000 pound payload, figures 300 pounds per passenger including baggage, that still allows for 27 passengers or so.
With the 50,000 weight limit....that adds about 10,000 pounds more payload.....and a very crowded cabin yet again as the oil company would demand every single possible seat be filled.....say 60 passengers.
For those indulging in this fantasy perhaps you should find out the answers to the following questions.
1. What is the maximum allowable landing weight that most NS helidecks are certified for?
2 What is the maximum "d" value that most NS helidecks are certified for?
3 How many passengers are you allowed to carry without a flight attendent?
4.What is the average crewchange number - bearing in mind you can't change large numbers as you lose continuity on the rig?
I know this thread is drifting at the moment due to the lack of further accurate info on what happened but hopefully we will get the fuller picture soon.
HF