Hello,
I work in a HEMS Sea H24 IFR operation with AW109. Covering islands up to 100nm, so our operation is mostly at SL. Fuel burn circa 200Kh/hr. Due to weight limitations we can load no more than 400Kg, sometimes even less, greatly reducing our endurance.
MTOW: 3000Kg
Empty weight + HEMS Kit + floats kit: 2200Kg
That leaves us 800Kg for: Doctor, nurse, 2 pilots + patient + fuel
Most times going up to 3000Kg with just 400Kg out of the 583Kg we could load with an aux. fuel tank. Forget about CAT A operation (ends at 2850Kg)
That gives us and endurance of 2hr to zero fuel
so we have to refuel in every island we visit. It feels like driving a F1 thinking all the time about pit stops
Our client wants to change helicopter and go for one that could, if possible, do a round trip without refuelling AND to pay around the same or a little more. Does that exist?
Forget about the AS365N3 and B412. Too expensive.
The AW109S has a MTWO of 3175Kg but its empty weight is higher and burns more fuel making it similar to the AW109.
It has to be something similar. The client is considering the B429 and has asked us to get info and experience from current operators and fellow pilots.
A RFM and a W&B with HEMS kit would be really appreciated.
PS: Remember, the only possible option they will consider would be a helicopter a little more expensive, no more. Forgot to mention that they are not prone to the EC135