How are you poorly manned?
Pages 48 and 49 of this discussion make reference to a manning problem that is developing.
Why is the 189 a poor ac?
As far as SAR goes, it isn't even an aircraft yet!
Name some of the luxury vs necessities you are losing out on in this transition?
You've missed the point - hugely.
If you don't like capitalism, I'm sure UT Air are recruiting in Moscow.
I don't think they're communists anymore.
Seriously clutching at straws to say a properly trained pilot can't maintain a hover by looking through a bit of plastic.
A pilot who is taking just a one eighth share of 50 training hours per month per unit will hardly be able to conduct sufficient quality continuation training to meet such challenges.