If the Blackhawk is so good, then why don't Sikorsky sell them to Civil Operators?
True, the max range speed won't be the same as the max speed, but AW do make speedy machines. Max in the 139 is 167, best range is about 150. The AW109 is even quicker and a massive rework of the 609 has yielded increased speed during development.
Is it going to be expensive? Yes. Are there offshore operators interested in it? Yes. Can it be upscaled, so increasing the per seat efficiency? Yes.
The "easy" oil is getting further offshore as inshore reserves are explored and used up. It is either something new that can go that far, or floating runways for fixed wing to operate out of. Which actually isn't as crazy as it sounds!
And I for one don't believe that AW will tell you that the max range speed is 275 and let you find out for yourself that it isn't. That would be like telling people that the MGB has been tested for 30 minute dry run, when in fact it hasn't been. Oh, bad example.
I'm sure as it gets closer to certification and the actual operating envelope is finalised, that performance data will be made available, at least to potential customers.
Last edited by noooby; 6th Mar 2015 at 19:07.
Reason: Quicker typing means more spelling mistakes!!!