totogol,
I have no beef, at all. I love the potential for speed, and having flown the 609 simulator, I think its integration of controls, limits and displays is brilliant. But I'd love to know what the aircraft really does, not what its
PR agents say it might. After 1200 hours of flight test these things are still unknown to the unwashed rest of us:
1) What is its real cruise speed? Best range speed?
2) What is its real payload? At what range?
3) What is the Cat A takeoff weight from real heliports?
You confuse sling load capability for some reason, which is a red herring, I believe we are truly interested in what the 609's passenger load will be on real missions. I don't know these answers.
Since you and 21st Century so strongly defend the 609, do either of you know these answers, which are the bread and butter of the 609's capability? Would you share?
for $25million, I think we all deserve to know before we follow the bandwagon.