The Boeing Chinook is far too large for the RHKAAF there would be significant crew and operating a nelicopter so The Aerospatiale Puma meets
facilities maintenance implications in different from the S76As.
most of the operational requirements and the price is comparable to the S70A.
However, -there would be significant crew and maintenance implications; for example, because the blades rotate in a different direction to the S76A, the handling characteristics are completely different. Thus two separate streams of aircrew would be required, one each for the S76A and the Puma. These problems do not exist to the same extent with the S70A nelicopter. Indeed, the general compatibility of spares, crew training and licensing are factors in favour of reinforcing the existing fleet with additional purchases from the same manufacturer.
11.
The Wessex helicopters which are in use by the RAF in Hong Kong, and can carry 14 passengers have been ruled out as an option. They are no longer in production So product support would be lacking, and there are no Civil variants available.
these grounds they would be unsuitable for a civilian government flying service. In addition, they are maintenance-intensive, and have problems flying in adverse weather conditions, e.g. neavy rain; their carrying capacity is on the low side for Police requirements.
12.
The choice for completing the expansion of the RHKAAF helicopter force therefore lies between exercising the option for four S76A helicopters or buying two S70A helicopters. The S70A is the preferred option : it can carry 20 PTU members, and with its greater power can hover with a full load, allowing PTU members to abseil to the ground when landing conditions are difficult (with the S76A this
IS only possible when the helicopter is half-loaded carrying four passengers); the S70A nas larger doors allowing quicker emplaning and depla'ning, which can be significant in an
emergency operation; there is much more baggage space in the S70A than in the S76A; the S70A quieter and more suited to a covert role than the S76A; and, in addition, the S70A helicopter provides better protection for the occupants and the vital components are specially protected (this is not the case for the S76A or, incidentally, the Puma); the reinforced airframe also provides greater protection for the occupants
10 the event
1 S
of an aircrash. The $70A also meets the SDU requirements.
/Authority