Of course another potentional option that should be looked at would be purchasing another 2-3 x AW139s to replace the Cessna's
This would have a lot of advantages
The disadvantages?:
Could it do target towing (although the Swiss use PC9s for that)
Could it do pollution surveillance (CASA may be better)
The big disadvantage is cost:
The purchase price of 1 x AW139 costs about the same as a fleet of 4 x small high spec twin engined aircraft
Helicopters have a higher cost per hour and are more expensive to maintain
This would have a lot of advantages
The disadvantages?:
Could it do target towing (although the Swiss use PC9s for that)
Could it do pollution surveillance (CASA may be better)
The big disadvantage is cost:
The purchase price of 1 x AW139 costs about the same as a fleet of 4 x small high spec twin engined aircraft
Helicopters have a higher cost per hour and are more expensive to maintain
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