Regardless of opinion , there is a reason why things are the way they are; albeit convoluted at times. Industry is back on the upswing of seeking and offering standard category type 1 helicopters …. Realistically this has been the designation for limiting federal participation on type 1 helicopters … that and old policy from the Iron 44 fiasco.
The BLM has a Blackhawk program with Boise Helitack and all DOI employees are allowed to fly on it. This particular contract has had its fair share of for and against participation of feds on board again due to the designations the FAA place on the category of helicopter.
Nationally we should see policy switching back to allowing USDA employees to once again fly on the standard category type 1 helicopters.
The grounding of the bell medium fleet is an absolutely awesome call…. Preliminary information shared throughout the industry and random sampling after the crash put industry where we are now.
If it’s made by “ man “ it’s bound to fail at some point. Perception , versus reality , versus policy seems to be a bit of this threads tone… hopefully this has helped with some fact versus fiction perspective.