Original Message

EC-145=137KTAS; H-145D2/D3 =138KTAS; EC-135 & H-135=134KTAS...All close approximate values.

Not much difference and who cares about 2 or 3 KTS.  No helicopter is "Fast."

Useful load is what counts.  If that is the objective and variable and fixed operating costs are not a factor, then the H-145D3 is the choice.  If variable and fixed costs are the main objective, then the H-135 is the way to go.

An above poster had it correct...Lighten the equipment and medical personnel.  Equipment is easy, medical personnel are generally "Robust" and not quite so easy to convince anyone they are not in shape to fill a flight position.  Short of that, we all know fuel is the variable.

Remember, the EC-145 is a legacy aircraft and is becoming more and more expensive to maintain because they are on the back side of the curve.

After 35+ years in the HAA sector, most aircraft choices are based upon some medical manager looking at a picture and saying "We want these because it looks cool or it will do everything we need..."  Then they convince the bean counters it is the best choice and find out once they take delivery, in most cases the aircraft can't get out of it's own way due to the loading expectations.

v/r