Nick,

As Emeril the chef says, "Lets kick it up a noch".

We can battle about 3000 LBS all day. And the CH-53 doesn't have to
worry about pushing its envelope to the max, having an accident and
getting its program canceled. You have also never responded to my
points on deck spotting factor (size), self deploy range (even without
the benefit of external tanks) or max altitude. All areas where the
V-22 is better than the CH-53. You seem (like many Igor fans) intent
to make the Tiltrotor compete against a Helo where a Helo is best. Why
can you not accept that for missions where speed, range and CRUISE
altitude is required a Tiltrotor is better? And why would a V-22 hover
at 10,000 feet for extended cruise when it can fly like an airplane?

You also seem to want to beat on the BA609 as a key to your argument.
But again the BA609 is a civilian aircraft with a pressurized, sound
proofed and airconditioned cabin. It has more in common with a Lear
Jet 35 than a Helo. Remember its the MISSION.

I can tell you are fighting to close the holes in your premises when
you start making unsubstantiated comments like " I read your assertions
about 50X improvement due to systems safety for the BA-609. I heard
that about the V-22, and look how well that turned out! I have a
bridge in Brooklyn for you to buy..... "

How about learning something about the BA609 reliability before you
make a comment like that. Go to the AHS site below for a good read.

http://www.vtol.org/pdf/61PropulsionII.pdf

Your opinions have a lot in common with with the nay sayers of the jet
engine 65 years ago. "The jet engine is too expensive, unreliable and
burns too much fuel. Ok it is a little faster than a piston engine,
but is that extra speed worth the cost?"

Have fun and keep an open mind,

CTR