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C295 Canadian SAR

Overview Service experienceSAR walkaround Specifications Performance SAR cabin Cargo configurations

SAR cabin

The C295 cabin length, three inches longer than a C-130, offers the space required to store all SAR gear in a readily accessible setup so as to avoid unnecessary risk of storage above shoulder-height. Further, its length allows for installation of toilet, galley, crew rest, data management system, stretchers, four spotter seats and sufficient SAR Tech work space to allow for safe preparation of equipment and personnel airdrop.

The cabin is reconfigurable according to customer requirements. Requirements were storage room for all equipment, sufficient space for preparation, four spotter seats, stretchers, and crew rest for long transits and comfort during searches. The C295’s cabin length allows additionally for the optional installation of a data management system, a galley, supplemental seating for extra personnel, and, as SAR Techs are now male and female civil-type toilet.

SAR cabin layout

With the largest cabin volume and floor space in its class, the C295 is the only aircraft with adequate space for all SAR gear and mission systems, plus comfortable crew rest and preparation areas. 

 


  1. Primary spotter’s seat – Offers full field of visibility, with intersecting views at 200 ft. beneath the aircraft to ensure full search coverage
  2. Crew rest area – Allows spotters a comfortable area for essential rest periods between duty cycles
  3. Navigator/mission specialist integrated console – Provides fully integrated control of mission sensors
  4. Secondary spotter seat – An additional crew position optimized to allow search and rescue technicians a full view for equipment drops
  5. Toilet
  6. SAR equipment pallets – Readily available during flight
  7. EOD pallet – Easily removable between flights to comply with armament regulations and dangerous cargo parking restrictions
  8. Rear cabin and ramp area – Provides a roomy work space during the preparation and launch of SAR equipment during rescue operations
  9. Flight engineer’s seat
  10. MEDEVAC litters – Rigged for three NATO Standard litters, in accordance with NATO rules that require litters to stacked vertically no higher than three per stack. Can alternately be used for additional seating
The C295's cabin space allows for installation of seats for extra personnel.
An optional galley provides crew comfort during long transits and searches.
The comfort of SAR Techs is secured through fully functional, closed toilets.

Visual search and cabin visibility

The Airbus Military C295's optional cabin interior, which includes a flare launcher, two aft spotter seats and data management system.
 The four search windows (indicated with arrows) allow for a full unobstructed field of view, with intersecting views at 300 ft. below aircraft. The C295's ergonomically-designed spotter seats include an armrest and cup holder for extended searches while avoiding neck and back injuries.

C295/CH-149 cabin cross-section comparison

With its right-sized fuselage cross-section, the C295's cabin is perfectly suited to long-duration, high-workload missions. The C295 cabin height is greater than the CH-149, whose cabin was considered by Canada as the optimum size for SAR operations. Interior dimensions of the C295 enable crews to perform SAR operations in comfort. This sizing, combined with the greatest useful area of any contender, provide the maximum utility without wasted space.

The C295's optimum cabin height offers space to move freely while providing security for crews to stabilise themselves at the ceiling in case of turbulence.

Due to the length of the cabin and the long distance between side doors and propeller, lateral egress is eased due to minimised propeller wash.