Speaking with the instructors at CFANS, they have had nothing but trouble with the computers on the CT-142 Gonzo since they went to COTS. It would seem that the commercial circuit boards are not up the constant vibration and often just quit working, thus causing a DNCO and a lost trip. AESOP081 can confirm whether or not the problem has been fixed, but it seems to me that in certain areas, we need to buy MILSPEC...
As for "plug and play sensors"- Sam, when was the last time that you did a full functional after the sonar was removed and reinstalled in a Sea King?
How well did that work out for you?
In my experience, it has never been less than a 2-3 day job of getting the sonar to run properly after sitting in a crate in the hangar for a few months. Maybe I have just been unlucky...