Fires in NSW & Victoria

[205jack]

Does anyone have any info on the NSW fire scene as to tasking etc.
Hey Catseye you seem to be able to supply good data. Are you out there?
Fly safe guys & girls

[catseye]

Sorry am away working. Will try tomorrow evening.

The Eye:ok:

[205jack]

No worries thanks for the reply :ok:

[catseye]

this what you wanted.............:=

The following aircraft have been deployed.

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B2
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 224
Task: ReCon Registration: AGL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 212
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 273
Task: Bomb Registration: C-GSGT
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS350B3
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 251
Task: Bomb Registration: IPW
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 26/01/2009 8:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 214B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 404
Task: Bomb Registration: N214JL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITAK 271
Task: Bomb Registration: HUE
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 282
Task: Bomb Registration: RSL
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 22/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 206B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 290
Task: ReCon Registration: RMJ
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 27/01/2009 10:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350FX2
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIREBIRD 244
Task: Bomb/AA Registration: JVC
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 22/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BEECH SUPER KING AIR B200T
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: FIRESCAN
Task: Linescan Registration: LAB
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 26/01/2009 1:30:00 PM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 204TH-IF
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 498
Task: Bomb Registration: LIQ
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 30/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 204UH-1B
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 276
Task: Bomb Registration: UHF
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 23/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: HELITACK 226
Task: Bomb Registration: FHF
Tasking Agency: S44 Deployed: 29/01/2009 3:00:00 PM

Region South Standby
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 277
Task: Bomb Registration: XAW
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Region South Standby
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-502B
Location: GRIFFITH Airport Callsign: BOMBER 240
Task: Bomb Registration: HGV
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

STANDBY
District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: SCONE AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 220
Task: STANDBY Registration: PCD
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 30/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

REGION SOUTH STANDBY
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: BELL 206B-3
Location: WAGGA WAGGA AIRPORT Callsign: FIREBIRD 240
Task: STANDBY Registration: SLT
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed:

Region West Standby
District: REGION WEST - COBAR Aircraft Type: DROMADER TURBINE
Location: ORANGE AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 731
Task: Bomb Registration: PMR
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 28/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Standby Deniliquin
District: REGION SOUTH HO -BATEMANS BAY Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: DENILIQUIN AIRPORT Callsign: BOMBER 251
Task: Standby Registration: FFM
Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 22/01/2009 10:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 223
Task: Bomb Registration: CVF
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 12:30:00 PM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 272
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LUE
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock Fire
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 206
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: FIREBIRD 208
Task: AA Registration: ALM
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

Jingera
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B2 SUPER D2
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: PARKAIR 3
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: ZHM
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 24/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

Dingo Road
District: SHOALHAVEN FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350B3
Location: BRAIDWOOD Callsign: PARKAIR 1
Task: Bomb Registration: NPS
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 22/01/2009 8:30:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 255
Task: Bomb Registration: XAU
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 12:30:00 PM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117B-2
Location: EUROBODALLA Callsign: HELITACK 256
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LXC
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 205
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: ONZ
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 27/01/2009 7:30:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BELL 205UH-1H
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 346
Task: Bomb Registration: UHH
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 26/01/2009 6:00:00 AM

Jingera Road
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: BK 117 (CONTRACT)
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: HELITACK 225
Task: Bomb Registration: FHB
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 25/01/2009 12:00:00 PM

Jingera Rock Fire
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AS 350 SUPER D2
Location: Bombala Callsign: FIREBIRD 314
Task: Trans/Bomb Registration: LEV
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 28/01/2009 8:00:00 AM

JINGERA ROCK FIRE
District: BOMBALA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802-67
Location: BOMBALA Callsign: BOMBER 719
Task: Bomb Registration: SDJ
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 30/01/2009 9:00:00 AM

Jingera Rock
District: EUROBODALLA FCC Aircraft Type: AT-802F
Location: Merimbula Airport Callsign: BOMBER 221
Task: Bomb Registration: LIR
Tasking Agency: NP Deployed: 30/01/2009 7:00:00 AM

[John Eacott]

catseye,

No H338 :sad:

Are you missing me yet ;)

[catseye]

John,

I only copy them don't write them!.

Thought you had given up fires in BK's and retired to bigger Bell's. Looks like NRE ( NSCA rebadged ) may have their hands full in Gippsland until someone nails that arsonist.

Lachie's got another gig. The south coast publicans will be pleased........

The Eye. :=

[John Eacott]

We made the mistake of visiting Lachie a few months ago with an overnight stop :hmm:

Keep safe on those fires :ok:

[205jack]

Sorry Catseye I also have been away working but thanks for the info
Do you have any updates on that lot?:ok:
205jack

[topendtorque]

Fires seem to have revved up some but especially in Victoria with 14 deaths confirmed and more expected. Ground crews ordered out of some zones, aireal work only.
any news from down there? time for a steady and careful, perhaps a helpful hand for the chopper crews.

what a country , the southerners are desparately fighting fires and we're struggling throught mud.
In Queensland alone (62%) which is more than the size of the state of South Australia is a flood disaster zone and more torrential rains happening now, without the monsoons in the Northern territory the northern half of which is flood bound.
take care guys.

[Bushfire]

Aircraft that are currently deployed/standby in Victoria (10.15 AM 8th FEB)

BIRDDOG 366 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
BOMBER 351 STAWELL AERO DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 352 HAMILTON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 353 HAMILTON AIR AVAILABLE 15
BOMBER 354 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
BOMBER 355 BAIRNSDALE A DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
BOMBER 356 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
BOMBER 357 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
BOMBER 358 LEONGATHA AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
BOMBER 359 BENAMBRA AIR DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
BOMBER 360 STAWELL AERO DISPATCHED DSE BLACK RANGE GRAMPIANS
BOMBER 361 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
BOMBER 365 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
FIREBIRD 301 HORSHAM DSE AVAILABLE 15
FIREBIRD 302 MOORABBIN AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
FIREBIRD 303 DSE Ovens De DISPATCHED DSE DARGO WHITE TIMBER SPUR
FIREBIRD 304 BAIRNSDALE H DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
FIREBIRD 305 DSE Ovens De DISPATCHED DSE BOGONG
FIREBIRD 306 MOORABBIN AI AVAILABLE 15
FIREBIRD 307 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 309 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGE
FIREBIRD 311 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
FIRESCAN 300 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE SCANNING VARIOUS INCIDENTS
FIRESCAN 350 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 120 Configured for linescan
HELITACK 331 MOORABBIN AI DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP - BUNYIP RIDGS
HELITACK 332 BENALLA AIRF UNSERVICEABLE CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
HELITACK 333 HEYFIELD HEL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
HELITACK 334 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
HELITACK 335 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 341 MOORABBIN AI AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 342 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP
HELITACK 345 OLINDA DISPATCHED DSE BUNYIP SP
HELITACK 347 ESSENDON AIR AVAILABLE 15
HELITACK 348 WALSH S AIRS DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 315 MAINDAMPLE DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 316 COLAC DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD
FIREBIRD 318 BENDIGO AERO DISPATCHED DSE REDESDALE
HELITACK 344 LATROBE VALL DISPATCHED CFA CHURCHILL
HELITACK 346 ALBURY AIRPO UNSERVICEABLE
HELITACK 401 MANGALORE AI DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE – SAUNDERS RD
HELITACK 747 ESSENDON AIR DISPATCHED CFA KILMORE - SAUNDERS RD

[moosp]

You guys must have been working like drovers dogs all day, and we seen you on the telly, but if anyone has a couple of photos of what was going on I know they'd be appreciated.

It looked dreadful.

[Schumi - Red Baron]

Here are the pics by BBC of the fire scene in australia.

BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Australian fires (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7876660.stm)

It's dreadful....

[BigMike]

For the last few days we have been re-tasked as Air Ambulance rather than Neonatal.
Yesterday we flew to the town of Marysville to provide medical assistance.
The people that had survived were gathered together at the football oval, the only un-burnt area in the town. Most we treated had eye irritation or smoke inhalation. It seemed that a lot had either escaped with minor injuries, or died. There are bodies in many of the houses.
I talked to a fire-fighter who had a mate working alongside him all night, who then returned home to find his family dead. I heard similar stories throughout the day.
We later flew to Alexandra where most had been evacuated to. The local sports hall and school were being used as temporary shelter. Most only had the clothes they were wearing. They had lost everything.

The following are photos of Marysville.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/Fire-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-2.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-3.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-4.jpg

Later in Alexandra after flying from Marysville.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-5.jpg

[topendtorque]

ABC News - Top Stories - Breaking news from Australia and the world (http://www.abc.net.au/news/)

This link will take you to the latest.
Front page for the last week featuring fires/ floods. 108 now confirmed and just adding up the various reports put the house tally at well more than the 700 reported.

[mickjoebill]

I was 3k from the Bendigo blaze which started about 5pm and didn't see or hear any aerial activity in the first hour.

Was Bendigo without locally based cover on Saturday?

I appreciate that it is hard to keep a heli on the ground in Bendigo on standby with Redesdale going up.

On extreme weather days where fire will outrun ground crews, should larger rural towns with high density housing always have a local heli available?

On the other hand many lives lost in small communities.
A conundrum.
A truly hellish day even before the fires started. (Car dash thermometer registered 50C)

Mickjoebill

[mickjoebill]

Big mike,
looking at the remarkable pics there seems to be little tree damage adjacent the burnt out houses, so is it likely that most of the homes succumbed to ember attack rather than radiant heat?

Many plots have blackened patches where there was once grass a possible source of direct flame contact?



Mickjoebill

[CYHeli]

MJB I believe the Bendigo crews were working on Redesdale until called back.

I tried to get some shots at Endeavour Hills (Churchill Golf Club) the other week of Firebird 306 bucketing, but the sun was in the wrong place and the shots were washed out.

Good shots BigMike.
Thanks for posting, I guess others are between sleeping/flying.
Just too busy!

[206dvr]

Do you guys know of anyone over there who may need a hand? I know the area and am legal over there at the moment. Things look pretty grim from this side of the Tasman. Just thought I'd offer. You never know...

[BigMike]

MJB, sorry I couldn't tell you. The fires have burnt very intensely in some areas (see photo below)
I have a couple of days break then back to it. We may have a B3 Squirrel and belly tank back soon, so may be flying that instead of the BK.

Right now everyone is just doing the best they can. The effort from all those involved is just amazing. Many carrying on even after a personal tragedy.

Sadly the commercial media are not exactly covering themselves in glory with some of their coverage.

For those from overseas, State run ABC have coverage here: Bushfire Emergency - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires/)

Hills surrounding Marysville
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-6.jpg


Farm near Buxton
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-7.jpg


At Kinglake (where there were the most fatalities) just before last light to pickup burn victim. Main street in the background.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/Micksphotos/fire-10.jpg

[R.OCKAPE]

I had heard of some of the operators looking for Medium Pilots to break their full time guys approaching F&D time limits.

[BigMike]

206dvr,
call the following if you like. It can't hurt.

The Helicopter Group
Heli-Serv
Professional Helicopter Services
(all contracted on fires with 206's and in Melbourne)

Minimums for Vic fires are: 1500TT, 100 on type, fire ex, complete online DSE Wildfire Awareness course. At least that is what it used to be I think. The operators will know.

[Schumi - Red Baron]

Just came across this official aircraft list being used in victoria....


http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/aircraft/aircraftlist.htm

[206dvr]

Thanks mate I'll give them a call

[JerryG]

Huge thanks to all the guys who have been working so hard, particularly those who attended Redesdale. Our new home in the bush, only four weeks since we got the keys, was a scary place to be on Saturday.

We eat a lot of thick smoke and, as naive POMS, we learned to make a "fire plan" in about thirty minutes when the wind changed. All well in the end for us, so sad for so many others.

Stay safe guys. Surreal times indeed.

JerryG

[John Eacott]

These photos are from the Herald Sun's readers pictures page, here. (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/gallery/0,22010,5037340-5006020,00.html)


Shane Quinn took this picture on Saturday February 7 from his balcony in Narre Warren, North of the fire that swept along Crawley Road & up into Harkaway. What started as a grass fire quickly spread into an inferno until the combined efforts of the CFA and the Elvis Ariel (sic) support helicopter brought it under control.

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6483643,00.jpg



Photo taken by Chris Roche of bushfires at Narre Warren North, Harkaway.

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6476530,00.jpg




Photo taken by Chris Roche of bushfires at Narre Warren North, Harkaway.

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6476523,00.jpg



http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6480750,00.jpg

[CYHeli]

This is not my photo, but is doing the email rounds.
It is at a wedding at De Bortoli Wines in the Yarra Valley.
Makes for a memorable day...
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z275/colundy/Wedding-Photo-Taken-at-De-B.jpg

[mickjoebill]

Shane Quinn's shot is a perfect example of Elvis in action.

An outstanding image to promote aerial firefighting in Australia

Thanks for posting it John.

Mickjoebill

[topendtorque]

A news report tonight that they have pulled in an extra 600 firies to try to finish containment lines ahead of projected real bad conditions again next week.
Better get some rest you guys.

[pisstin broke]

What is the battle plan for the large helicopters wrt these fires? I assume there is little point trying to fight the fires on a large front so do they just remain at the ready to deal to the smaller localised fires such as we see in the above photo?

[Barkly1992]

I must say I am a bit disappointed that in all of the very well deserved thank yous to the CFA, SES, Fire Brigades, armed forces, emergency services, ambulance, police and others, there is not more up front acknowlgement of what you rotorheads are doing. Many pictures of you guys (and gals) in action on the TV - but never a close up. Only spectacular shots of your 'war horse' in action.

ABC TV - how about a behind the scenes video seeing the fight from their point of view.

But thanks anyway.

:ok:

[John Eacott]

Melbourne Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-reports/water-bombing-aircraft-grounded-on-black-saturday-inquiry-told/story-fn4chuwg-1225855475407)

Water bombing aircraft grounded on Black Saturday, inquiry told

* Norrie Ross
* From: Herald Sun
* April 19, 2010 1:33PM


SOME firefighting aircraft were not available to fight the Black Saturday bushfires because they were grounded by weather conditions or overheated due to the extreme conditions, the bushfires royal commission heard today.

Nicholas Ryan, the head of the state aircraft unit on February 7 last year, told the commission that a number of factors limited the uses of aircraft on very high fire danger days.

A large number of aircraft, including Elvis-type air cranes, were used on Black Saturday but they were mostly exclusively used for asset protection and not to stop the spread of the fires across the state.

Among the incidents that hampered aerial operations on the day was when an aircraft fighting the devastating Kilmore East fire overheated, a helicopter dispatched to the Bendigo fire couldn't get off the ground and a helicopter was stood down at Churchill when it was also grounded.

Mr Ryan said that on Code Red fire days it was almost impossible to get aircraft quickly enough to the source of fires to have any effect on the spread.

"Once a fire reaches half the size of this room on a day like that you'd be very lucky to do anything with it," he said.

Mr Ryan said that the massive DC10 aircraft brought to Victoria for evaluation during the 09/10 fire season would unlikely to have had much effect on the fire like the one that overwhelmed Marysville.

"That aircraft is a line building aircraft. Most of the work carried out on February 7th was asset protection," Mr Ryan said.

The DC10 cost the Victorian Government $10 million for the 60-day contract and it has the ability to drop fire retardant line of 500m by 30m.

Commissioner Ron McLeod asked why a town like Marysville could not have been protected if the DC10 was available.

Mr Ryan said that the aircraft could only help stop the spread of a fire if the spotting distance was not greater than the width of fire retardant line.

Counsel assisting, Melinda Richards, said there was evidence the Murrindindi fire that hit Marysville was spotting at a distance of 5km.

"It's (the DC10) unlikely to have much impact in those fire weather conditions," Ms Richards suggested.

"That would seem logical," Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the standing costs of of Victoria's fire fighting aerial fleet was $18 million.

It cost $20,000 a day for an air crane in standing charges plus $11,000 a day if it was operating.

Mr Ryan admitted that there were communication problems on Black Saturday with aircraft caused by the volume of radio traffic and a lack of "radio discipline" among operators and pilots.

The hearing is continuing.

[mickjoebill]

The transcript is worth a read.

The witness evidence was that ON A BAD DAY, unless a heli gets airborn quickly it is good for assett protection only.

However Council indicated that Narrewareen and another fire was contained by Elvis on Feb 7th.


In general commissioners were interested in the time it takes to task aircraft.
They were exploring the notion that a higher number of light utility helicopters, which could automatically respond on pager (as in WA) rather than waiting 30(?) minutes for three levels of admin to task, as in Victoria, would have better chance to deliver water to the fire when it could do some good. 1st 900 liter drop within 15 minutes (followed by more drops) or a 9000 liter drop within 45 minutes?




Also yesterday a very experienced air attack supervisor described the fire conditions as not unprecedented in respect to rate of spread over a short period of time, but unprecedented that the conditions did not abate. He described flying conditions as marginal and uncomfortable but not unsafe.

In my view this statement gave more credence to the idea of a small quantity of water delivered early is in general a better plan than a large drop delivered later, by which time even if the attack is successfull on the source of the blaze, the spotting effect is the horse that has since bolted.

other interesting fact was cost of retardant on DC10 is around A$35k per drop.
Estimated total cost per drop is around A$100k.(depending on number of drops)

That is a lot of time in light helis, even if they are responding to false alarms...


Mickjoebill

[Blackhawk9]

Saw a special on the DC10 , the tank system for it is 3 of the Erikson tanks same as on the Skycrane bolted onto the belly and it takes at least and hour to turnaround between drops, how many tanks of water could a Skycrane dropped in that time?
Seems to me a poor invesment , how many more Skycranes and Bell mediums could you get for the cost of the DC10?

[stonedigger]

take the WA example: they use B3's with bellytanks and quick turnaround times, literally no or only minor power issues and a water capacity that is not bad at all.

how many B3's could you get for a skycrane? something i feel the fire authorities in VIC could think about in the future.

[topendtorque]

How many B3's are there? and can they fly them in cheaply from other areas, perhaps in a DC10 cargo carrier?

I heard from someone that they were the cheapest per litre of water delivered, I assume the standard B3 here?

i note somewhere in the proceedings a rare note of accord, on the burning off of dry matter in the cooler times.
Howvever they were talking about 1 to 2%, not the 8 to 12% as recommended by top CSIRO scientists. a long, long way to go me thinks.

but with the widespread rain last season, not long to prove it all again:ugh::ugh:
cheers tet

[CYHeli]

On black Saturday we were doing scenics in a BA at Echuca at the Southern 80 Ski race. We were not hampered by the heat to the extent that we couldn't fly. And we were carrying more than one pax! There's only one air attack supervisor per helicopter on fires.

The AS350 we had wasn't fitted out with DSE radios and we didn't (I still don't) have the experience to fly fires so we weren't involved.

But bigger is not always better. There is a contract in Vic that a plantation runs. They have a helicopter there that responses with the CFA and often gets there before the ground crew and deals with the threat. More helicopters, well placed and responding on pagers would be the way to go.:ok:

[catseye]

A recent study by some of the RFS in central west nsw and NPWS working the Sydney catchment found a significant reduction in large fires when quick reaction fixed and rotary wing aircraft were deployed simultaneously with the big red truck or the npws striker.

Sparks and wildfires aka NPWS gave a public briefing at one of the towns on the blue mountains parks boundary.

Sydney catchment team use a BK117 together with a Raft team with a very good result. yes it costs but it is far cheaper than running some of the shambolic fire management big fire operations.

The fixed wing machine supporting crews around Orange has had a similar effect particularly in the more remote areas. often the Dromader and now airtractor reach the fire before the big red truck and ground crews.

Going back to the early days before systems and approvals an Agwagon with half a bag of super mixed in the hopper was one of the best quick reaction machines.

Should be more quick reaction and simultaneous dispatch.

Bring back Freddo.

:DCatseye

[mickjoebill]

A recent study by some of the RFS in central west nsw and NPWS working the Sydney catchment found a significant reduction in large fires when quick reaction fixed and rotary wing aircraft were deployed simultaneously with the big red truck or the npws striker.

Could you point me to that study?

Mickjoebill

[plankus]

Just came across this official aircraft list being used in victoria....


http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/upda...rcraftlist.htm (http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/aircraft/aircraftlist.htm)

Apologies for dredging up such an old thread, but does anyone know if a resource like this is publicly available for NSW? Looks very useful!