Australian Fire Fighting Capacity (Helicopters)

[Chopper Jog]

Could anyone please inform me if there is a need for more heavy twin helicopters (like Pumas) on contract for the fire fighting season in Australia?

Does each state release/publish tenders for their own fire fighting resources in Australia?

How many international helicopters are currently on contract in Australia and what types?

[zlocko2002]

once I saw(on tv) that they do firefighting with bell-206?!! wtf??? useles thing I ever saw! :ugh::ugh:
if they want descent and economical helicopter, Mi-8mtv1 or Ka-32 :ok:

i would love to do firefighting in australia :}

[Freewheel]

There's quite a few machines in the medium/large categories that are brought in for the peak season (november - february) with the odd one staying a little longer.

In general, the states, as well as the national body, will tender for local companies to provide aircraft in association with an overseas sub contractor.

These contracts are usually 3 years or so, with some variations.

In general, find a local operator that's interested in that line of work and work with them on tendering when it becomes available. Each state and the national body are on a different schedule for the tender process, so you may get a chance to make a bid every year.

Good luck! (BTW - I'm available :E)


Zlocko - 206's are often used for providing the appearance of coordination & control so while most still have a bucket, it's mainly for training & decoration nowadays.

[bretto22]

All tenders for aerial suppression in Australia on behalf of the states is done by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) which funded by the federal government.

Each state has their own individual requirements. Here in Queensland we have 4 AS350 B3's from Helicopters Australia on contract during the season (Usually Aug -Nov) and have other machine's available on an Ad-hoc basis.

Victoria, NSW, SA and WA also have contracts with overseas contractors such as Coulson, Erikson and Evergreen Aviation.

I'm a member of the Queensland Air Ops unit, so feel free to contact me if you require anymore info..

Cheers

[Semi Rigid]

zlocko they do use russian aircraft on aussie fires. what russian built aircraft even comes comparably close to the venerable bell 206?

[Phoinix]

I hope I'm not going too far into offtopic with this one...

A friend of my told me that during the aussie fire season there is a great need for pilots. If there are tenders for fire fighting I guess the offering firms bring their own equipment and crews for the job, right? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't see the need for foregin pilots in that matter.

So, is there a need for pilots during the season? If so, what are the requirements and where can the contacts be found.

Thank you for any information.

[Ned-Air2Air]

Some of the various types used on the fires in OZ are as follows:

AS350B3
EC145
Skycrane
S-61
Bell 212
Bell 214B
BK117
Mil-8
SH70 Seahawk
AS350B2

Havent really seen much of the smaller stuff used for anything other than flying the air attack officers etc.

While most of the heavy stuff comes from overseas there are a couple of operators within Australian who are starting to build up the medium/heavy capabilities within country.

Ned

[PO dust devil]

Bretto 22 - If all tenders are being handled by NAFC......refer your post.....Why do DSE in Victoria, bother to call for tenders for fire fighting helos.......

Seems a bit misleading and many/most of the Victorian fire fighting Helicopters come out of the Victorian DSE tenders as far as I know. Probably 8-10 anyway.....You can look up the specs and locations in the tendering site.

If you are going to drop stuff like you are part of some official group you should give accurate statements to go with the authority you stand on.

Maybe there has been a change or better info. you could enlighten us about. Maybe not.
DD

[bretto22]

Whilst that is true that DSE call for tenders, as does QLD, they all go through NAFC to determine funding allocations and to meet set national standards. It has to be ticked off at all levels. I merely mentioned NAFC as one stop shop, as all the tenders are(usually) a posted there.

My apologies if i had mislead anyone.

Cheers