Firehawk Trials in Oz 2016/17 fires season

[The Ozzie BOY]

Has anybody got any information how the FireHawk trails went last fire season in Ozz?

[havick]

Wasn't really a trial at all. Timberline helicopters operated their UH60 on CWN operations under a discreet AOC via Pays. I think they got picked up for some work and the client was happy.

[SASless]

Would their performance in Oz be any different than that of their work in the USA for the USFS and State Agencies?

Choose the right airframe/equipment combination for the need and Bob's your Uncle.

Chinooks, Skycranes, Hueys, 212's, 412's, 61's, even Jet Rangers or MD-500's....pick the right tool from the box.

[Ian Corrigible]

Early feedback from January: Timberline Blackhawk arrives for Australian summer (http://aviationspottersonline.com/timberline-blackhawk-arrives-for-australian-summer/)
Some stats for the first fire the Blackhawk worked at – The Mulligan Flat Fire – With Bucket on transiting at 110knots, 34nm in 18 mins and spent 3 hours on the fireground delivering 65 buckets @ 3,400 litres for a total of 221,000 litres.

I/C

[The Ozzie BOY]

Thanks for the info

[BigMike]

How does that compare with an Mi-8 with a similar bucket, in doc's?

[belly tank]

They are still restricted category, so no better than a K-Max or a 214 or any other restricted machine in my opinion ,maybe a tad faster but still can't carry Pax or winch crew. I'd love to see it work to be able to carry crew as it would be hands down a fantastic machine if we're unrestricted, but I think it will be a long haul given US and Aus restrictions on military types.

[SuperF]

I thought that the 214's were civil so could carry pax?

[havick]

They are still restricted category, so no better than a K-Max or a 214 or any other restricted machine in my opinion ,maybe a tad faster but still can't carry Pax or winch crew. I'd love to see it work to be able to carry crew as it would be hands down a fantastic machine if we're unrestricted, but I think it will be a long haul given US and Aus restrictions on military types.

Rumor has it (and it's only a rumor) that the fire agencies in Australia are working with CASA to have all fire personnel considered essential crew thus being allowed to carry them on board restricted category aircraft. I heard this from a few varying sources but I'm on the fence as to whether there's any truth to it or not.

[heliduck]

no better than a K-Max.
Wash you're mouth out with soap belly tank! There's not a machine in the world which can be compared to the beast which allows the pilot solitude & holds itself together despite looking like it's trying to pull itself apart!:ok:

[havick]

They are still restricted category, so no better than a K-Max or a 214 or any other restricted machine in my opinion ,maybe a tad faster but still can't carry Pax or winch crew. I'd love to see it work to be able to carry crew as it would be hands down a fantastic machine if we're unrestricted, but I think it will be a long haul given US and Aus restrictions on military types.

Same thoughts over here in the US when UH60's first came on the scene. They've had absolutely no problems getting picked up on contracts or CWN work.

I don't think that at the moment ITAR are allowing end user certificates to foreign companies/entities for used UH60's, so it may well be a race to for which ever Aussie companies ink operating deals with US operators on discreet AOC's.

Also food for thought are all the Billings and Colombia CH47's that are ousting all the S64's on the fire front, especially now that a reliable tank has been built and tested.

[The Ozzie BOY]

Also has anybody got any info on how the belly tanks are going on the Firehawk AC in the US ?

[icedriver]

They are still restricted category, so no better than a K-Max or a 214 or any other restricted machine in my opinion ,maybe a tad faster but still can't carry Pax or winch crew. I'd love to see it work to be able to carry crew as it would be hands down a fantastic machine if we're unrestricted, but I think it will be a long haul given US and Aus restrictions on military types.

214's are transport category not restricted.

[crusty1]

I tried to say something BUT its Gone into space... So will try again.

Those numbers seem a bit fishy to me... 180 mins 65 buckets.
Thats 2.8 mins round trip ( to and from the fire) ! thats 1.4 mins each way WITHOUT taking into account slowing down and transition to pick up water and back to flight then dump the water and go again! If that was the case on that fire the water must of been beside the fire! NOT too many fires with the luxury of water right beside the fire that I have been on!
Butni might do the numbers next time i ever get water that close to the fire, and work out the cost per litre involved.
Accountants can make numbers talk BUT each job has its own problems, Trees around the wat point, windy escarpments, wires etc!

[belly tank]

Seems there's some more Hawks planned for Aus supported by Sikorsky in a JV. Was reading on the other Aus industry website, maybe upto 20.

https://www.stickytickets.com.au/55897/starflight_media_event__blackhawk.aspx

[Ian Corrigible]

More on that A$170 Mil Sikorsky Helitech/StarFlight program here: 7 News Melbourne (https://www.facebook.com/7NewsMelbourne/videos/10155691689714301)

Sikorsky Helitech's GM says that the aircraft will have "a maximum speed of 180 knots," so apparently they'll be dive-bombing the local bush fires. :E

I/C

[RVDT]

I/C,

That's only VNE for the landing light or searchlight extended! :p

When they used to maintain them at Dirty Harry's in Sydney, part of the check was VNE on the way back. ~ 193 knots apparently. Audible for sure.

[belly tank]

Ex-US Army Black Hawks to be refurbished in Australia for firefighting operations | Australian Aviation (http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/07/ex-us-army-black-hawks-headed-down-under-for-fire-fighting-operations/)