Well at least some info has come out.
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Aviation
AUSTRALIAS LEADING HELICOPTER COMPANY
AFAC Aerial Fire-Fighting Contract
In a massive boost for an Australian owned and operated Helicopter Company, Queensland based, McDermott Aviation, has won the lion’s share of a fiercely contested, joint Australian Federal/State Government Aerial Fire-Fighting contract for the coming season in Australia, with options for the subsequent two seasons.
The contract, viewed by Fire Agencies nationwide as a major leap forward in Australian Wildfire management, was put out to International tender for the first ever time by Australian Government departments in June this year.
McDermott Aviation, whom have arguably been the most proactive Aerial Fire-Fighting Company over recent years in Australia, with self funded investing and administered professionalism, second to none in Australia, today emerged as a real “Home-Grown” initial-attack weapon, not only for the scorching Australian Bushfire seasons, but is furthermore being courted for alternate seasons in Europe, as well as North and South America.
The tender process saw some “Big Name” International, together with the cream of Australia’s Aviation Operators; offer an eclectic array of aerial possibilities for AFAC (Australian Fire Authorities Commission) to sift through.
The five contracts awarded to McDermott Aviation cover four States and Territories, incorporating, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and The Australian capital Territory.
The contracts come as a timely bonus for McDermott Aviation whom only this year, in conjunction with ISOLAIR Int. designed, financed and fitted a custom built belly tank aptly named “Tsunami” for the undercarriage of the Bell 214B’s that will be supplied for each of the five contracts.
During the most recent fire disaster in Sydney –NSW 2002/03, McDermott Aviation helicopters were deployed into some of the most severely effected areas, regularly flying 10 hour operational days per helicopter, with all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance carried out ‘after-hours’ to ensure all machines were available for tasking each morning. During one eight-week period McDermott’s helicopters flew 817 hours with three Bell 204’s, with only one unscheduled maintenance issue resulting in one aircraft being unavailable for one day! Last season, two of the 'heavy lift' (3000 litre) 15-passenger Bell 214B helicopters were introduced, proving extremely efficient and cost effective (with a third now in operation).The two 214B’s flew a total of 800 hours from October 2002 to February 2003 and provided a 99% availability call out rate.
The Bell 214B is largest single engine helicopters built and operated in the world. These are the largest Helicopters operated in Australia, by a private company and in fact the Chinook, operated by the RAAF is the only helicopter in Australia, capable of ‘out-lifting’ the Bell 214B.
For more information on McDermott Aviation and the AFAC contract please contact;
Scott Dillon
Sales and Marketing Director
McDermott Aviation
ph. 61 7 5447 6600 Cellphone (61) 0418 713 333
[email protected]