Originally Posted by
bankrunner
No reason they couldn't be full timers. We pay the AMSA crews year round and they fly what, 150 hours a year?
.
We already have a system that could form the basis of scheme. The reserves, it would take a federal govt that wants to stand up and want to get involved (both politically and financially) and of course legislation change. But it has all the fundamental required for both a full time and an as required force
Purchase of some 737 tankers, they are common plane, ground crew, aircrew spare parts are easily available. The airframes themselves are at a premium atm due to max grounding but that will solves itself soonish, they could be based anywhere in australia due to being such a common aircraft in mainline airlines. Obvious first choice is they base out of where ever the P-8's will be and a RAAF / could be responsible for storage / maintainence during non a fire fighting periods
On the smaller end there have been good results from these float attached 802's
I dont think Cl are the answer unless you get some of the new ones being designed and then multi role them, maybe get some for amsa for a rescue and they can be called up into firebombing roles if and when required