Trev007 makes a good point, although not necessarily about the Aircranes which are now locked in such that it would be brave Pollie to refuse to renew their contract
Our Government departments (primarily the DSE, who apparently invented fire) have steadfastly failed to support local operators, thus denying them any returns on investment for aviation fire fighting assets. Added to this restriction is the refusal of the FAA and the USFS to allow any non N reg to operate on the CONUS on fire ops, and our weak willed pollies who allow N reg (and others) to operate here with almost impunity, thus denying local operators work.
This flows on to the work force, thus restricting jobs and opportunities for aircrew, engineers, and all associated support companies. John McDermott and his 214B's spring to mind; completely locked out of Victorian fire ops because of one bl**dy minded DSE air desk moron with a small man's inferiority complex
