I realise that I have said all this in other posts....but why cannot the current C-130 fleet which we, the taxpayers own, actually be utilised in the dropping of fire retardant 'packages' / 'balloons', rolled out of the rear cargo door, directly onto a fire?
Its true that they would then have to return to a 'suitable aerodrome' to reload, but in this case YPJT is not too far away?
OK YPPH then. The transit time would be 4 minutes longer....
The area around the town of Yarloop etc is 'flat'. North / South runs preferred.
Even the CL-215 type could water 'skim' at the adjacent coast and pick sea water, or is this not allowed?
I just do not know how those 'in charge' think. I would have thought that the cost of a town the size / population of Yarloop would be 'worth it'.
Not to mention the adjacent dairy paddocks and vineyards.
And, just how long to get such an aircraft here - a day or so - or...gee whiz, station a couple over here every fire season!
I realise that I am crying after the horse has bolted....but....all serious answers will be entertained....
No cheers, nope...none at all..!!
