PDA

View Full Version : Aussie Bushfire Heli Ops

Autorotate
5th Jan 2002, 03:21
Just got back from the NSW Bush fires. Amazing amount of helos operating there. From the heli base I was at for the week we had the following.

BK-117 (Powercor Lifeflight) with Bambi Bucket
BK-117 (McIver Aviation) with Bambi Bucket
CHC Bell 212 with Conair Tank
CHC Bell 412 with Simplex Tank
UH-1H (Helipro NZ) with Fire Bucket
BK-117 (Helipro NZ) with Fire Bucket
Bell 206B (Heli Aust) as Air Attack Supervisor
Bell 206B (Commercial Helicopters) with Bambi

* We also had the Air Crane in for a couple of days but it was being tasked everywhere there was property threatened.

For those that were bagging John Eacott and the Lifeflight BK-117 he was actually doing a great job on the fires, as were all the machines. In total there are about 57 helos working the fires.

We were working the Limit Hill (Colo Heights) fire and the Kurrajong Heights fire. I personally watched the helos save 25 hours and buildings from the fires. I was privilieged enough to spend all my time in the back of the air attack machine so it gave a great perspective on what was happening.

To any of you out there who are working on the fires, congrats on a job well done.

Autorotate.
Off road
5th Jan 2002, 17:33
I was just about to start a thread in regards to aussie bush fires as I have been (trying to)following it form the tv news broadcasts but I had not realised there are that many heli operating out there at the moment. I did see the Erikson aircrane a couple of times and the odd jet ranger and bk 117 but that was it.

But as we are on the subject of bushfires, how do you train to become a heli fire fighter???

I would like to see some serious input on this subject from experienced pilots or info on how to get trained for this.

Keep up the good work and fly safe.
____________

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing...

____________ <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Gainesy
5th Jan 2002, 20:27
Big thread on this in Dunnunda & Godzone forum, including input & pix from John Eacott and others who are flying bucket ops. Well worth a look.