Call for private helicopters to aid bushfire response

[ShyTorque]

Irrespective of these inappropriate personal gripes of some at what is surely a time of national crisis and great tragedy...
Being on the other side of the globe and not being a local, if I were in a position to offer my services to the Ozmates as a helicopter pilot, I would certainly do so.

[Jabberwocky82]

You would be much more useful donating your time to such things as driving hay around, fixing fences etc. They already have dedicated rescue machines on the fire grounds who don’t do a whole lot as it is, putting private operators in to that mix along with the other water moving aircraft is not a good idea at all.
The 5000 hour Blackhawk pilot would appreciate that.

[ShyTorque]

If they don’t need (Blackhawk and fire bucket qualified) pilots with over twice that experience, so be it.

[havick]

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky82

You would be much more useful donating your time to such things as driving hay around, fixing fences etc. They already have dedicated rescue machines on the fire grounds who don’t do a whole lot as it is, putting private operators in to that mix along with the other water moving aircraft is not a good idea at all.
The 5000 hour Blackhawk pilot would appreciate that.

There’s a big difference between the fire itself and a fire base / rural airport.

A private machine isn’t really getting in the way if they aren’t on the fire ground itself. Still plenty of other ancillary tasks that could be helpful, such as moving injured wildlife etc.

Moving people around in a private machine though is probably unwise given the liability etc.

The reality is though there isn’t really the infrastructure there to coordinate private aircraft that aren’t on the NAFC/Airdesk register.

Airdesk won’t touch you with a 10ft pole for obvious reasons, but nothing stopping them giving approval to fly yourself in to an airbase to pick someone or something up.

[junior.VH-LFA]

Originally Posted by ShyTorque

If they don’t need (Blackhawk and fire bucket qualified) pilots with over twice that experience, so be it.

To operate Clive's private aircraft in a private capacity?

C19/20 REVIEW C1743/19
INTENSE AVIATION ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH FIREFIGHTING OPS
IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY BAIRNSDALE - MANSFIELD - ALBURY - THENCE VIA
THE STATE BORDER TO CAPE HOWE THENCE COT TO LAKES ENTRANCE -
BAIRNSDALE
ACFT NOT COORDINATED THROUGH THE VICTORIAN STATE AIRDESK ARE REQ TO
REMAIN CLEAR
VICTORIAN STATE AIRDESK TEL [phone]
FIREGROUND FREQ 132.55, 135.55, 128.9, 126.35 AND 131.85
SFC TO 6000FT AMSL
FROM 01 060549 TO 01 200600 EST

He can go and donate money if he really wants to help out.

[ShyTorque]

Originally Posted by junior.VH-LFA

To operate Clive's private aircraft in a private capacity?

C19/20 REVIEW C1743/19
INTENSE AVIATION ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH FIREFIGHTING OPS
IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY BAIRNSDALE - MANSFIELD - ALBURY - THENCE VIA
THE STATE BORDER TO CAPE HOWE THENCE COT TO LAKES ENTRANCE -
BAIRNSDALE
ACFT NOT COORDINATED THROUGH THE VICTORIAN STATE AIRDESK ARE REQ TO
REMAIN CLEAR
VICTORIAN STATE AIRDESK TEL [phone]
FIREGROUND FREQ 132.55, 135.55, 128.9, 126.35 AND 131.85
SFC TO 6000FT AMSL
FROM 01 060549 TO 01 200600 EST

He can go and donate money if he really wants to help out.

Firefighting ops is one thing (and I've done it in the past), obviously that's no place for any un-coordinated aircraft to be operating.
But helicopters can obviously be used in many other ways, well away from the fire front. All the disgruntlement and about someone offering to help is hard to fathom. I take it you aren't one of the thousands of needy folk directly affected by this awful tragedy?

[megan]

Moving people around in a private machine though is probably unwise given the liability etc

I've read that Esso have used their 139's, which are in the private category, in support of fire operations. Didn't say doing what exactly, but a thumbs up to the company if fact.

[jimjim1]

Perhaps Mr Palmer could offer to use the machine to do a bit of Aerial Banner flying in support of the reduction of the risk of such fires in the future?

I offer my suggestion. Perhaps Greta Thunberg has something punchier handy?

[ALLAUSFLIER]

Originally Posted by megan

I've read that Esso have used their 139's, which are in the private category, in support of fire operations. Didn't say doing what exactly, but a thumbs up to the company if fact.

The Esso 139s are one the national SAR register I believe. I’d say they were tasked by JRCC to assist.