Aussie fire contracts
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Autorotate,
Just found your post in the longest flight section. You know, the funny thing is I've been flying one of the 5 EC120s in Ozz recently.
Send me a PM if your interested.
Send me a PM if your interested.
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I've heard that they are trying to phase out the ex military 204's as there have been some problems with the machines carrying non essential crew members. has anyone else heard this?
I was just reading about painting blades in hi-vis colours, and john was saying something about the paint affecting the balance of the blade. This can be easilly offset by not just painting the red lines on the blades, but also where the white is required, use white paint. We do this and have never had any problems with balancing at all.
I was just reading about painting blades in hi-vis colours, and john was saying something about the paint affecting the balance of the blade. This can be easilly offset by not just painting the red lines on the blades, but also where the white is required, use white paint. We do this and have never had any problems with balancing at all.
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Sorry to bother you again, but you guys still seem to guys to ask about firefighting in Australia and I'm still interested in finding out how. Can any one point me in the right direction, any help gratefully recieved, cheers, McShrek
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Dynamic Component.
It wasn't the fact that Griffo said Ericksons could be working in Aussie, I know we are all wondering that. It was the fact that he said "It could be us" Who is "us", does Griffo own Ericksons?
It wasn't the fact that Griffo said Ericksons could be working in Aussie, I know we are all wondering that. It was the fact that he said "It could be us" Who is "us", does Griffo own Ericksons?
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captjohn1000,
I do apolagise for the confusion then.
Back to the origanal topic-Anything happening with the fires??Saw a helicopter working on the fires in Qld somewhere.
I do apolagise for the confusion then.
Back to the origanal topic-Anything happening with the fires??Saw a helicopter working on the fires in Qld somewhere.
Fires? Plenty of them, one 3000 hectare in SE Victoria, and numerous throughout NSW.
Meanwhile, we went skiing in another foot of fresh powder today.....
And Commercial Helicopters turned up to support the Magpies in this afternoon's Grand Final
Meanwhile, we went skiing in another foot of fresh powder today.....
And Commercial Helicopters turned up to support the Magpies in this afternoon's Grand Final
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Was over at the Wildland Fire Fighting Conference in Sydney last week and the general consensus was that the AFAC and NAFC involvement in this contracting is the biggest stuff up since Ben Hur.
Seems like they still havent said who has won the contracts and the fire season is already in full swing. Dont know if John Eacott or the others know whats going on but its a circus at the very least.
I do know that Superior Helicopter will have their first Kmax up and operational on the 1st of November and the second one a week later. Carson will have their two S-61s down there for the season on an ad hoc basis and I also heard that they did flight testing of their new belly tank for the S-61 and it went very well.
Any one else have any updates on the season so far.
Seems like they still havent said who has won the contracts and the fire season is already in full swing. Dont know if John Eacott or the others know whats going on but its a circus at the very least.
I do know that Superior Helicopter will have their first Kmax up and operational on the 1st of November and the second one a week later. Carson will have their two S-61s down there for the season on an ad hoc basis and I also heard that they did flight testing of their new belly tank for the S-61 and it went very well.
Any one else have any updates on the season so far.
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Gibbo,
I sincerily beleive that the ideal platform to conduct air attack and incendary is via lights such as the 206 , ec 120's etc, they do not require a huge load carrying capability as it is often yourself , air attack supivisor and maybe a DFO so 3 at max but usually only 2 persons on board during recon, AA, mapping etc.
The lights are cost effective and well suited for the job, im quite happy lurking around up there in our 206, sure id like to do some bucketing but thats life, the boys in the 600+ litre capability are doing fine. Recently on a fire in late september this year in the hunter valley area, i was doing air attack for a 407, and a 206L4 bucketing and things went just fine.
Its not a case of the RFS getting rid of the lights, just a matter of better alocating resourses i think.
I sincerily beleive that the ideal platform to conduct air attack and incendary is via lights such as the 206 , ec 120's etc, they do not require a huge load carrying capability as it is often yourself , air attack supivisor and maybe a DFO so 3 at max but usually only 2 persons on board during recon, AA, mapping etc.
The lights are cost effective and well suited for the job, im quite happy lurking around up there in our 206, sure id like to do some bucketing but thats life, the boys in the 600+ litre capability are doing fine. Recently on a fire in late september this year in the hunter valley area, i was doing air attack for a 407, and a 206L4 bucketing and things went just fine.
Its not a case of the RFS getting rid of the lights, just a matter of better alocating resourses i think.
It does seem, though, that Ericson has the RFS in their pockets - another operator offered Skycranes and Bell 214ST (carry 18 troops at 145 kt) at a MUCH CHEAPER rate than Ericson, but they have got the standard "If you ain't heard, you ain't in it" reply. No reason, no explanation, no sense. No wonder.
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Well at least some info has come out.
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Aviation
AUSTRALIAS LEADING HELICOPTER COMPANY
AFAC Aerial Fire-Fighting Contract
In a massive boost for an Australian owned and operated Helicopter Company, Queensland based, McDermott Aviation, has won the lion’s share of a fiercely contested, joint Australian Federal/State Government Aerial Fire-Fighting contract for the coming season in Australia, with options for the subsequent two seasons.
The contract, viewed by Fire Agencies nationwide as a major leap forward in Australian Wildfire management, was put out to International tender for the first ever time by Australian Government departments in June this year.
McDermott Aviation, whom have arguably been the most proactive Aerial Fire-Fighting Company over recent years in Australia, with self funded investing and administered professionalism, second to none in Australia, today emerged as a real “Home-Grown” initial-attack weapon, not only for the scorching Australian Bushfire seasons, but is furthermore being courted for alternate seasons in Europe, as well as North and South America.
The tender process saw some “Big Name” International, together with the cream of Australia’s Aviation Operators; offer an eclectic array of aerial possibilities for AFAC (Australian Fire Authorities Commission) to sift through.
The five contracts awarded to McDermott Aviation cover four States and Territories, incorporating, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and The Australian capital Territory.
The contracts come as a timely bonus for McDermott Aviation whom only this year, in conjunction with ISOLAIR Int. designed, financed and fitted a custom built belly tank aptly named “Tsunami” for the undercarriage of the Bell 214B’s that will be supplied for each of the five contracts.
During the most recent fire disaster in Sydney –NSW 2002/03, McDermott Aviation helicopters were deployed into some of the most severely effected areas, regularly flying 10 hour operational days per helicopter, with all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance carried out ‘after-hours’ to ensure all machines were available for tasking each morning. During one eight-week period McDermott’s helicopters flew 817 hours with three Bell 204’s, with only one unscheduled maintenance issue resulting in one aircraft being unavailable for one day! Last season, two of the 'heavy lift' (3000 litre) 15-passenger Bell 214B helicopters were introduced, proving extremely efficient and cost effective (with a third now in operation).The two 214B’s flew a total of 800 hours from October 2002 to February 2003 and provided a 99% availability call out rate.
The Bell 214B is largest single engine helicopters built and operated in the world. These are the largest Helicopters operated in Australia, by a private company and in fact the Chinook, operated by the RAAF is the only helicopter in Australia, capable of ‘out-lifting’ the Bell 214B.
For more information on McDermott Aviation and the AFAC contract please contact;
Scott Dillon
Sales and Marketing Director
McDermott Aviation
ph. 61 7 5447 6600 Cellphone (61) 0418 713 333
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Aviation
AUSTRALIAS LEADING HELICOPTER COMPANY
AFAC Aerial Fire-Fighting Contract
In a massive boost for an Australian owned and operated Helicopter Company, Queensland based, McDermott Aviation, has won the lion’s share of a fiercely contested, joint Australian Federal/State Government Aerial Fire-Fighting contract for the coming season in Australia, with options for the subsequent two seasons.
The contract, viewed by Fire Agencies nationwide as a major leap forward in Australian Wildfire management, was put out to International tender for the first ever time by Australian Government departments in June this year.
McDermott Aviation, whom have arguably been the most proactive Aerial Fire-Fighting Company over recent years in Australia, with self funded investing and administered professionalism, second to none in Australia, today emerged as a real “Home-Grown” initial-attack weapon, not only for the scorching Australian Bushfire seasons, but is furthermore being courted for alternate seasons in Europe, as well as North and South America.
The tender process saw some “Big Name” International, together with the cream of Australia’s Aviation Operators; offer an eclectic array of aerial possibilities for AFAC (Australian Fire Authorities Commission) to sift through.
The five contracts awarded to McDermott Aviation cover four States and Territories, incorporating, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and The Australian capital Territory.
The contracts come as a timely bonus for McDermott Aviation whom only this year, in conjunction with ISOLAIR Int. designed, financed and fitted a custom built belly tank aptly named “Tsunami” for the undercarriage of the Bell 214B’s that will be supplied for each of the five contracts.
During the most recent fire disaster in Sydney –NSW 2002/03, McDermott Aviation helicopters were deployed into some of the most severely effected areas, regularly flying 10 hour operational days per helicopter, with all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance carried out ‘after-hours’ to ensure all machines were available for tasking each morning. During one eight-week period McDermott’s helicopters flew 817 hours with three Bell 204’s, with only one unscheduled maintenance issue resulting in one aircraft being unavailable for one day! Last season, two of the 'heavy lift' (3000 litre) 15-passenger Bell 214B helicopters were introduced, proving extremely efficient and cost effective (with a third now in operation).The two 214B’s flew a total of 800 hours from October 2002 to February 2003 and provided a 99% availability call out rate.
The Bell 214B is largest single engine helicopters built and operated in the world. These are the largest Helicopters operated in Australia, by a private company and in fact the Chinook, operated by the RAAF is the only helicopter in Australia, capable of ‘out-lifting’ the Bell 214B.
For more information on McDermott Aviation and the AFAC contract please contact;
Scott Dillon
Sales and Marketing Director
McDermott Aviation
ph. 61 7 5447 6600 Cellphone (61) 0418 713 333
[email protected]
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Hey John.
Is that photo of the DC-10 fair dink?
Looks like the desert country around Mojave in California. I know they have a lot of surplus airliners there. I can just see some of the RFS air attack supervisors trying to fit THAT into the circuit.
Re: the discussion about light machines bucketting.
I fly a 1000 litre machine, but have a bit of time bucketting in the 206 as well.
What's the bigger waste of resources?
(a) A JetRanger trying to extinguish active metre high flames.
or
(b) A Huey dousing small but numerous smokers.
I firmly believe that a combination of bucket sizes working together provides the most efficient use of resources. It always seems to work best when a heavy, a medium and a light work the same fire and pick the targets that best suit their load. I think a policy which restricts light helicopters from bucketting would be a retrograde one
Is that photo of the DC-10 fair dink?
Looks like the desert country around Mojave in California. I know they have a lot of surplus airliners there. I can just see some of the RFS air attack supervisors trying to fit THAT into the circuit.
Re: the discussion about light machines bucketting.
I fly a 1000 litre machine, but have a bit of time bucketting in the 206 as well.
What's the bigger waste of resources?
(a) A JetRanger trying to extinguish active metre high flames.
or
(b) A Huey dousing small but numerous smokers.
I firmly believe that a combination of bucket sizes working together provides the most efficient use of resources. It always seems to work best when a heavy, a medium and a light work the same fire and pick the targets that best suit their load. I think a policy which restricts light helicopters from bucketting would be a retrograde one
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...............CHECK BACK IN 4 MONTHS..........
Hate to put the mocca on things fellas, but history is a damned great teacher....................last year was an exception to the rule....this year it is expected there will be no more fires than is USUAL.....certainly nothing like last year or the year before and that should be the case for up to seven more years!
Why then all the crap flying around that this year will be as big as last year....it's all to do with funding...."keep the momentum going while the dollar's flowing".... Any doubters....check back in 4 months and let's see who is right and who is wrong. If you spent a motza this year getting ready then my guess is the only fire you'll be attending is Your Firesale next season.
Why then all the crap flying around that this year will be as big as last year....it's all to do with funding...."keep the momentum going while the dollar's flowing".... Any doubters....check back in 4 months and let's see who is right and who is wrong. If you spent a motza this year getting ready then my guess is the only fire you'll be attending is Your Firesale next season.
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PROPSWINGA,
Would have to agree with you It always sounds better if you say it is gona be a bad one and it aint, compared to saying it aint gona be a bad one and it is.
I think I just confused myself there
You know what I mean
It's not looking good for the aviation comunity sofar.
Would have to agree with you
It always sounds better if you say it is gona be a bad one and it aint, compared to saying it aint gona be a bad one and it is. I think I just confused myself there
You know what I mean
It's not looking good for the aviation comunity sofar.
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Aussie fire contracts
I heard along the grape vine that JW will be importing 212s and crews from Canada for the upcomming NSW fires?
What is wrong in using existing companies already set up like the likes of Mcdermott (204s and 214s) years of experience or Helicopters Australia (B3s) .. already working in Brisbane/Perth again very experienced.
Why do we need to look overseas when the hardwear and competent cerws are here already??????????????????
What is wrong in using existing companies already set up like the likes of Mcdermott (204s and 214s) years of experience or Helicopters Australia (B3s) .. already working in Brisbane/Perth again very experienced.
Why do we need to look overseas when the hardwear and competent cerws are here already??????????????????
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you two blokes,, fair dinkcum..
Just perhaps the experience is not available within Oz..
How many 212 drivers do you know that work and live in Oz?
How many 212's are operating in Oz?
There you have it,,not many, actually bugger all.
How many Aussie pilots are there in Canada working either full time or during their fire season there, HEAPS.
I dont think for one minute JW would put on a canadian crew ,if there was an Aussie crew available.
So, quit ya whinging and get the experience that is required for the job.
It might help if you learn to spell also.
Just perhaps the experience is not available within Oz..
How many 212 drivers do you know that work and live in Oz?
How many 212's are operating in Oz?
There you have it,,not many, actually bugger all.
How many Aussie pilots are there in Canada working either full time or during their fire season there, HEAPS.
I dont think for one minute JW would put on a canadian crew ,if there was an Aussie crew available.
So, quit ya whinging and get the experience that is required for the job.
It might help if you learn to spell also.
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Over the last few fire seasons there have been several US and Canadian machines and crews here in Oz. And don't forget Burger that one of the Oz operators you mentioned has imported machines/crews and sent machines to Canada and Europe, it has to work both ways. If you don't want overseas operators here then our blokes should not do the same thing.
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Greetings all,
I think you should grab experience from wherever you can get it in life and death situations. Beetling around in smoke is NO PLACE for getting experience. If overseas guys are current and expert why not grab the journeymen. The punters on the ground in their shorts and singlets holding the garden hoses around smouldering garden beds won't care one little bit.
Incidentally, AFAIK one of the companies earlier mentioned, isn't Australian owned and has a high proportion of overseas pilots on past and present employment lists anyway. Despite the name.
Maybe, someone may be able to enlighten the forum on the carding system used in Nth American fire fighting operations. Does this is the type of system ensure that you are trained up qualified to be chasing flames and smoke?
Cheers,
DD
I think you should grab experience from wherever you can get it in life and death situations. Beetling around in smoke is NO PLACE for getting experience. If overseas guys are current and expert why not grab the journeymen. The punters on the ground in their shorts and singlets holding the garden hoses around smouldering garden beds won't care one little bit.
Incidentally, AFAIK one of the companies earlier mentioned, isn't Australian owned and has a high proportion of overseas pilots on past and present employment lists anyway. Despite the name.
Maybe, someone may be able to enlighten the forum on the carding system used in Nth American fire fighting operations. Does this is the type of system ensure that you are trained up qualified to be chasing flames and smoke?
Cheers,
DD