|
Australian floods: helicopters involved
There are some quality images of the Aussy flooding here: Australian floods: heavy rains continue to bring misery - Telegraph
Can PPRuNes from Down Under incidate what (if any) has been the rotary response/involvement to this travesty? Earl |
In large parts of Queensland helicopters are the only form of transport available at the moment. Our company normally has 4 aircraft but we are currently operating 13 in support of the relief effort! The military has also swung into action with Army Blackhawks and Navy Seakings assisting where civilian aircraft are unable to do the job.
|
Good pics of flooding in Qld and NSW from the Boston Globe. Pic 8 gives an idea of helicopter involvement.
|
Aussie Flooding
Great photos indeed, surprisingly from the Boston Globe!
The story at the bottom is typical of the Aussie attitude. :ok: Some more images of the Aussie meyhem: http://lh6.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...%20parking.jpg A car park in Theodore is turned into a make-shift heliport http://lh3.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...20Delivery.jpg An R44 makes bread deliveries http://lh3.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...0_lfVA/205.jpg A 205 in on the relief action http://lh5.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...%20%281%29.jpg An Aussie Balckhawk shifting food supplies http://lh6.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...y-Supplies.jpg A civilian 205 shifting food supplies http://lh3.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...elicopters.jpg Aussie Astar over the flood area http://lh4.ggpht.com/__dRpfF8qlVM/TS...ax%20Mayne.jpg ROLLESTON cotton farmer Max Mayne almost lost it all his crop but the devastating floods couldn't wash away the spirit of generosity of the town's guardian angel. Residents are singing Mr Mayne's praises after he put aside his own problems and is using his helicopter to fly groceries to flood-stricken homes, airlift families to safety and even rescue six stranded pet dogs. "I think he's a bloody hero," said cattle farmer Katie Riethmuller , after he rescued her family from floodwaters south of Emerald. Ms Riethmuller, her husband and their 10-year-old daughter had to survive on lollies, Christmas leftovers and a single packet of peanuts for two days after their car became stranded between two flooded creeks on Boxing Day. "As soon as there's trouble, Max is in the middle helping people out and we just knew sooner or later Max would come," Ms Riethmuller said. "I've been trying to nominate him for the Australia Day Awards. To put other people before himself the way he does is just fantastic." Mr Mayne's property is flooded, his $3 million cotton crop ruined for the third time in a year and most of his machinery is under water. Yet resident Peggy Smith said when a family was cut off from their home by floodwaters Mr Mayne flew in and out through the storms to feed their dogs before flying them to safety. But Mr Mayne was humble about his generosity. "I'm not a hero at all ... mate ... I'm just happy to be helping out. I have a helicopter, I can help people move stuff around and that's all I do," he said. He said the flooding had been a catastrophe for an area still reeling from flooding last year and he was doing what he could to help keep the community running. Evidently this is the dude running the show, relief chief Mick Slater Would be good to hear from those involved. HM |
no ordinary dude me thinks,
Major General Michael David (Mick) Slater DSC, AM, CSC is a senior officer in the Australian Army currently serving as Commander of the 1st Division. He already has lined up our PM with a statement that we need some decent road / rail infrastructure in this country to get around when there is the odd drop of rain. something like designing above the hundred year level. good on yer Mick keep at her. |
|
Everyone is out and about for any piccy posting i think. Media piccies today of one of the Qld govt machines forced down to sit it out for a while on a freeway due lightning, heavy rain. Driver commented that it is the worst he has seen in 25 years of flying helicopters.
However there seems to be plenty on those two other frangible outlets? just avoiding the automatic beeper, sorry. For expats and technocrats here is the giff. The main flood control dam is Wivenhoe which hit 74 metres at 2PM today and at that point the gates are wide open, full throttle so to speak. (one Million megalitres per day). If it hits 75.7 metres the fuse plug goes which allows a second spillway into operation. Lord Mayor of Brisbane is informing us that in the next three to six hours they may get an idea as to whether that will happen. That is designed to never allow water right over the wall. In context the normal bottom of flood gate capacity is about 26 units (one unit being Sydney Harbour size) In the last 24 hours it has been filling at 2 units per day, and will for at least the next 36 hours, if it stops raining. It is designed as a flood mitigation dam (225%) as well as a water storage unit. (100%) The current water level projections of worse than 1974 flood level is not counting when /if the fuse blows. Here is a story on it from earlier today, with an old photograph, only one gate out of five open. Wivenhoe put to the ultimate test - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) The other side of the story is that between the Lockyer valley and the Bundaberg areas pretty much the whole Horticultural producing area of Queensland and crops are in ruins. Plenty of bananas though they say. |
Australian Flood tasking
A significant change from the usual firefighting in Oz this time of the year. Western Australia is still burning from arson.
The publican said.... Where's Lachie????? The following aircraft have been deployed. SES FLOODS WALGETT District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 20,000L GUNNEDAH (RIGID) Location: WALGETT Callsign: REFUELLER 0 Task: REFUELLER Registration: BG-02-XY Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 8/12/2010 7:00:00 AM SES FLOODS COONAMBLE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 15,000L GRAFTON / ROSEWOOD RIGID Location: COONAMBLE Callsign: REFUELLER 0 Task: REFUELLER Registration: YRV 170 Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 1/12/2010 4:00:00 PM SES FLOODS BREWARRINA District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 33,400L BANKSTOWN Location: BREWARRINA Callsign: Task: Registration: AR 18 TR Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 20/12/2010 8:00:00 AM SES FLOODS BREWARRINA District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 22,750L COWRA (trailer) Location: BOURKE Callsign: Task: Registration: V85328 Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 20/12/2010 8:00:00 AM SES FLOOD BOURKE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: AS 350 SUPER D2 Location: BOURKE Callsign: FIREBIRD 314 Task: Trans Registration: LEV Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 21/12/2010 12:00:00 PM SES FLOODS BOURKE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BK117 B Location: BOURKE Callsign: HELITACK 226 Task: Trans Registration: FHF Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 27/12/2010 3:32:00 PM SES Floods Casino District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: B206 BIII Location: CASINO Callsign: FIREBIRD 214 Task: ReCon/Trans Registration: XWX Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 9/01/2011 8:00:00 AM SES Floods Casino District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 25,500L CAMDEN Location: CASINO Callsign: Task: Trans Registration: NV95BK Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 8/01/2011 10:00:00 AM QRFS Flood Refief District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BK 117B-2 Location: CASINO Callsign: HELITACK 220 Task: ReCon/Trans/S&R Registration: UAX Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 10/01/2011 4:00:00 PM SES FLOODS GRAFTON District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: B214B1 Location: GRAFTON Callsign: HELITACK 412 Task: Trans Registration: N28065 Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 1:33:00 PM SES FLOODS GRAFTON District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 214B Location: GRAFTON Callsign: HELITACK 403 Task: Trans Registration: N234PH Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 1:50:00 PM SES FLOODS CASINO District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 212 Location: CASINO Callsign: HELITACK 274 Task: Trans Registration: C-FCAN Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 11:00:00 AM SES FLOODS GRAFTON District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 13,950L COOROY/ BANKSTOWN (RIGID) Location: GRAFTON Callsign: Task: REFUELLER Registration: 286 HDR Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 11:00:00 AM SES FLOODS COBAR District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: GA-8 AIRVAN (GIPPSLAND AERONAUTICS) Location: COBAR AERODROME Callsign: FIRESPOTTER 239 Task: Trans Registration: VEX Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 16/12/2010 2:43:00 PM SES FLOODS BOURKE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 212 Location: BOURKE Callsign: HELITACK 275 Task: Trans Registration: C-GSRH Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 27/12/2010 3:32:00 PM SES Flood Casino District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 206L Location: CASINO Callsign: FIREBIRD 504 Task: ReCon/Trans Registration: FUY Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 8/01/2011 3:30:00 PM SES FLOODS INVERELL District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BK 117B-2 Location: INVERELL Callsign: HELITACK 267 Task: Trans Registration: UAN Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 5:08:00 PM SES FLOODS MOREE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: PA31-350 CHIEFTAIN Location: MOREE AIRPORT Callsign: Task: Trans Registration: VRA Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 12/01/2011 8:00:00 AM SES FLOODS INVERELL District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: FUEL TANKER 16,000L FLEET 1 Location: INVERELL Callsign: REFUELLER 0 Task: REFUELLER Registration: AW 66 KE Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 2:30:00 PM SES FLOODS LIGHTNING RIDGE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BK 117 B-2 Location: LIGHTNING RIDGE Callsign: HELITACK 225 Task: ReCon Registration: FHB Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 3/01/2011 6:00:00 AM SES FLOODS LIGHTNING RIDGE District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 206B-III Location: LIGHTNING RIDGE Callsign: FIREBIRD 230 Task: ReCon Registration: CHO Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 3/01/2011 6:00:00 AM SES FLOODS INVERELL District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 206B-3 Location: INVERELL Callsign: FIREBIRD 239 Task: Trans Registration: JWF Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 12/01/2011 9:30:00 AM SES Flood Casino District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: EC 145 Location: CASINO Callsign: HELITACK 294 Task: Trans Registration: TNG Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 8/01/2011 3:30:00 PM QUEENSLAND FLOODS District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: BELL 212 Location: CASINO Callsign: HELITACK 273 Task: S&R Registration: C-GSGT Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 1:50:00 PM SES FLOODS GRAFTON District: REGION EAST HO - HEADQUARTERS Aircraft Type: B214 B-1 Location: GRAFTON Callsign: HELITACK 279 Task: Trans Registration: C-GTWI Tasking Agency: RFS Deployed: 11/01/2011 1:33:00 PM Total Aircraft: 25 |
Catseye,
Are you tasked up there? Terrible situation, hi to anyone involved from a cold and forecast-to-be-snowbound New York :sad: |
As a Brit rotary guy who flies in Oz I must comment on the efficiency of the logistics of Australia when it comes to getting blades in the air.
Doesn't matter if it's fire or flood, once someone gets the stick between their teeth the whole thing starts going. Lists of tasked helos are on the web, the ring around sets off and with the delightful attitude that we'll apologize to CASA later pilots go off and save lives. As the Australian pilots will tell you, it's all perfectly organized, but it is not, and that's why it works. If Max Mayne, the R 44 farmer had waited for CASA approval for what he did, there would be bodies floating. It is a bunch of guys with a good organizational structure and an Oz spirit that gets stuff done. If the UN ever gets round to commisioning an "International Rescue" (without the pink Rolls Royce) then they should look at the way Australia does it when they get the government out of the way. |
For f*ck sake don't repeat this to anyone but - I've actually got a heck of a lot of time for the Aussies. Their no-nonsense, down to earth "she'll be right mate" approach to most things gets my thumbs up :ok: and is one of the reasons why a couple of them used to work for me!
HM |
Bad News on the way
75% of Queensland is now a disaster zone.
2100 streets will be flooded in Brisbane. Banks of the Brisbane river has just been breached. Power cut to 100,000 homes as of 7am Queensland government slammed by opposition for not having a decent emergency management infrastructure, in particular mention made that the police do not have a helicopter. Rain is affecting entire Eastern Coast with 5 states on flood alert. The next 24 hours will see Brisbane and Ipswich will go under, predicted more than than the highest level ever recorded. Footage of flash flood in town of Toowoomba (elevation 700 meters) Amateur captures nature's fury in Toowoomba - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Amazing story of girl sitting on car as it was swept away, she was saved seconds before the car was going to be funneled under a railway tunnel by a man who grabbed her off the car by leaning over the bridge. As of Wednesday morning 90 people are reported missing, some of these are entire families who were swept away sheltering inside their homes which were swept off their stumps in Grantham and Murphy's Creek. A particularly distressing scene was recorded by a commercial news chopper, of a family in a small sedan completely surrounded by fast moving, meter high water near Grantham, with not a patch of dry land in sight. The news crew flew to pickup an emergency worker but when they returned to the scene there was no sign of the car or its occupants. PM just announced that 15 helicopters will be deployed. Mickjoebill |
With so much activity going on is it possible for some Rotorheads from Australia to post some more photos of the action please.
YBB |
You can start with this clip of a Queensland AW139 rescue ship winching flood victims off a roof.
HM |
The next 24 hours will see Brisbane and Ipswich will go under, predicted more than than the highest level ever recorded ...... |
The next 24 hours will see Brisbane and Ipswich will go under, predicted more than than the highest level ever recorded Wrong. Higher level was achieved in late 1800s, but apparently this is not relevant to hydrologists and other weather experts in their public commentary. Mickjoebill |
BNE flood
JE.
- dont work for them. doing some other managing for the bushies on the situation. KHO was the only southern machine I have seen. Moosp - UN organised task would be body retrieval and no one would be paid for months..... HM thanks Binghi not sure how good their models are but within a metre or two for this level of rainfall would be pretty good. |
Flood relief heli stories
A brief story about flood related missions conducted by Sunshine coast helicopters
Rescue chopper kept busy in southeast Queensland floods - ABC Wide Bay Qld - Australian Broadcasting Corporation Update on ADF heli activity Queensland Flood Crisis | Grantham Rescue | Lockyer Valley (Two Blackhawks Two Sea kings working Grantham which was hit by the flash flood, plus two more Balckhawks and Kiowas available later today). Mickjoebill |
Still very little news and pictures coming through from Australian Rotorheads on this disaster.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...z_1801991c.jpg Question? Reports are saying that only the mother and son of this family (above) could be winched to safety and that the father is missing: Australia floods: racing steward pictured stranded on top of car feared dead - Telegraph They also say that the family were filmed by several news helicopters. Over the years I have read (and watched) when news helicopters take direct action in order to preserve life. Is there a general rule among ENG pilots about this and what and when are the exceptions please? YBB |
Bit out of my field but I reckon an R44 would be able to pick those people off the car with care although I daresay there would be a rush on. Wouldn't the downdraft from a Squirrel or larger machine cause that little car to topple over or spin and very likely lose the lot. I guess you would probably sneak up carefully and observe how you affected it.
I remember a tale from 1974 up in the Gulf out of Normanton where a Bell47 still fitted with the duals was pressed into urgent service and picking people of the roof of station homesteads caused some anxious moments when they used them for grab handles climbing in. |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 10:29. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.