single engine firefighting
 

AS350 Firefighting!

I have to say - I actually felt afraid a couple of times. Admittedly the perspective is skewed but that bucket was very close to the ground, he was transiting through almost non-VFR vis, everything was a rush and the bucket continually hit the ground before the water tank, it looks like rising ground to the RHS of the water tank - why isn't the tail downhill (?) and finally he fly's into the smoke again after flying past a larger pool at 07:30 sec's. He probably couldn't get into it due having the bucket on the belly. There is a lot to be said for a 100ft line.

single engine firefighting
 

Hi

Which types and where SE helis are actually participate in dropping water on fire? Is this effective? Is this cost efective?

Thanks

Down this way - whatever is available. Typically AS350 and MD500 variants. In fact, this is the norm.

It is generally neither high nor particularly hot though.

Over here heaps of squirrels, in fact I believe the cheapest price quote a couple of years back per litre of water delivered was via the lycoming engined variety or standard B3..
But in reality when push comes to shove and assets are scarce especially in the fringe states such as Tasmania which have 206's often on the bucket line and in the Northern Territory, 206 and R44's.There seems to be a couple 206L getting around most places as well.

Victoria and NSW have the highest population base and the most firefighting activity where 206's nowadays get to fly around directing the traffic only.

Bucket work on fires was started with 206's back in late seventies just after Airfast went into receivership.

In Spain and Portugal:
AS350
Bell 205
Bell 407
AW119

AS350 B3+ are very fast and very effective with a good pilot

The cost effective medium singles include the B205, B214B and the AS350B3, all of which are in use in the continuing bushfires this summer in Victoria and Tasmania.

NSW used to have a heavy reliance upon the B206 and then the AS350 for initial fire response, but these are generally only now used for AAS (Air Attack Supervisor) except in extreme conditions such as the Mt Wellington fire west of Hobart in the early days two weeks ago,when nothing else was available.

you can seen in this vid how effective the AS-350 can be, specially in tight situations and confined areas

We have discussed this Video before-and this is not a "good" example of fire fighting.....

Mostly AS350, B204, B205, B214, EC120 and 130, plus a few 212 Singles in Canada.

Crikey, that's a bloody short line on that bucket!

Light singles...highly effective in the right hands. Obviously depends on fuel type , terrain, wx etc.....

The Bell 206L4 with TRAC's, AS350B3 and Bell 407 are used extensively in the US... Can point you in the right direction for more info if needed.

BTW--as hueyracer stated---That video is THE WORST example of heli-firefighting I have ever seen. And I do this full time.

Shortened until it came into the camera frame?

For those of us who are uninitiated could you elaborate?


Mickjoebill

Like has been said. If there is a fire take every asset available and use it. There is a village just meters away.

Maybe in the above video the pilot is not long-line experienced but the only one available on short notice! He´s doing a hell of a better job than no helicopter at all.

Have a look at how the bucket is swinging-he is not able to stabilize it on his approach.

Have a look at his pattern-it is the pattern a "low time pilot" would choose...

Have a look at his drops-they are inaccurate, and in the wrong spots.

Fighting fire does NOT mean to drop water into the flames-more important than that is to cut the way the fire will take, and prevent it from growing...

Last but not least his turns are too big-he could be more efficient than that.

With that short line, the wind (and oxygen) he is putting into the fire have a bigger effect than the few drops of water (that he can´t drop in the right spots)...

But i have seen pilots like this many times-in Portugal and Spain....

Don´t want to comment on that any further......

Thank you for your reply

I greatly appreciate if you can comment on the following:

What will be your recommendation if you had to choose between 407 and AS350B3 and why?

What is the best configuration (bucket vs tank)?

Once again
Thank you guys for helping me

AS 350 B3 bucket, but expect to pay lots.

For less money Bell 206 L4 with TRACs, better performance than the 407, slightly less than the 350.

Bucket because you can fill it where water level is low.

The type depends more on support in your area and availability of type rated pilots and mechanics. 350B3 or 407 or 206L4 are all good choices. Also B212 is a consideration!

Fixed wing also if there is a big lake nearby but I would always want to have the fixed wing just to supplement the helicopters. The helicopters big or small will usually always move more tons of water pr/hr to the area than fix wings.

That´s true only if you have a bucket with PowerFill. A bucket without It where the water level is low is unuseful.

Ask 3 pilots-and you will get 4 different opinions...
;)

It all depends upon where you want to fly the machines...

I have seen Belly tanks with a retractable filling hose, i have seen Buckets with Powerfills.....but:

Every system/helicopter is only as good as the pilot operating it..


I do not understand some companies/customers insisting on Multi-Pilot operations in Multi-Engine-helicopters due to some dodgy "safety regulations"....


A single pilot/single engine helicopter (when well maintained), flown by a well trained and experienced pilot is as safe as a ME-helicopter flown by 2 experienced pilots......

One more thing comparing the bambi bucket to the belly tank:
The bambi bucket can easily be repaired-even in the field..