16 October 2013 (UPDATED 19 February 2014) © Brenden Scott & David Eyre
For the 2013/14 fire season, McDermott Aviation won the contract to supply helicopters as Helitak (Helicopter Air Attack) aircraft, using Bell 214B helicopters, which are significantly more powerful and each carries three times more water than the Squirrels that they replaced. A Sikorsky S-64E Aircrane will be used as the heavy Helitak, but no S-61s are to be leased, as the Bell 214B helicopters carry an equivalent load.
The Scouts are all owned and managed by DPaW, which holds an Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The Air Tractors and all of the air attack platforms (except VH-YUQ) are also managed by DPaW.
Squirrel VH-YUQ, together with all of the Helitaks and Air Intelligence, are managed by DFES.
AIR ATTACK
Air Attack call signs are fire agency designations for air attack supervisor platforms, and the call signs remain unchanged regardless of whether the actual airframe is changed. DPaW frequently rotate their Scout fleet around the various bases, so their Air Attack callsigns change, but their SPOTTER callsigns remain unchanged.
- Air Attack 1 / FIREBIRD 620 / VH-EGU Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Soloy SD2 – Helicopter Logistics – Based at Jandakot. NOTE: Sometimes VH-JTQ is used as Air Attack 1.
- Air Attack 2 – Scout (rotated). Based at Bunbury.
- Air Attack 3 – Scout (rotated). Based at Manjimup.
- Air Attack 4 – Scout (rotated). Based at Albany.
- Air Attack 5 / FIREBIRD 623 / VH-YUQ Eurocopter AS355F1 Twin Squirrel – McDermott Aviation – Based at Jandakot.
- Air Attack 6 – Scout (rotated). Based at Jandakot
BIRDDOG: Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan (Shine Air)
Fixed-wing aircraft used primarily for air attack supervision.
BIRDDOG 622 / VH-AQL
SPOTTER: American Champion 8GCBC Scout (Department of Parks and Wildlife – DPaW)
Photo © David Eyre
The Department of Parks and Wildlife uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions. The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews.
VH-KTG was built in 2011, and is seen here landing on runway 06L after a bush fire patrol.
Photo © David Eyre
The Department of Parks and Wildlife uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions. The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews.
VH-DXL was built in 2009, and is seen here taking off from runway 06L for another forest/bush fire patrol.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2010. The Department of Parks and Wildlife uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions. The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews.
Photo © David Eyre
The Department of Parks and Wildlife uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions. The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews.
Each aircraft uses the callsign “SPOTTER” followed by their individual number, e.g. VH-DXM is “SPOTTER 643″.
SPOTTER 640 / VH-LKQ
SPOTTER 641 / VH-DXZ
SPOTTER 642 / VH-KTG
SPOTTER 643 / VH-DXM
SPOTTER 644 / VH-CVI
SPOTTER 645 / VH-BKH
SPOTTER 646 / VH-DXL
SPOTTER 647 / VH-LKV
SPOTTER 648 / VH-KUE
SPOTTER 649 / VH-DXU
?? / VH-CFJ (privately-owned) – Based at Albany.
BOMBER: Air Tractor AT-802 & AT-602 (Dunn Aviation)
This aircraft has a different firefighting water dispenser to the AT802 and AT802A aircraft.
Built in 2005.
Photo © David Eyre
Returning at 14:58, after fighting a bushfire near the town of Dwellingup in WA’s south west. The fire started just before midday from a burn on private land between the Pinjarra Williams Road and Davis Road. 30 firefighters worked on the ground in conjunction with two Air Tractor AT802 fixed-wing water bombers and two Bell 214B1 HELITACs to fight the fire. With fairly strong winds, the fire moved fast towards the town, but it was contained so that no properties were damaged.
Built 2010, ex N8521E.
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © Matt Hayes
Built 2010, ex N8521E, EC-LHZ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2013, this brand new aircraft was only registered on 28 September 2013.
Photo © David Eyre
Dunn Aviation Australia provides fixed-wing fire bombing aircraft for the WA Government – the Air Tractor AT-802 and AT-602 for water and fire retardant dropping. Its aircraft are also contracted out to other states to perform firebombing and agricultural duties.
Based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Manjimup, Albany.
BOMBER 601 / VH-DUQ AT802 – Based at Albany
BOMBER 602 / VH-NIY AT602 “Forever Young” – Based at Jandakot
BOMBER 603 / VH-NIN AT802A
BOMBER 604 / VH-DUN AT802A “Ian Leslie” – Based at Jandakot
BOMBER 605 / VH-NIZ AT602 “Rock n Roll”
BOMBER 606 / VH-NIA AT802A – to be sold in NSW
BOMBER 607 / VH-DUJ AT802 – Based at Albany
BOMBER 608 / VH-DUA AT802 “Magic” – Based at Jandakot
BOMBER 609 / VH-DUW AT802A
BOMBER 610 / VH-JID AT802 “Chop”
BOMBER 611 / VH-NIP AT802A
BOMBER 612 / VH-NID AT802A “The Boss” – Based at Jandakot
FIREBIRD:
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Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Soloy SD2 & AS350BA Squirrel & Bell 206B JetRanger III (Helicopter Logistics)
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Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II (Heliwork WA)
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Eurocopter AS355F1 Twin Squirrel (McDermott Aviation)
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Eurocopter Bo-105LS-A3 (Heliwest)
Returning after coordinating firefighting aircraft at a bushfire near the town of Dwellingup in WA’s south west. The fire started just before midday from a burn on private land between the Pinjarra Williams Road and Davis Road. 30 firefighters worked on the ground in conjunction with two Air Tractor AT802 fixed-wing water bombers and two Bell 214B1 HELITACs to fight the fire. With fairly strong winds, the fire moved fast towards the town, but it was contained so that no properties were damaged.
This Squirrel features panoramic windows and cabin doors, and was converted when in the USA with a Soloy SD2 kit, which included replacing the original Turbomeca Arriel engine with a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 engine.
It was previously painted all over with a stars and stripes American flag and used for scenic flights by Las Vegas Helicopters (see http://www.airliners.net/photo/Las-Vegas-Helicopters/Eurocopter-AS-350B-2-Ecureuil/0827674/L/ ). In 2007, it was sold to Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters for scenic flights, and painted with this rainbow livery.
It is owned by Queensland-based Pacific Crown Helicopters, but has been based at Jandakot for the past month, operating as a “FIREBIRD 620″ for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services – these helicopters coordinate aerial firefighting operations.
Built in 1999, ex N5225A, N616LV, XA-SCL, N616LV.
Photo © David Eyre
The FIREBIRD helicopters coordinate aerial firefighting operations. VH-YUQ has been used in this role in other States of Australia in the past.
Built in 1981, ex N281AP, N117LB.
Photo © Brenden Scott
Jandakot-based – Fitted with Wescam MX-15i high definition FLIR turret, laser mapper and microwave transmitter. Used as an aerial command and control helicopter to coordinate firefighting operations.
Photo © Matt Hayes
The Air Attack FIREBIRDS coordinate aerial firefighting operations, and can usually be seen circling high above firefighting aircraft. The Air Intelligience FIREBIRD is an fire information resource for incident managers on the ground.
FIREBIRD 620 / VH-EGU Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Soloy SD2 – Helicopter Logistics – Based at Jandakot – Also uses callsign ‘Air Attack 1’
FIREBIRD 621 / VH-KSV Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II – Heliwork WA – Based at Jandakot
FIREBIRD 622 / VH-JTQ Eurocopter AS350BA Squirrel – Helicopter Logistics – Based at Jandakot – Sometimes uses callsign ‘Air Attack 1’ , when VH-EGU is unavailable
FIREBIRD 623 / VH-YUQ Eurocopter AS355F1 Twin Squirrel – McDermott Aviation – Based at Jandakot – Also uses callsign ‘Air Attack 5’
FIREBIRD 624 / VH-JRI Bell 206B JetRanger III – – Helicopter Logistics – Based at Jandakot
FIREBIRD 625 / VH-XRG Eurocopter Bo-105LS-A3 – Heliwest – Based at Jandakot (Air Intel) – Fitted with Wescam MX-15i high definition FLIR turret, laser mapper and microwave transmitter.
HELITAC: Bell 214 (McDermott Aviation, QLD, Australia) & Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane (Erickson Air-Crane, USA)
Queensland-based McDermott Aviation won the tender to provide fire fighting helicopters for the 2013/14 bush fire season (October – April).
The Bell 214B is the most powerful (2950 SHP) single engine helicopter in the world, fitted with the Isolair ‘Tsunami” Belly Tank, with 2,700 Litres capacity.
Built in 1976, ex 105(Royal Air Force of Oman), 755(Royal Air Force of Oman).
Photo © David Eyre
Queensland-based McDermott Aviation won the tender to provide fire fighting helicopters for the 2013/14 bush fire season (October – April).
The Bell 214B is the most powerful (2950 SHP) single engine helicopter in the world, fitted with the Isolair ‘Tsunami” Belly Tank, with 2,700 Litres capacity.
Built in 1976. Ex N49732, 101 (Royal Air Force of Oman), 751(Royal Air Force of Oman).
Photo © Matt Hayes
Queensland-based McDermott Aviation won the tender to provide fire fighting helicopters for the 2013/14 bush fire season (October – April).
The Bell 214B is the most powerful (2950 SHP) single engine helicopter in the world, fitted with the Isolair ‘Tsunami” Belly Tank, with 2,700 Litres capacity.
Built in 1977. Ex N5750L, N234PH, 756 (Royal Air Force of Oman), VH-LYH.
Photo © Brenden Scott
Returning after fighting a bushfire near the town of Dwellingup in WA’s south west. The fire started just before midday from a burn on private land between the Pinjarra Williams Road and Davis Road. 30 firefighters worked on the ground in conjunction with two Air Tractor AT802 fixed-wing water bombers and two Bell 214B1 HELITACs to fight the fire. With fairly strong winds, the fire moved fast towards the town, but it was contained so that no properties were damaged.
Leased for the 2013/14 bush fire season (October 2013 – April 2014). The Bell 214B is the most powerful (2950 SHP) single engine helicopter in the world, fitted with the Isolair ‘Tsunami” Belly Tank, with 2,700 Litres capacity.
Built in 1981, ex N2179R, JA9304, N4410N, C-GTWG, F-GJKZ, N214JL.
Photo © David Eyre
Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane (cn 64-022)
Erickson Air-Crane, named “Marty”, seen when operated for FESA (Fire & Emergency Services Authority) for the 2011/12 bushfire season, at Emu Lake, Ballajura – Wed 28 March 2012.
The S-64E can release up to 7,000 litres of water or fire retardant in a single drop.
The helicopter was built in 1967 as a Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe (civil designation S-64A) for the US Army and allocated military serial 67-18420. It was delivered to the US Army in August 1967, serving with the following units:
– 273 Aviation Company
– 273 Assault Support Helicopter Company “Superhooks”
– 478 Heavy Helicopter Company “Hurricanes”
– 62 Aviation Company
– 85 Division Training
– NASA, Langley Field (Loaned in 1973)
– 478 Aviation Company (Heavy Helicopter)
– Pennsylvania National Guard
– stored at the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Centre (AMARC), at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona
On 8 April 1994 it was sold to Lenair Corp, and registered N22696 on 27 June 1994.
On 23 January 1997, it was re-registered as N544CH to Columbia Helicopters International.
On 2 December 2002 it was sold to Erickson Air-Crane Inc. and reregistered as N243AC on 10 January 2003.
Photos © David Eyre
Small, medium and heavy fire fighting helicopters are operated for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the fire season (October – April).
Four Bell 214 helicopters are based at Jandakot and two Bell 214’s are based at Busselton. The S-64E Skycrane is based at Serpentine Airfield, south of Perth.
HELITAK 671 / N1073W Bell 214B – Based at Jandakot
HELITAK 672 / N49732 Bell 214B1 – Based at Jandakot
HELITAK 673 / N234PH Bell 214B1 – Based at Jandakot
HELITAK 674 / P2-MLJ Bell 214B – Based at Jandakot
HELITAK 676 / P2-MSA Bell 214B – Based at Busselton
HELITAK 677 / C-FXNI Bell 214B1 – Based at Busselton
HELITAK 741 / N243AC Sikorsky S-64E “Marty” – Based at Serpentine
Hi David, sorry to ask the same question you’ve got over the years, but do you know the contact within DPaW for Fixed Wing Ops positions, or should we contact the operators directly?
Have sent you an email.
Hi Kelvin, please could I get contact details for DPaW contact regarding flying as a fire spotter pilot.
thanks regards
Rob
Does anyone know any details about the requirements to meet to be able to apply to fly the Scouts for DPaW?
Cheers,
Kelvin.
Hi Kelvin,
Have sent you an email.
Regards,
David
Hi
I am very interested in being part of the team doing the fire spotting flights in the American Champion 8GCBC Scout.
Could I perhaps have some information who to contact for this?
Regards
Francois
Firespotting flights in the American Champion Scouts are operated by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, so you should contact them regarding this.
These flights are flown by a single pilot in the aircraft – there are no additional people in the aircraft.
Regards,
David Eyre
Would anyone have a contact information for companies providing firefighting aircraft/helicopter for hire?
McDermott Aviation provided the Bell 214B1 BigLifter helicopters for this fire season, with Dunn Aviation providing fixed wing aircraft. You could try contacting either of their companies via their websites.
Regards,
David Eyre
I was wondering if anyone has the contact information for the person at the DPaW that oversees the hiring for Spotter pilots?
Hi Aaron,
Have sent you an email.
Regards,
David Eyre