Police and Fire Helicopters

[Rotorhead]

Nice graphics, especially on the nose!

Dan 

[kick Z tail out]

One of Columbia's 107s coming back to Hemet-Ryan as night approaches.

[kick Z tail out]

Heard what I thought was Helitack 301 flying over my house this evening... saw what it was and recognized it from a blip in Vertical Magazine this past month, and of course the coverage of our LA area APSOCALers.   Went over and talked to the crew for a bit. Like everyone already knows, they're back from Australia and ready for the US fire season. However, the USFS has decided not to certify the Bell 214 for firefighting, so they're in the process of getting a contract through Cal Fire and are expecting to be based at the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack base if everything goes well.

[blazer]

Copter 15 from Fire Service Day

[phantomphan1974]

Heard what I thought was Helitack 301 flying over my house this evening... saw what it was and recognized it from a blip in Vertical Magazine this past month, and of course the coverage of our LA area APSOCALers.   Went over and talked to the crew for a bit. Like everyone already knows, they're back from Australia and ready for the US fire season. However, the USFS has decided not to certify the Bell 214 for firefighting, so they're in the process of getting a contract through Cal Fire and are expecting to be based at the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack base if everything goes well.

So I wonder what USFS's issue is.....

[blazer]

Forest Service is picky with their aircraft. The Super Scoopers ( CL-415 ) are not certified to fight fire on USFS property despite the fact they're 20 + years younger than any of their tankers.

[blazer]

Copter 15 again today at 129s.

Landing with the moon

[kick Z tail out]

Forest Service is picky with there aircraft the Super Scoopers ( CL-415 ) are not certified to fight fire on USFS property despite the fact there 20 + years younger than any of there tankers.

I'm wondering also if it has something to do with it being single engined. Because come to think of it, there aren't too many single engine helicopters contracted by USFS... I know Cal Fire has been running into some issues in recent years with their UH-1 fleet. I heard they've had a couple scares, and I actually witnessed one in person - luckily the crews are veterans and know what they're doing. They jettisoned the water about 100 feet from me and went for the low ground to set down.

[WARBIRD KEITH]

Rescue5

[kick Z tail out]

Nice shot Keith, love the good old Sea King.  Interesting... I never noticed that bird had the same -DF FAA registration as Cal Fire. Worthless trivia.

[kick Z tail out]

Doing some training before they suddenly disappeared this week. No idea where they went, but it seems they packed up and left.

[phantomphan1974]

2nd one is nice one Nate.

Skip any clue to its departure?

[robin990]

The newest 212HP on earth and onto a firefighting career.

[robin990]

San Diego Fire Dept. 412 at Van Nuys today

[phantomphan1974]

Nice ones Skip, might stop by after work today to see what helos are around.