Chinook In NSW for fires

What have you heard?
User avatar
hand in pants
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1615
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby hand in pants » Sat Dec 5 2015, 20:58

If rfs don't talk up the death and destruction they don't get the funding. Look at the cost of having the Hurc and the DC10 sitting around doing nothing at huge expense "just in case". Millions of dollars heading overseas. Sky cranes I can understand, but big fixed wing aircraft that need big runways, no. A waste of my money.
Hand in Pants, I'm thinking, my god, that IS huge!!!!!!!!
Capt Slong
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 48
Joined: Dec 2008

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Capt Slong » Sun Dec 6 2015, 02:35

There is quite a lot of truth in that comment.
User avatar
havick
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1300
Joined: Jun 2007

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby havick » Sun Dec 6 2015, 05:41

The herc is actually quite a good machine with a great drop pattern, the DC10 not so much.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel."
User avatar
hand in pants
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1615
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby hand in pants » Sun Dec 6 2015, 20:57

Okay, there is a huge fire (death and destruction rfs style) bearing down on a town in central NSW, who do you send, Herc, DC10 or ghost busters?????

None of the above, you send boots on the ground and helicopters or the air tractors, something that can land almost anywhere or can pick up water from a creek not passenger carrying aeroplanes.
Hand in Pants, I'm thinking, my god, that IS huge!!!!!!!!
User avatar
havick
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1300
Joined: Jun 2007

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby havick » Sun Dec 6 2015, 22:11

Have you seen the herc or DC10 drop for yourself? I have seen both whilst sitting in a 212 at the time, the Herc was really effective however the DC10 you could barely see the drop line at all.

Obviously I'm biased towards helicopters but credit where credit due.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel."
choppermech1986
1st Dan
1st Dan
Posts: 285
Joined: Sep 2007

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby choppermech1986 » Mon Dec 7 2015, 01:56

HIP, I couldn't agree more but who we send and who the RFS send are two very different things.

The media, pushed by the PR departments of Coulson, Erickson, et al, would crucify those who make decisions at the top of the the RFS. You would hope that the RFS understand that not everything they are told is true however public servants aren't known for their critical thinking.

IMHO, it's all a massive smokescreen, if anybody believes that aircraft prevent death and destruction, they're sadly mistaken. It's cold fronts that prevent death and destruction, the aircraft just give the guys on the ground a bit of belief that they're not alone.

I suppose I can't be too critical though, many of us make a living out of this smokescreen!
User avatar
hand in pants
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1615
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby hand in pants » Mon Dec 7 2015, 07:33

"IMHO, it's all a massive smokescreen, if anybody believes that aircraft prevent death and destruction, they're sadly mistaken. It's cold fronts that prevent death and destruction, the aircraft just give the guys on the ground a bit of belief that they're not alone."

Well said.
Hand in Pants, I'm thinking, my god, that IS huge!!!!!!!!
Capt Slong
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 48
Joined: Dec 2008

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Capt Slong » Mon Dec 7 2015, 07:54

I don't think that is quite right. Admitadly the boots on the ground, rain or the ocean put out fires in Australia. But aircraft used within their capabilities and given an achievable goal are well worth the money spent. It's all a team effort.
User avatar
Twistgrip
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1169
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Twistgrip » Fri Dec 11 2015, 10:33

DC10 clip (Its not great ).....But some of the assets that got a start today ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usOBMQ3ZlBU
"You can watch things happen, you can make things happen or you can wonder what happened"
smiley
New Member
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Dec 2015

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby smiley » Sun Dec 20 2015, 08:19

No longer fiction! It was being used on the fires in NE Vic today. Pictured on Facebook in Albury - N947CH.
https://www.facebook.com/river1057/posts/1004532679589206
User avatar
FerrariFlyer
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1543
Joined: Aug 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby FerrariFlyer » Sun Dec 20 2015, 12:49

I know it's an innocent misquote however, with a cruise speed of 545km/hr as listed on the Facebook page....that's just shy of 300kts!!! Very impressive for responding to a fire.
Heli-Ops
3rd Dan
3rd Dan
Posts: 590
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Heli-Ops » Sun Dec 20 2015, 17:54

Chinook isn't operational yet. From what I was told it was assembled at Essendon and now on its way to Sydney. All the rest of its support gear is due in couple of days and then its good to go - wherever its needed.
NZHelo
2nd Dan
2nd Dan
Posts: 425
Joined: Jun 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby NZHelo » Sun Dec 20 2015, 21:15

FerrariFlyer wrote:I know it's an innocent misquote however, with a cruise speed of 545km/hr as listed on the Facebook page....that's just shy of 300kts!!! Very impressive for responding to a fire.


"Thor" is in fact the name Coulson gave to one of their Hercs. So I believe people have been confused with the picture of the chinook being in the feed.
Plus, if you re-read the piece, the author never mentions the Chinnook cruising at 545km/h......A C130 however will.
Attachments
tumblr_m8za7hb2DG1rd6hk2o1_500.gif
User avatar
FerrariFlyer
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1543
Joined: Aug 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby FerrariFlyer » Mon Dec 21 2015, 04:51

NZHelo, your aerosexual knowledge is duly noted.

Are you back down this way for work again?
NZHelo
2nd Dan
2nd Dan
Posts: 425
Joined: Jun 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby NZHelo » Mon Dec 21 2015, 05:50

I only recently dusted off my old Qantas tote bag. Pleasantly found my arrival and departure journal donned on the old anorak and towelling hat as if it was '89.
Im a little further south now buddy.....better traffic pattern
212bushman
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 13
Joined: Jul 2012

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby 212bushman » Tue Dec 22 2015, 21:53

Yep , the big tandem in YSCN. Nosed into the hangar. Probably getting its' radios sorted I say.

212bm
212bushman
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 13
Joined: Jul 2012

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby 212bushman » Wed Jan 13 2016, 00:45

Helitack 279 is in Vic. Has been down the very sth & today on standby in central Vic.

212bm
User avatar
havick
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1300
Joined: Jun 2007

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby havick » Wed Jan 13 2016, 01:13

looks to be sitting at Mansfield backfilling the S61 which is currently attached on the Lorne fire, for the hot couple of days we're having down here in VIC.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel."
Hircher
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 18
Joined: Feb 2011

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Hircher » Wed Jan 13 2016, 21:00

Anyone have or know of any pics of it in action?
Heli-Ops
3rd Dan
3rd Dan
Posts: 590
Joined: Sep 2006

Re: Chinook In NSW for fires

Postby Heli-Ops » Thu Jan 14 2016, 06:45

Couple of samples of ones I shot on the Lorne Fire.



Image

Image

Image

Return to “I heard...”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests