RFS 412s

[Evil Twin]

You’ll get no argument from me there Dave, it was just rattling round in the memory banks

[Heliduck]

I saw N reg helicopters flying in Australia with Australian operators during the fires. Are these flown by local pilots? If so do they fly on FAA licences?

You don’t need an FAA licence to fly N registered aircraft in Australia, you need a CASA licence.

[Bellringer]

Makes you wonder why operators register VH rather than N in that case? I am sure I met US pilots flying N reg in Australia who did not have CASA licences.

[havick]

Makes you wonder why operators register VH rather than N in that case? I am sure I met US pilots flying N reg in Australia who did not have CASA licences.

Because you’re basically limited to only doing AWK under a discreet AOC (ie no Charter), with a foreign tail number. Unless the rules have changed on that front since I left Aus on that front.

[Hello Pilots]

Don’t quote me but I think there may also be a maintenance thing. (Awesome quote though aye)

[UnObvious]

Another benefit of keeping them off the VH register is your pilots don't have to have a fire fighting endorsement and all the garbage that goes along with it. So much for safety.

[havick]

Another benefit of keeping them off the VH register is your pilots don't have to have a fire fighting endorsement and all the garbage that goes along with it. So much for safety.

Only true if they’re being operated under a discreet AOC, the licensing rules and ops manual of the originating country then apply. It’s upto the Aussie operator that the discreet AOC is under the umbrella is operating and licensed per above.

But that’s all a thread drift and kinda moot as the aircraft related to this thread will be VH registered and administered by Coulson which did all the work years ago to get their own Australian AOC. Guess the work is paying off, only downside is ultimately profits going offshore. But they set themselves up correctly with paperwork to capitalize.

[Twistgrip]

The Canadians and Americans (Wildcat,Erickson et al) have been doing it here for 20 + years. During the late 90’s early 00’, there weren’t many Aussie companies that had light twins or mediums on fires to invest in only to sit around most of the year on hope, our industry just isn’t that big and the work is just not there year round in GA. There were only a couple of Aussie operators I know of back then that are still around today that had 204’s / 205’s and BK’s (yes they were all the rage back then!)

The overseas operators above turned up in droves with 212’s / 412’s, S61’s 64’s etc and this is where it all started. These companies came here under the discreet AOC’s and got NAFC contracts as they had the experience in running larger machines. The rest is history. Shame.

[Helical]

Coulson have started advertising for 412 drivers.

http://coulsongroup.com/employment/2020 ... RYlHII8VG4

[havick]

Coulson have started advertising for 412 drivers.

http://coulsongroup.com/employment/2020 ... RYlHII8VG4

Rumor has it they’ve already employed one Aussie to be the lead pilot on that contract and a few others have been interviewed also.

[TreeTrimmer125]

This may be a silly question so fire at me...

"Type II turbine powered helicopters -750 hrs ..."

is that a Canadian / US thing? Why not just call it twin experience or XYZ hrs? Or does it refer to a twin above a certain weight category - hence the type II reference?

[487072]

Type is the official category of firefighting aircraft. Light/medium/heavy and single/twin/multi aren’t used to officially categorise firefighting aircraft. See NAFC Standards http://nafc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2 ... r-2012.pdf

[zipp]

I thought in NSW they were called light/ medium or Heavy!!!!! Must be a Victorian thing!!

[bangequalsbad]

It doesn't matter what aircraft they use, if the missions are as poorly tasked as the wild goose chasing that took place this season, then a fleet of S92s won't be sufficient.

Bang"trust me I'm the government"EqualsBad.

[Jabberwocky]

http://flightplanet.com/helicopter-for- ... _28921.php

Might glow in the dark perhaps

[godfather007]

Remove stickers, spray with white and red as desired.
Add stickers and BOOM! She’s ready to play with.

[Twistgrip]

I’m sure it will go to good use.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/12282016

[godfather007]

Oh..
What a mess!

[Twistgrip]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/showstoppers-emails-reveal-barriers-to-flying-firefighters-in-black-hawks-20201007-p5630x.html

Seems the Blackhawk pax carrying issue has resolved itself and rightly so, you can’t have rules for some and not others in my opinion. I’m certain operators of restricted category 205’s to name one type wouldn’t be too impressed if they weren’t allowed to use the same dispensation that these Blackhawks were looking for. Hence I guess the 412’s entering the RFS system.

[UnObvious]

I have a feeling if they do ever find a way to use the Hawks, there'll be a similar tender process to the 412 contract and they'll be run by Coulson.