ABC Stateline

[SA Firey]

Stateline had a very interesting segment on the Bomber crews this evening on ABC.

They also told us what all of us has been saying for years, that they could buy 30 Air Tractors to what one Erickson Skycrane costs.

Should be able to view it here when they upload the program http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/04/30/2887542.htm

[SA Firey]

Ive added the link to the program now

[straps]

Lets say that we did go with the 30 Air Tractors option rather than the Sky cranes, how much more infrastructure would be needed to support this.... (I personally think we spend too much on Sky Cranes over Air Tractors, but aerial fire fighting is not my forte, so my opinion is limited).


- Hangar / storage space
- Pilot Crewing
- Ground crewing
- Water Tankers / filling capabilities and consumables (retardant / foam etc)
- Fuel and cartage / storage
- Command / Coordination of ++++ air resources deployed to and at a fireground

Would the above be achievable and effective / sustainable compared to the Sky Cranes...

(PS - I have written the above without yet watching the Stateline story, so will go and watch now...!!!)

Cheers
Shane

[Zippy]

An extra 5 bombers,  2 more helitak low volume's should suffice shouldnt it??

A 2 Bomber Airbase at Maitland would certainly help those guys on the peninsula.   

And how about the Riverland?

the spare money should then go towards the ground crew's.  I.e Appliances, Training...

[SA Firey]

The Air Tractors have proven to be more cost effective as fire bombing aircraft, and the Erickson Skycranes have logistical issues, such as a fuel tanker having to follow them where they are deployed. Next problem for the Aircranes is locating suitable water supply to provide a capability for a sustained bombing run @ 9000 litres a drop. 

Currently the bombers have access to over 200 airfields across the state so hangar space isn't really an issue, whereas an operating cost of $12,000 an hour for the Aircrane is.

[bittenyakka]

also the air crane doesn't run on 9000L per drop it starts of at about 3600L and as its fuel load gets lower it can carry up to 9000L but it going to be close to running on fumes by then

[Darren]

So really its no more effective than the air tractor in the initial stages...

[Burnover]

The Skycrane (S-64E) used in SA has a maximum capacity of only 7500L
The Elvis Skycrane (S-64F) has a maximum capacity of 9800L

[THE RANGER]

First - "Those Air tractor pilots are legends, thanks guys  "

Why spend 30-40 M, on a single item, if something goes wrong you loose 100% of your fire cover, I agree with Zippy, use 50% on the Air Tractor (if something happend to one plane you still have 90%)in addition the Air Tractor is 50% faster, give the stated 3 min response, I know which option I hope responds to a fire in my area.

Spend the other 50% on appliances, training and equipment.

[Alex]

Personally I'd like to see more air tractors and get rid of the errikson, but remember guys.

State [or fed??] gov kicked in an extra $12m [i believe it was] to CFS budget, with the condition it went on air ops for an errikson contract.

I dont think theres an option on where to spend the cash.

Would be nice to see that cash go on further air tractors &/or establishing new PRZs [YP & KI??]

[mengcfs]

Would be nice to see that cash go on further air tractors &/or establishing new PRZs [YP & KI??]

MUR/RIV