Category Archives: helicopter firefighting
The Next Generation
I was reading a post on Facebook the other day by one of our newer pilots. He was going to celebrate his Mother’s birthday. She was turning 56. What? A few of our other pilots are about the same age … Continue reading →
Firefighting in the city
Athens, Hellas and the wildfire that had travelled cross country for about 15 miles, was now reaching the city. The fire was running through the upscale neighborhood about as fast as a person could run. There were in fact a … Continue reading →
Flight, Duty, Safety and Profit
When I first started flying helicopters commercially in about 1975, my boss told me that he could use all the helicopters he could get for about 5 months of the year. After that, he said “I wish you could all … Continue reading →
The Start and Finish
Our S-64 Air Crane had been checked and made ready for the first fire call of the day, if it was ever to come. Time now, to get into the books, flight manuals, study guides, or maybe less demanding pursuits. … Continue reading →
Say Again ?
I fly mostly in countries other than the U.S.A. English is the international language of aviation and anywhere in the world I fly I am able to communicate in some fashion in English. Being able to communicate in a common … Continue reading →
He could have been….
A Chief Pilot I worked for many years ago had developed an obvious problem with alcohol consumption. In those days the stereo typical bush pilot and helicopter pilot was a hard flying,drinking,living, rugged individual or so the myth was sold.I … Continue reading →
Heli-Tanker
I was talking to a new friend the other day about my job as a firefighting helicopter pilot. He asked me if the Erickson Air Crane that I flew was the largest fire fighting helicopter in the world. It is … Continue reading →
We just got hit
A friend asked me recently about bird strikes with helicopters. The recent landing of an Airbus A320 in the Hudson River after a bird strike no doubt prompted his question. When you fly at lower altitudes as most helicopters tend … Continue reading →
Helping Out
The helicopter I fly is the best initial attack firefighting helicopter in the world. I have flown at least 46 other models of helicopters and yes, there are several other good helicopters out there but none better. My point is … Continue reading →
I really like this city
Melbourne ,Victoria,Australia. I have been here twice this year and didn’t really expect to be here at all.I really feel at home in Melbourne.My very first flying job in Australia was based here at the Essendon Airport and I can … Continue reading →