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Post by madmac on Feb 18, 2017 8:31:56 GMT 12
Not one has yet pointed out that using any aircraft to water bomb fires is going to result in a substantially increased fatigue life consumption (comparatively), even with Ag aircraft there likely to be an increase. I haven't seen anything about whether a forward air controller would have helped. Perhaps the first improvement could be a fixed wing unit for the police eagle unit (yes the seasprites have FLIR, but current model operated used police is likely to be more useful). There is a number of documents about using helicopters and fixed wing on fire fighting in NZ here. www.scionresearch.com/general/publications/reports/news-and-reports/fire-technology-transfer-notesThe following from note 8 provides some interesting insight into the effectiveness of some of the aircraft types use.
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 18, 2017 12:07:42 GMT 12
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Post by mumbles on Feb 18, 2017 22:29:05 GMT 12
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sluf7
Squadron Leader
Posts: 106
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Post by sluf7 on Feb 19, 2017 12:49:11 GMT 12
The best thing is to buy the aircraft designed for it the CL415 MRT. As with Spain , Turkey and Portugal and France these are imbedded in the Military and are used for other missions when not fighting fires as the tanks are designed to be removed during this time. They consider it good training also as it gives real world experience for there pilots. Some use a ballot system so Transport, Fighter and chopper pilots can have a go.
Also makes sense for NZ as we are surrounded by water and these can operate from Land & Sea and would also be good for Pacific Island emergencies as be able to land regardless of Land Runways. They are reasonbly priced as well at around $50milish
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