Fire Bomber Aircraft Australia 2020

Whilst not Warbirds in the true sense, the efforts of the Fire Bomber aircraft in Australia in the past have been epic Air Wars nonetheless. One of the larger Australian based operations is  Pay’s Air Service, based in Scone NSW with a fleet currently comprising 3 Fire Boss amphibians, 6 standard AT-802s , 1 Bell Jetranger , 1 Bell Longranger, 2 AS-350 Squirrels and 3 Cessna C-208 Caravans.

The Fire Boss is an AT-802 modified with the addition of Wipline 10000 amphibious floats and associated water scooping equipment allowing the Fire Boss to be a self-filling firefighting platform. This addition provides greater flexibility and better utilization of the fleet as it does not require the aircraft to return to a land base to refill its tanks. The AT 802s are also undergoing a high workload this season, which as we all know started much earlier than anticipated and with much higher intensity than in recent years. The Fire Boss has on occasion delivered up to 500,000 liters of water in a single day. Unheard of with conventional land based aircraft.

The makeup of the fleet at Pay’s Air Service changes with each season as demands of the season differ as does the intensity. In the past Pays have operated such types as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, various Cessna light aircraft and even the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk as well as other fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Another factor in the turnover of aircraft in the fleet is the age and efficiency of the aircraft. An example of this is the gradual reduction in the number of Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters in use in firefighting – this type is getting older now and carries a lighter load less efficiently than later model helicopters and in the fixed wing sector the AT-802 and Related Fire Boss are now the leading aircraft replacing smaller ex agricultural aircraft in Australian fleets.

The 3 X 14 seat Caravans provide an excellent load carrying aircraft and is capable of operation from short and unprepared airstrips. Pay’s Caravans are contracted to provide fire crew transport, fire reconnaissance and surveillance, and air attack coordination of firebombing aircraft. Pays operates its aircraft under contract to the NSW Government and agencies in VIC and TAS. With the majority of work usually occurring in NSW although again this varies from season to season.

Operating a large approved maintenance facility from their base in Scone NSW it’s one that supports the hectic fire season while providing high level of operational reliability across all aspects of the business. Pay’s licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, along with operational staff, have provided numerous innovative engineering solutions to enhance operational capabilities. The intensity of this year’s season has been unexpected but the support from the Scone base is impressive and has kept operations ticking away safely and reliably. There are also necessary trips by engineers and support staff into the operational regions to support the aircraft and crews. The support network for the Fire Bomber Operations is extensive and very hard work during the season.

Sadly this year it has been brought home how dangerous the ground based firefighting work has been in Australia and also in the air with the loss of a number of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. This is tough and exacting work and comes with a full range of diverse dangers inherent in the task. The recent loss of the C-130 heavy Fire Bomber in NSW, with 3 crew brings starkly into focus the dangers we expect these fire bomber crews to face. It is remarkable how successful and safe that the fire Bomber fleet has proven given the conditions they operate under. The standard of training and reliability of the aircraft is second to none and speaks volumes for these brave crews.

Next time you see the fire bombers on the TV news or in the air, saving people and property, give a thought to the hard work of the bravery of the crews carrying out this vital task.

© John Parker 2020