Kestrel Aviation

Jet Ranger - Firebird 305

Firebird 305 has multiple roles, including air attack, hover exits, mapping of fires, FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) operations, incendiary dropping, transport and lifting of external loads. In the FLIR role a camera is fitted to the underside of the helicopter with a screen monitor fitted inside the aircraft. The operator can move the camera to scan under the ground for hot spots, which can be almost impossible to detect by the naked eye. Ground personnel can then be guided to these areas to cool them down.

Long Ranger - Firebird 337

Long Ranger- WLI

Firebird 337 is also a versatile water-bombing helicopter with a number of roles including air attack, water bombing, troop and equipment transfers and FLIR operations. Air attack involves carrying a Rural Fire Service or National Parks and Wildlife Service person around the fires to supervise water bombing. When water-bombing the pilots are able to liase with ground troops to find out what targets have priority. Water bombing operations are conducted using a Bambi Bucket, which can carry 550 litres of water and foam, attached to a line of up to 150 foot long.

BK 117- Helitack 334

The BK in a ravine during the Sydney fires

BK 117 fire bombing near Colac

The main function of the BK 117 is water bombing. It is fitted with a specially designed Simplex belly tank that carries 1200 litres of water and 160 litres of foam retardant. The chemical is injected into the water en-route to the fire, and when the load is dropped it leaves a foam residue on the ground, blanketing the fire and therefore smothering its progress. The hingless rotor system on the helicopter allows the pilot to accurately place the water and load from water courses with tight access, the snorkel is able to retrieve the water from as little as 18" water depth and pump the tank full in 50 seconds. The BK 117 is also valuable in the role of personnel and equipment transfer; and with its' large clamshell doors is able to carry bulky items remote from the cabin.

Helitack 334 has had an extensive fit out; along with the Simplex belly tank, which is the first of its type to be fitted to a BK 117 the helicopter has also had wire strike protection gear fitted. When in a fire support role, in times of poor visibility the helicopter has five high-intensity synchronised lights to enhance its protection from other aircraft.

Internally the radio suite has been increased by five more radio's so that the pilot is able to communicate with everyone involved with the fires from the command centres, down to the man on foot at the fire. A global positioning tracking system is also fitted to the helicopter, which sends an update of the helicopters position every 90 seconds to the command centres. This allows tracking of the helicopters activities by the fire fighting co-ordinates without distracting the pilots whilst they are working in the frantic environment of fire fighting.