RCP1209_032-033_Feature 12/31/09 7:34 AM Page 33
water, foam mix, or fire retardant at Erickson Aircranes have battled fires in
speeds and distribution ranges pro- several countries, including Italy, Greece,
grammed into an onboard computer. Two France, South Korea, Canada, and
innovative snorkel attachments for the He- Malaysia. The versatile helicopter has
litanker take as little as 45 seconds or less worked in many more countries perform-
to fill up from any freshwater or saltwater ing timber harvesting, construction and
Erickson S-64F Helitanker #739 - Water Drop source at least 18 inches deep and have hydro-seeding operations, which jump-
achieved the quickest turn-around times start foliage growth to keep fire-scorched
the world and extremely dedicated to the of any air bushfire asset. hillsides from becoming mudslides.
❚
firefighting mission in Australia.”
The arrival of the two Helitankers
comes precisely as “Catastrophic” fire
conditions have been forecast for the State
of New South Wales. It is the first time
the highest danger rating has ever been
used in that state.
Scott Fitzgerald, Vice President Global
Sales and Marketing, commented on Aus-
tralia’s urgent need for S-64 Helitankers;
“In this rare occurrence, the whole conti-
nent has heated up about a month earlier
than normal and is unseasonably hot for
spring time. Four major fires are burning
in New South Wales already and indica-
tions are that the heat wave will not let up
soon. The Australian National Aerial
Firefighting Center (NAFC) has re-
sponded proactively by bringing these two
Helitankers in country a month ahead of
schedule.”
Entering the second year of a contract
between NAFC and Erickson Air-Crane
for five S-64 Helitankers, the remaining
three Helitankers are scheduled to arrive
in December for firefighting duty to be-
gin on or before December 21. Although
the five helicopters will primarily be as-
signed firefighting duty, they will be
available for other emergency response ef-
forts due to the S-64’s unparalleled ver-
satility.
Erickson Aircranes are highly sought
after by fire departments around the world
because of their unique capabilities.
“Elvis” and the other Helitankers have the
capacity to dump up to 10,000 liters of
Erickson S-64F Helitanker #737
www.ROTORCRAFTPRO.com • Heli-Expo 2010 Preview Issue 33
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