WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

605-608 were the 2 AT at the Bullsbrook fire.

newbie wrote:does anyone know the cost hor each helitac and the s61? how about the skycranes... I saw an article that said the skycrane cost 22 million for the fire season... but that would have to be for all 6 they have on the east coast right?...

http://www.nafc.org.au/ might have further info. Wouldn't be surprised if its 22mil each, to be honest..

The S61 for Busselton isn't ready yet - still getting fitted out. Will be posted there soon.

WPXZBP wrote:The S61 for Busselton isn't ready yet - still getting fitted out. Will be posted there soon.

FESA Air Ops doc simply says "January 2010" for the second S61 (Helitac 682) in Busselton.

*edit* in fact January 1st 2010.

I think that is what I said also

Just wondering how many Helitacs are there in Western Australia (including the two type 1 helis), as on Ten's News today (23rd Dec 2009) they mentioned that there were seven, not including the fixed wings.

Not sure wether they included the Air Intel

TrainFreak wrote:Just wondering how many Helitacs are there in Western Australia (including the two type 1 helis), as on Ten's News today (23rd Dec 2009) they mentioned that there were seven, not including the fixed wings.

Not sure wether they included the Air Intel

there are 8 Helis all up.
7 in Metro, which is 4 1000L Bombers, 1 Type 1 4000L Bomber, 1 Air Intel which has the FLIR Cam on it, and 1 air attack chopper (he is the one the controls all water bombing aircraft, both rotary and fixed wing, and also talks to the ground controler.)
1 in Busselton

682 - Blue and white 4000LType 1. busselton
681 - green and gold 4000L Type 1. Metro
611 - Air Intel - White and red with the FLIR Cam
610 - White and red. Air Attack - VH WOH on tail
668 - Blue Tail - 1000L
669 - Red Tail - 1000L
670 - Yellow Tail - 1000L
671 - Green Tail - 1000L

Thanks BuddahFRS

That’s what is was thinking when watching, just got a bit confused when they said 8 helis thinking they were all just water bombers

VH-WDH is Air Intel 611

Helitak_670 wrote:VH-WDH is Air Intel 611

Isn't Air Intel (611), VH-WDI or has the tail number changed this year

TrainFreak wrote:

Helitak_670 wrote:VH-WDH is Air Intel 611

Isn't Air Intel (611), VH-WDI or has the tail number changed this year

611 is Air intel, it is red and white with the FLIR cam on it, and its VH - WDI

610 is Air Attack, its also red and white with no cams or anything on it and it VH -WDH.

i take it the Air Attack chopper is the one that calls the shots for the helitaks at a major incident where multiple helitaks are involved?

Does anyone know how many Squirrel's (B3, B2 & BA) Helicopters Australian owns, as when doing a bit of researching, I came to the conclusion below?

Aerospatiale AS350B3 Squirrel (Total 4)
• VH-WCX (671 – Helitac)
• VH-WCQ (670 – Helitac)
• VH-WCN (668 – Helitac)
• VH-WCD (669 – Helitac)
Aerospatiale AS350B2 Squirrel (Total 2)
• VH-WDI (611 – Air Intel)
• VH-WDH (610 – Air Attack)
Aerospatiale AS350BA Squirrel (Total 2)
• VH-WCW (Civil)
• VH-WCJ (Civil)

But on the HA's website reads the following
4x AS350B3
1x AS350B2
2x AS350BA

my bad, with WDI/H

WDH is used for Air Attack and liaises with the ground controller once they are above the fire, there aviation callsign is Firebird 610

WDI is Air Intel with the FLIR etc its aviation callsign is Firebird 611

WCW is no longer in Australia and I am pretty sure it went to NZ
WCJ is usually based down south at Bunbury I think this can and has been used for air attack and can also be called 610 when based out of Perth

I Just herd on the news that 2 helitak's are being based in the hills for the next couple of days.
Any idea where they are going to be based?

thanks