New 'heli-tankers' set to improve WA's aerial firefighting capabilities

1/12/02
Premier Geoff Gallop today confirmed that Western Australia would acquire two state-of-the-art helicopters to assist firefighters in battling wildfires across the Perth metropolitan area this summer.
Dr Gallop said Belmont-based company 'Helicopters Australia' had won the tender for the Eurocopter AS350 B3 'heli-tankers' which can drop 1,100 litres of water from a belly tank using a hover refill capability (or snorkel).
The helicopters, which will cost $900,000 to lease and operate, are part of a $1.3million plan to bolster the State's aerial firefighting operations this summer.
"The high performance heli-tankers will greatly enhance WA's existing aerial firefighting capabilities," the Premier said.
"This technology will complement our existing aerial resources and can operate in tandem with fixed-wing water bombers, if necessary.
"The heli-tankers will assist firefighters to extinguish wildfires in areas of urban bushland located in both inner and outer metropolitan areas."
Early last month, the State Government announced that it would spend about $400,000 to lease two Dromader M18-A fixed aircraft that would be stationed in Manjimup as well as $900,000 for the helicopters.

Today, the Premier said the multi-purpose helicopters were highly manoeuvrable and could reach bush land that was inaccessible to fire fighting teams or could not be reached by water bombers due to flying restrictions.
"Working together, the two heli-tankers can drop up to 30,000 litres of water on a wildfire area each hour," he said.
"The heli-tankers can be refilled in less than one minute from portable supplies, static supplies or from airfield bases and can drop water accurately and with fast turn-around times.
"The helicopters can also inject foam into the tank during flight to increase the effectiveness of drops, if required."
The heli-tankers will be based at Perth Airport and are expected to be operational by mid to late December.
It is the first time that helicopters will be used in Perth for this purpose.
Premier's office: 9222 9475