27 April 2024

Firefighting aircraft in Western Australia: 2021 – 2022

N131CG/BOMBER 131 Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules (MSN 382-4901) of Coulson Aviation at Busselton Airport, Western Australia – 8 December 2021. Due to large bushfires in Margaret River region of Western Australia, this Large Air Tanker was temporarily deployed to Busselton. N131CG arrived at Busselton on 8 December 2021 as seen here, direct from Richmond, NSW. It returned to Richmond on 12 December 2021. Built in 1981, ex 161495 US Navy, N427NA NASA, N130FF. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.

8 December 2021 © David Eyre and Brenden Scott

A list and photos of the fire fighting aircraft in Western Australia for the summer fire season (Oct 2021 – April 2022).

BIRDDOG

Fixed-wing aircraft used primarily for air attack supervision. Larger twin-engined BIRDDOGs are used to lead the Large Air Tanker and guide it on where to release its load of fire retardant.

VH-HPY / BIRDDOG 275 Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 of Agair Logistics Pty Ltd, with NSW Rural Fire Service titles, flew from Hay (NSW) direct to Busselton on 8 December 2021.

VH-LMC / BIRDDOG 125 Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 owned by Paul Ferry, flew direct from Essendon to Busselton on 22 December 2021.

BIRDDOG 125
VH-LMC Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000
(22 December 2021 – current, based at Busselton		Photo to be added soon.
BIRDDOG 275
VH-HPY Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick
(8 – 12 December 2021, based at Busselton)		VH-HPY / BIRDDOG 275 Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 (MSN 96051) of Agair Logistics Pty Ltd, with NSW Rural Fire Service titles, at Busselton Airport – 8 December 2021. Under contract to the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), to guide the Large Air Tankers on where to release its load of fire retardant. flew from Hay (NSW) direct to Busselton on 8 December 2021 - seen here after arrival. Built in 1982, ex N9971S and ZS-KZY. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.

BOMBER

Coulson Aviation has been contracted in 2021/22 by the Federal Government to provide a Large Air Tanker (LAT) in Western Australia, based at Busselton Margaret River Airport, 220 kilometres south of Perth. The aircraft may be deployed elsewhere in Australia if required.

On 8 December 2021, N131CG/BOMBER 131 Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules (MSN 382-4901) of Coulson Aviation, named ‘Hercules’ and with NSW Rural Fire Service titles, arrived at Busselton from Richmond, NSW. It was based at Busselton temporarily, to assist in fighting a large bushfire at Margaret River. It returned direct to Richmond on 12 December 2021. This particular Hercules has been based in WA twice before, when it was registered N130FF.

On 9 December 2021, C-GVRT/BOMBER 166 British Aerospace Avro RJ85 (MSN E2253) of Conair Aviation arrived at Busselton from Dubbo, NSW via Ayers Rock, NT and Perth, to assist in fighting a large bushfire at Margaret River. After the fire was brought under control, the aircraft departed Busselton on 12 December 2021, returning to Dubbo via Adelaide.

N138CG/BOMBER 210 Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner (MSN 27928/2742) of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, operated by Coulson Aviation, named ‘Marie Bashir’, flew direct from RAAF Richmond to Busselton on 22 December 2021, to be based there as the Large Air Tanker for 120 days. It helped fight fires on Christmas Day 2021 at Bindoon and the following day at Trenton (east of Margaret River) and Wooroloo (east of Perth). It flew direct to Richmond, NSW on 31 December 2021.

N137CG/BOMBER 137 Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner (MSN 27700/2759) of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, operated by Coulson Aviation, named ‘Gaia’, arrived on 23 December 2021 from RAAF Base Richmond, NSW and helped fight fires on Christmas Day 2021 at Bindoon and the following day at Trenton (east of Margaret River) and Wooroloo (east of Perth).

Dunn Aviation Australia provides Air Tractor AT-802/AT-802A and AT-602 fixed-wing water bombing aircraft for the Western Australian Government. Its aircraft are also contracted out to other states to perform firebombing and agricultural duties. Based at Jandakot, Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Manjimup and Northam. BOMBERs are managed by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

BOMBER 131
N131CG Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules ‘Hercules’
Coulson Aviation
8-12 Dec 2021, temporarily based at Busselton.
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick
N131CG/BOMBER 131 Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules (MSN 382-4901) of Coulson Aviation at Busselton Airport, Western Australia – 12 December 2021. Due to large bushfires in Margaret River region of Western Australia, this Large Air Tanker was temporarily deployed to Busselton. N131CG arrived at Busselton on 8 December 2021 direct from Richmond, NSW. It is seen here returning to Richmond on 12 December 2021. Built in 1981, ex 161495 US Navy, N427NA NASA, N130FF. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 137
N137CG Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner ‘Gaia’
Coulson Aviation
23 Dec 2021 – current, based at Busselton.
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick		N137CG/BOMBER 137 Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner (MSN 27700/2759) of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, operated by Coulson Aviation, named 'Gaia', at Busselton Airport - 6 February 2021. The aircraft temporarily redeployed from RAAF Base Richmond to Busselton on the night of 3 February 2021, to assist with fighting bush fires in the Perth hills at Gidgegannup. It went into action the next day. It departed Busselton back to Richmond on 6 February 2021. It can carry can carry 15,150 litres of fire retardant, while carrying 72 passengers/firefighters. Built in 1995, ex N617SW of Southwest Airlines. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 210
N138CG Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner ‘Marie Bashir’
Coulson Aviation
22-31 Dec 2021, temporarily based at Busselton.
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick		N138CG/BOMBER 210 Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner (MSN 27928/2742) of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, operated by Coulson Aviation, named 'Marie Bashir', at Busselton Airport - 6 February 2021. The aircraft temporarily redeployed from RAAF Base Richmond to Busselton on the afternoon of 2 February 2021, to assist with fighting bush fires in the Perth hills at Gidgegannup, and went into action almost immediately, completing its first drop on the fire just on sunset. It departed Busselton back to Richmond on 7 February 2021. N138CG had previously visited Western Australia in December 2019, to assist with fighting fires in the southwest of WA. It can carry can carry 15,150 litres of fire retardant, while carrying 72 passengers/firefighters. Built in 1995, ex N608SW of Southwest Airlines. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 166
C-GVRT British Aerospace Avro RJ85
9 – 12 December 2021, temporarily based at Busselton.
Photo © Joel Baverstock
C-GVRT/BOMBER 166 British Aerospace Avro RJ85 (MSN E2253) of Conair Aviation at Perth Airport, Western Australia - 9 December 2021. Arriving from Dubbo, NSW via Ayers Rock, NT to refuel before temporarily deploying to Busselton, assist in fighting a large bushfire at Margaret River. It departed Busselton on 12 December 2021 via Adelaide to Dubbo, NSW. Built in 1994 as G-BVWD, delivered to Lufthansa Cityline as D-AVRB, where it served until April 2012. In 2016, it was converted for firefighting by Conair with a tank capacity of 11,355 litres and registered C-GVFT. Photo © Joel Baverstock.
BOMBER 601
VH-DUQ Air Tractor AT-802 ‘Ballidu’
Based at Bunbury
Photo © Jonathan Williams 		VH-DUQ / BOMBER 601 Air Tractor AT-802 (MSN 802-0241) of Dunn Aviation, named 'Ballidu', at Albany Airport - Thu 3 March 2016. Under contract to the WA Government for firefighting. Formerly registered in Spain as EC-JVN, it still wears a Spanish flag on the rudder. Photo © Jonathan Williams
BOMBER 602
VH-FGO Air Tractor AT-802A ‘Milana’
Based at Northam
Photo © Brenden Scott 		VH-FGO / BOMBER 602 Air Tractor AT-802A (MSN 802A-0900) of Dunn Aviation, named 'Milana', at Northam Airport, Western Australia - 30 November 2021. Operated under contract to the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks and Wildlife Service, on firefighting operations during the Summer months. Built in 2017, ex N2358G. Photo © Brenden Scott.
BOMBER 603
VH-PEK Air Tractor AT-802A
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-PEK / BOMBER 603 Air Tractor AT-802A (MSN 802A-0900) of Dunn Aviation, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia - 8 December 2021. Operated under contract to the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks and Wildlife Service, on firefighting operations during the Summer months. Built in 2021, ex N2358J. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 604
VH-DUN Air Tractor AT-802A ‘Ian Leslie’
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Keith Anderson		VH-DUN at Woodmans Point – 23 Dec 2014
BOMBER 605
VH-FED Air Tractor AT-802 ‘Big Block’
Based at Bunbury
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-FED / BOMBER 605 Air Tractor AT-802 (MSN 802-0454) of Dunn Aviation, named 'Big Block', at Margaret River Airport, Western Australia – 8 December 2021. Operated for the Western Australian Government on fire fighting duties during the summer months. Delivered on 24 April 2016. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 606
VH-FCO Air Tractor AT-802A
Based at ??
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-FCO / BOMBER 606 Air Tractor AT-802A (MSN 802A-0775) of Dunn Aviation, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia - 10 December 2021. Operated under contract to the Western Australian Government on firefighting operations during the Summer months. Seen here having its fire retardant tank refilled, whilst fighting fires in the Margaret River area. Built in 2018, ex N1001H. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 607
VH-DUJ Air Tractor AT-802
Based at ??
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-DUJ / BOMBER 607 Air Tractor AT802 (MSN 802-0237) owned by Dunn Aviation, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia – 8 December 2021. Operated for the WA Government on fire fighting duties during the summer months. Built in 2006, ex N8517Q, EC-JVC. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 608
VH-DUA Air Tractor AT-802 ‘Magic’
Based at Bunbury?
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-DUA / BOMBER 608 Air Tractor AT802 (MSN 802-0366) owned by Dunn Aviation, named 'Black Magic', at Margaret River Airport – 8 December 2021. Operated for the Western Australian Government on fire fighting duties during the summer months. Built in 2010, ex N8521E, EC-LHZ. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
BOMBER 609
VH-DUW Air Tractor AT-802A ‘Max’
Based at Jandakot
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-DUW / BOMBER 609 Air Tractor AT-802A (MSN 802A-0328) of Dunn Aviation (Mal Dunn Pty Ltd), at Jandakot Airport – Fri 30 May 2014. Photo © David Eyre
BOMBER 610
VH-JID Air Tractor AT-802 ‘Chop’
Based at Albany
Photo © Jonathan Williams 		VH-JID / BOMBER 610 Air Tractor AT-802 (MSN 802-0341) owned by Dunn Aviation, named ‘Chop’, at Dweillingup Airstrip – Thu 14 January 2016. Operated for the WA Government on fire fighting duties, this aircraft was involved in fighting major fires in the area of Waroona, which had been started by lightning and destroyed nearly 200 homes. Photo © Jonathan Williams
BOMBER 611
VH-RIM Air Tractor AT-802A
Based at ??		Photo to be added soon
BOMBER 612
VH-NID Air Tractor AT-802AF ‘The Boss’
Based at Northam
Photo © Brenden Scott 		VH-NID / BOMBER 612 Air Tractor AT-802A (MSN 802A-0900) of Dunn Aviation, named 'Milana', at Northam Airport, Western Australia - 30 November 2021. Operated under contract to the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks and Wildlife Service, on firefighting operations during the Summer months. Built in 2013, ex N10061. Photo © Brenden Scott.
BOMBER 614
VH-FEC Air Tractor AT-504 ‘Blacky’
(2-seats side-by-side, normally used for training)
Photo © Keith Anderson
(Based at Jandakot)		VH-FEC / BOMBER 614 Air Tractor AT-504 (MSN 504), named 'Blacky', owned by Dunn Aviation, at Jandakot Airport - Tues 3 Feb 2015.
BOMBER 619
VH-XWH Air Tractor AT-802
(photo shows it as BOMBER 603 – it is now 619)
Photo © David Eyre		VH-XWH Air Tractor AT-802 (MSN 802-0137) operated by SEAA Pty Ltd, Esperance, WA, at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia - 31 December 2020. Operated under contract to the WA Government on fire fighting duties during summer months. Built in 2002, ex VH-XAU, EC-IGV, N8508Q. Photo © David Eyre.

FIREBIRD

The Air Attack FIREBIRDS coordinate aerial firefighting operations, and can usually be seen circling high above firefighting aircraft. FIREBIRD 623/VH-YUQ is managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Other FIREBIRDS are managed by Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

FIREBIRD 623
VH-YUQ Eurocopter AS355F-1 Twin Squirrel
Based at Jandakot
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-YUQ / FIREBIRD 623 Eurocopter AS355F-1 Twin Squirrel (MSN 5057) owned by McDermott Aviation, contracted to WA Government, at Warradale Park, Landsdale - Wed 23 November 2016. Assisting firefighters in fighting a suspiciously-lit bushfire in Lexia, at the Gnangara pine plantation, that burnt through 100 hectares. The FIREBIRD aerial command and control helicopters coordinate firefighting operations. Built in 1981, ex N281AP, N117LB. Photo © David Eyre
FIREBIRD 624
VH-JRI Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick		VH-JRI / FIREBIRD 624 Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III (MSN 4234) of Helicopter Logistics Pty Ltd at Busselton Airport, Western Australia – 8 December 2021. Built in 1992, ex RP-C8778, N26GH, 9M-FAH, C-GFNL. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
FIREBIRD 625
VH-ZJP Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Keith Anderson		VH-ZJP Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel (MSN 3297) at Jandakot Airport – 6 Jan 2017.
FIREBIRD ???
VH-EGU Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Soloy SD2
Based at Jandakot
Photo © David Eyre		VH-EGU / FIREBIRD 620 Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Soloy SD2 (MSN 3201) of Helicopter Logistics, at Jandakot Airport – Sat 3 January 2015. Operated for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. This Squirrel features panoramic windows and cabin doors, and was converted when in the USA with a Soloy SD2 kit, which included replacing the original Turbomeca Arriel engine with a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 engine. Built in 1999, ex N5225A, N616LV, XA-SCL, N616LV. Photo © David Eyre
FIREBIRD 661
N82MD Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin 2
Based at Jandakot
Photo © David Eyre		N82MD / FIREBIRD 661 Eurocopter AS 365N3 Dauphin 2 (MSN 6550) of McDermott Aviation Australia, at Jandakot Airport - 31 December 2020. Under contract to the Western Australian Government, under the management of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) for the 2020/21 fire season. This helicopter acts as a tactical Aerial Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance Remote Sensing (AISR) and is equipped with Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) turret and Fire/Flood Mapping Datalink / Video equipment. Also has loudspeakers fitted to the left side. Built in 1998, previously operated by Maryland State Police from June 1999 to December 2015. Photo © David Eyre.
FIREBIRD 662
N97MD Aerospatiale SA365N-1 Dauphin 2
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		N97MD / FIREBIRD 662 Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2 (MSN 6330) of McDermott Aviation, at Jandakot Airport – 26 October 2020. Operates under contract to the Western Australian Government during the fire season (November - April), to coordinate aerial firefighting operations. It can usually be seen circling high above firefighting aircraft. Built in 1989 as an AS365 N1 and later converted to an AS365 N3. Previously operated by the Maryland State Police. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
FIREBIRD 663
N365JL Aerospatiale AS365N2 Dauphin 2
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jayden Hills		N365JL / FIREBIRD 663 Aerospatiale AS365N2 Dauphin 2 (MSN 6438) of McDermott Aviation, at Jandakot Airport – 17 January 2021. Operated during the hotter months for the Western Australian Government, under the management of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) during the 2020/2021 fire season, for all-hazards rapid response to fires. Built in 1992, ex JA6700. Photo © Jayden Hills.

FIRESCAN

Beech 200 King Air aircraft fitted with infra red line scanning equipment are used to scan fire areas and provide live intelligence, including fire mapping, to ground incident control crews. Scanning is conducted high above the fire area, by flying fixed patterns well above air attack traffic. The line scanner is able to see through smoke and show terrain, streams and roads, to pinpoint fire edges, burnt areas and spot fires. King Air VH-LAB of Air Affairs Australia Pty Ltd performed this role during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 fire season.

FIRESCAN 125
VH-LAB Beech 200 Super King Air
Based at Jandakot
Photo © David Eyre		VH-LAB/FIRESCAN 125 Beech B200T Super King Air (MSN BT-23, ex N312D) owned by Air Affairs Aviation, at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia - 31 December 2020. This aircraft was temporarily based at Jandakot for the 2020/21 bush fire season (it was also here for the 2019/20 fire season), under contract to the Western Australian Government, under the management of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. It is fitted with infra red line scanning equipment, used to scan bush fire areas and provide live intelligence, including fire mapping, to ground incident control crews. Scanning is conducted high above the fire area, by flying fixed patterns well above air attack traffic. The line scanner is able to see through smoke and show terrain, streams and roads, to pinpoint fire edges, burnt areas and spot fires. It is normally based at Nowra, NSW and arrived at Jandakot on 29 October 2020, departing back to Nowra on 5 May 2021. Photo © David Eyre.

HELITACK

Medium capacity Bell 214, Bell 412 and Sikorsky UH-60/EH-60 Blackhawk fire fighting helicopters are operated for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Six Bell 214 helicopters with 2,700 litres capacity are contracted from McDermott Aviation, based at Jandakot (four) and Busselton (two).

Sikorsky UH-60 and EH-60 Blackhawk firefighting helicopters are a new addition to the Western Australian firefighting fleet for 2021/2022, each having the ability to carry 4,500 litres of water. The two Blackhawks replace the previous single Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane with 12,000 litres capacity, which was leased from Erickson Aircrane and based at Serpentine Airfield, south of Perth.

ZK-HKU Sikorsky EH-60A Blackhawk of Kahu NZ arrived by road from Sydney and was reassembled at Jandakot Airport, before being flown to Serpentine Airfield on 20 December 2021.

N260UH Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk (MSN 70664) of Pickering Aviation Inc, (Denton, Texas) was shipped to Sydney in January 2022, then flown across from Camden via multiple stops, arriving at Serpentine on 12 January 2022.

Two Bell 412 helicopters of Sydney Helicopters are another new addition to the fleet, being based at Gingin, north of Perth, Western Australia. VH-NSC flew from Penrith, NSW via multiple stops to RAAF Gingin on 16-18 December 2021.

HELITACK 270
VH-NSC Bell 412
Based at RAAF Gingin		Photo to be added soon
HELITACK 276
VH-NVS Bell 412
Based at RAAF Gingin 		Photo to be added soon.
HELITACK 671
N1073W Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick		N1073W/HELITACK 678 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter (MSN 28012) of McDermott Aviation, with 'Heli-Lift Nouvelle Caledonie' titles, at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia - 30 November 2021. Operated for the Western Australian Government/Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the 2020/2021 fire season. Built in 1976, ex 105 (Royal Air Force of Oman), 755 (Royal Air Force of Oman). Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
HELITACK 672
N234PH Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Caleb Hotz
HELITACK 673
N214LJ Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jayden Hills		N214LJ/HELITACK 673 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter (MSN 28040) of McDermott Aviation, at Lumen Christi College, Martin, Western Australia - 5 December 2021. Operated for the Western Australian Government/Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the 2021/2022 fire season. Built in 1979, ex N5009F, JA9227, N2673Q, (N82WA), LN-OQR, N82NW, C-GFIT. Photo © Jayden Hills.
HELITACK 674
N49732 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Jandakot
Photo © Jayden Hills 		N49732 / HELITACK 672 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter (MSN 28005) of McDermott Aviation, fighting a fire at Aubin Grove, Perth, Western Australia - 12 January 2021. Operating under contract to the Western Australian Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for the 2020/2021 fire season. Built in 1976. Ex N49732, 101 (Royal Air Force of Oman), 751 (Royal Air Force of Oman). Photo © Jayden Hills.
HELITACK 676
N216PJ Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Busselton
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		N216PJ / HELITACK 676 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter (MSN 28069) of McDermott Aviation, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia - 8 December 2021. Under contract to the Western Australian Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) for use as a fire fighting helicopter during the 2020/21 fire season, based at Busselton. Built in 1981, ex N18096, YV-O-KWH-4, N214HM. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
HELITACK 677
N217PJ Bell 214B-1 BigLifter
Based at Busselton
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		N217PJ / HELITACK 677 Bell 214B-1 BigLifter (MSN 28032) of McDermott Aviation, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia - 8 December 2021. Under contract to the Western Australian Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) for use as a fire fighting helicopter during the 2021/22 fire season, based at Busselton. Built in 1979, ex C-GBHC, N4434D, C-GBHC, N4434D, (C-GBHC), JA9446, C-GTWZ. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
HELITACK 678
N260UH Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk
Based at Serpentine Airfield
Photo © Jayden Hills		N260UH/HELITACK 678 Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk (MSN 70664) of Pickering Aviation Inc, (Denton, Texas), at Serpentine Airfield, Western Australia - 12 January 2022. Modified for firefighting, this aircraft was shipped to Sydney and flown from Camden, NSW, arriving at Serpentine on 12 January 2022. It is based at Serpentine until April 2022, operating under contract to the Western Australian Government, under control of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). It carries 4,500 Litres of water in a tank which retracts for landing, and uses a snorkel to hover fill the tank. Ex United States Army serial 83-23840, previously used in Iraq in 2010/11, later as a medevac helicopter with 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, Colorado Army National Guard, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, USA, then with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. It then went to Huntsville, Alabama on 25 January 2021 and was advertised for sale by GSA Auctions at Huntsville, AL 10 February 2021. Registered on civil register as N260UH with Pickering Aviation Inc of Denton, Texas on October 29, 2021. Photo © Jayden Hills.
HELITACK 679
ZK-HKU Sikorsky EH-60A Blackhawk
Based at Serpentine Airfield
Photo © Jayden Hills 		ZK-HKU/HELITACK 679 Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk (MSN 701132) of Kahu , at Serpentine Airfield, Western Australia - 20 December 2021. Modified for firefighting, this aircraft was shipped to Sydney, NSW, then transported by road to Jandakot Airport, Western Australia and then flown to Serpentine, arriving on 20 December 2021. It is based at Serpentine until April 2022, operating under contract to the Western Australian Government, under control of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). It carries 4,500 Litres of water in a tank which retracts for landing, with a snorkel used to hover fill the tank. Built in 1986, ex United States Army serial 86-24572. Delivered from Sikorsky in July 1987, and converted by Tracor Flight Systems Inc at Mojave, California to an EH-60A Quick Fix II. This included AN/ALQ-151 multi-role tactical Electronic Warfare system, four dipole antennae mounted in pairs on either side of the tailboom, a deployable whip antenna beneath the aft section of the main cabin, AN/ALQ-144 infrared countermeasures set and flare/chaff dispensers. The EH-60A was used to intercept, locate and jam enemy communications and pass intelligence. Damaged 19 April 1991 when it was blown over in a clamshell hangar during a wind storm at Fort Hood, Texas (TT 543.8hrs). Transferred to Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas for repairs, 6 May 1991 - 23 Jun 1992. Later went to US Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama, 17 Aug 2000 (TT 742.3hrs). US Army Aviation Warfare Center, Fort Rucker. Wore code number ’72K’ at US Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker. Transferred to Science and Engineering Services LLC, Huntsville, Alabama on 23 May 2018 (TT 7,934hrs). Available for purchase by federal agencies, June 2018. For sale by GSA Auctions at Huntsville 12 June 2018. On 29 August 2018 it was registered as N160PA with Pickering Aviation Inc, Corinth, Texas. On 11 June 2019, N160PA arrived at Auckland Port in New Zealand (on board container ship Cap Capricorn, arriving from Long Beach, California). On 12 June 2019 N160PA was flown to Ardmore Airport, NZ. Registration N160PA was cancelled on 8 January 2020 and it was registered in New Zealand as ZK-HKU to Kahu NZ on 13 January 2020. Photo © Jayden Hills.

SPOTTER

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) uses American Champion 8GCBC Scouts as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA, flying across areas set according to fire weather conditions. They fly more during the hotter months (about 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information on fire behaviour to fire controllers. Aircraft rotate around bases at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup. SPOTTERS are managed by DBCA, which holds an Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

SPOTTER 640
VH-LKQ
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-LKQ / SPOTTER 640 (MSN 538-2011) American Champion 8GCBC Scout of the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), at Jandakot Airport – Fri 14 November 2014. After takeoff from runway 24R. Built in 2011. DPaW's fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft are used as fire spotter and forest patrol aircraft in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions, with more hours flown during the bushfire season. Photo © David Eyre
SPOTTER 641
VH-PWY
American Champion 8GCBC Scout		VH-PWY/SPOTTER 641 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 601-2020) of the Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia - 16 November 2021. Used in the southwest of Western Australia on forest patrols to spot fires and to supervise water bombing operations. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
SPOTTER 642
VH-KTG
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick 		VH-KTG / SPOTTER642 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 546-2011) of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, at Busselton Airport, Western Australia – 8 December 2021. The Department of Parks and Wildlife uses a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They are based at Jandakot, Bunbury, Dwellingup and Manjimup, and fly across areas set each day according to the forecast fire weather conditions. The aircraft fly more hours during the hotter months (around 3,500 hours) due to the increased fire risk. They also supervise waterbombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews. VH-KTG was built in 2011. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
SPOTTER 643
VH-BPW
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © Jarrod Swanwick		VH-BPW / SPOTTER 643 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 589-2017) of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, at Bunbury Airport - 25 January 2020. Used in the southwest of Western Australia on forest patrols to spot fires and to supervise water bombing operations. Photo © Jarrod Swanwick.
SPOTTER 644
VH-PWL
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-PWL / SPOTTER 644 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 571-2015) operated by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, at Jandakot Airport - Fri 28 October 2016. Wearing new-style titles. Used as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. They also supervise water bombing operations in the south-west, relaying information to fire controllers regarding the fire’s behaviour to assist in firefighting and ensuring the safety of fire crews. Built in 2015, registered 29 Feb 2016. Photo © David Eyre
SPOTTER 645
VH-KYH
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-KYH / SPOTTER 645 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 566-2014) of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, at Jandakot Airport - Thu 26 January 2017. Built in 2014. Part of a fleet of American Champion 8GCBC Scout aircraft used as fire spotter aircraft for forest patrols in the south-west of WA. Photo © David Eyre
SPOTTER 646
VH-VPW
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © Daniel Kotronis 		VH-VPW / SPOTTER 646 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 595-2018) of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), at Jandakot Airport - 7 December 2019. Photo © David Eyre.
SPOTTER 647
VH-EWP
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
(Aircraft possibly damaged?)
SPOTTER 648
VH-KUE
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-KUE / SPOTTER 648 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 554-2013) owned by Department of Parks and Wildlife, with Western Power sponsorship logo, at Jandakot Airport – Sat 22 February 2014. Photo © David Eyre
SPOTTER 649
VH-BMJ
Cessna 182T Skylane		Photo to be added soon
SPOTTER 650
VH-PWC
American Champion 8GCBC Scout
Photo © David Eyre 		VH-PWC / SPOTTER 650 American Champion 8GCBC Scout (MSN 580-2016) of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service, at Jandakot Airport - 5 June 2020. Used in the southwest of Western Australia on forest patrols to spot fires and to supervise water bombing operations. Photo © David Eyre.

AIR ATTACK

Air Attack call signs are fire agency designations for air attack supervisor platforms, and the call signs remain unchanged regardless of whether the actual airframe is changed. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) frequently rotate their Scout fleet around the various bases, so their AIR ATTACK callsigns change, but their SPOTTER callsigns remain unchanged. AIR ATTACK platforms are managed by DBCA.

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