January 2016 Noteworthy Movements - Discussion & Photos

Moderator · #1 30th December 2015, 11:35 AM

Please post questions / comments / pictures relating to January Noteworthy Movements here.

Robert.M · #2 1st January 2016, 08:52 PM

Heligroup Fire LLC (N947CH) Billings Flying Service, Inc CH-47D, operated by United Aero as Helitack 279, at Wagga Wagga Airport

Also of note was Erickson Air-Crane "Olga" (N6962R) Sikorsky S-64E calling though arriving at about 5:00PM and departing at about 5:50PM for BWU.

AJJ and AJG (note this has had the one engine removed) Not the best photo (due to the poor light from the cloud cover and storms)

Grahame Hutchison · #3 1st January 2016, 10:38 PM

Great to catch the Chinook Robert

Robert.M · #4 2nd January 2016, 07:05 PM

Thanks! Almost fell out of my chair when I looked at my VRS (which I took offline during Christmas and only put it back online just before New Year's day). Had two issues, one was light and the other was a near by thunderstorm. Spent 8 hours at the AP today, hoping it would be departing back towards SYD but not the case.

Edit: Turns out it will be based here for the next few weeks

VRS yesterday (thumbnails clickable).

Though did get to see this amateur built Steen Skybolt call in for fuel, heading south to its new owner.

Greg Hyde · #5 3rd January 2016, 12:24 PM

Is that the first civil Chinook to operate in Aus ?

Robert.M · #6 3rd January 2016, 01:33 PM

Sure is! Also nicknamed "Big Linda".

Fitted with two Lycoming T55-GA-714A engines

Greg Hyde · #7 3rd January 2016, 03:37 PM

Nice Shots, Robert.

Sydney is wet, hopefully it will head south.

How does the Chinook compare to the SkyCranes in water lifting capacity ?

Robert.M · #8 3rd January 2016, 04:19 PM

This Chinook has a 2,000 (US) gallon bambi bucket, which works out to be around 7,500 litres. S-64E tank holds around 2,300 (US) gallons, which converts to 9,000 litres [though National Aerial Firefighting Centre has 7,560 litres]. While it holds less water, the CH-47D has a better fuel burn (can stay in the for air longer) and the bambi bucket also has four pumps, so it can use water sources of any depth.

There is another (N948CH) that is owned by Helifire Group that has internal tank(s) with a suction hose but unsure on the capacity.

Grahame Hutchison · #9 3rd January 2016, 04:29 PM

Nice to get up close with the Chinook Robert !

MarkR · #10 3rd January 2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert.M

While it holds less water, the CH-47D has a better fuel burn (can stay in the for air longer) and the bambi bucket also has four pumps, so it can use water sources of any depth.

There is another (N948CH) that is owned by Helifire Group that has internal tank(s) with a suction hose but unsure on the capacity.

As I mentioned when she arrived, she also travels a lot quicker than the sky crane. The Lorne skycrane I also noted was operating with a Bambi which may have been due to the location.