More than this. This helicopter can be used not only against fires vut against floods too to pump.up the water off. That makes it applicable for multiple tasks.
It must have been 20 years ago when I was heading south on Interstate 5 about 4 miles north of Castaic when a Fire Hawk (maybe some of the first) swooped from behind and blasted a grass fire exactly like at 2:28 on this video. I salute that pilot.. Fantastic flying to put that load right where it did the most good. As a non-California native I saw up close one of the really bad fires in San Bernardino and on the hills above Rancho Cucamonga where I lived utilizing every ground team and every type of aircraft and probably including "the kitchen sink" too.
the Black Hawk is the best helicopter ever build they can do everything in any weather conditions, especially in California and SoCal where there is a lot fires and strong winds at the same time is the perfect helicopter to fight any fire
Those Los Angeles County Fire Department Sikorsky S-70A and S-70I Firehawk Helicopters are awesome! Those twin General Electric T700-GE-701D Turboshaft Engines are badass too and they have very good performance at high altitudes and high temperatures. That's exactly why the Sikorsky UH-60A/L/M and HH-60M Blackhawks of the United States Army, the Sikorsky MH-60K/L/M Blackhawks and MH-60K/L/M Blackhawk Direct Action Penetrators and Sikorsky MH-60X Silent Hawks of the United States Army Special Operations Command, Sikorsky HH-60G Pavehawks and Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Greens IIs of the United States Air Force and Air National Guard, Sikorsky VH-60N Whitehawks of the United States Marine Corps, Sikorsky HH-60J and MH-60T Jayhawks of the United States Coast Guard, Sikorsky HH-60H, SH-60B, SH-60F, SH-60R Seahawks, and Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawks ( Seahawks ) of the United States Navy all are based on the Sikorsky S-70 Hawk air frames and use the same engines! Awesome Aircraft all around! All of these are my favorites!! Can't pick one among them all in these helos!
I think that when not used for fire suppression, the 1000 gallon tank should always be topped off with maple syrup. Cause you never know when you might come across 40,000 hotcakes!
You must have hit that fire north of Castaic next to the 5 as I drove down from the Central Valley. I think I have the tire marks still on the roof of my car but you nailed that grass fire perfectly.
in Europe we use seaplanes (Canadair 215, 415, 515). Seems weird for us to use helis. California is a niche market and I wonder why. I assume it is related to multi role capabilities as well as inability to scoop up 1,620 us gallons quickly (wind/regulation/ waves)?
Is LA County really as ignorant as they are making themselves out to be. WHY THE F@&$ WOULD YOU PUT FOOTAGE OF A 60 BEING PILOTED BY ONE PERSON. There is a reason the RFM/-10/Type Certificate states “Minimum Crew: 2(Pilot, Co-Pilot)!
Did you ever think that perhaps other pilots were out on missions and it was either 1 pilot or else no helo response to a needy mission. My neighbor in Germany was an H model medivac pilot and I got to right seat an aircraft going to maintenance and one pilot seemed to fly it just fine. Other pilots stayed at the unit to respond to necessary evacuations.
