Their mode of transportation. The helo that is.
packs all ready to go at moments notice!
So out walks Phil (bald dude in red with beard), the pilot of the helo, and we all start chatting. He tells us all about the
Bell 214, this one is specially built for firefighting, and privately owned. Only 3 like it in the world he says, looks like a Huey, but not so fast.
The blades are 3 feet wide, and cost $350,000 apiece. This baby uses 150 gallons of fuel per hour from 5 gas tanks positioned all around aircraft into a Rolls Royce engine. Aloft time is about 2 hours.
These guys are private contractors too, not USFS, and they can travel all over the US to fight fires. Asked about his longest flight, said he flew this copter to Florida nonstop (remember, flight time is only 2 hours), took couple days, lotsa refueling.
This Bell 214 B1 helicopter was built by
Helimax Aviation, which make specialty heavy lift helos for the construction industry. Phil mentioned this helicopter has done everything from lift HVAC units onto buildings to pour concrete for mountain top ski lifts.
While the helo hovers 50 feet over the ground near the fire, the firefighter (this guy) fast rope out of the copter with just boots and gloves, no safety lines, nuttin! They attach the rope like this, throw on the packs, and zippity do da out the aircraft! Guys on the ground in seconds Phil said.