Helicopters
The SAU manages seventeen (17) helicopters as part of the State Fleet comprising: 7 Type 3 (light) helicopters; 8 Type 2 (medium) helicopters; and 2 Type 1 (heavy) helicopters. The 2 Type 1 helicopters and 2 of the Type 2 helicopters are provided with financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government under the National Aerial Firefighting Strategy.

The Type 3 helicopters are general-purpose aircraft used for a wide range of land and fire management activites. Each helicopter is capable of carrying up to five passengers. The main functions of the Type 3 helicopters are:

  • Fire detection and mapping
  • Aerial reconnaissance
  • Aerial command over the fire area
  • Passenger transport
  • Delivery of Hover Exit crews
  • Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) fire detection and mapping operations
  • Backburning and burning for forests regeneration using an aerial incendiary machine
  • Aerial seeding for forest regeneration
  • Aerial photography and aerial surveys
    • The Type 2 helicopters are each equipped with a belly tank for fire bombing that can carry up to 1400 litres of water or firefighting foam. They can be 'self-filled' from almost any water source in approximately 50 seconds by a hydraulic pump hanging underneath the tank. The main functions of the Type 2 helicopters are:

  • Fire bombing
  • Passenger and equipment transport
  • Delivery of rappel crews

    The Erickson S64F Aircrane is a twin engined Type 1(Heavy) helicopter which is used exclusively for high volume fire bombing. It is fitted with a fixed fire bombing tank capable of carrying 9000 litres of water or water injected with foam concentrate. Like the Type 2(Medium) helicopters, the Erickson Aircrane is able to self-fill to capacity using a hydraulic snorkel in less than 45 seconds. The Aircrane is capable of dropping multiple loads in various combinations, allowing adjustment of the bombing pattern to suit the particular situation. When despatched to a fire the aircraft is supported by an Air Attack Supervisor, generally travelling in a Type 3 (Light) helicopter, together with essential ground resources that includes a fully pressurised 30,000 litre refuelling truck, mobile foam support unit and an engineering maintenance team.
    Erickson S64F Aircrane Quick Facts Sheet
    Erickson S64F Aircrane Operational Information

    The Sikorsky S-61N is a twin-engine Type 1(Heavy) utility helicopter that can accommodate a basic crew of two and 18 passengers. The helicopter is a multi use aircraft which offers the ability to deliver high volume fire bombing combined with fire fighting crew transport. The S-61N is equipped with a BBT 6578HD 3,000 Lt Power Fill Torrentula Bambi Bucket delivery system. The delivery system is an external hook attached underslung configured load. The delivery system can hover fill from a variety of water sources and has a multiple drop capacity with variable flow ability. When the S-61N is dispatched to a going fire a refuelling truck containing 11,000 Lt of Jet-A1 will support it.
    Sikorsky S-61N Airliner Quick Facts Sheet