Their mode of transportation. The helo that is.
packs all ready to go at moments notice!
So out walks Phil Ketel (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. (two per copter
) 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.
Turns out Phil is also a member of the Pashnit Forum. Hi Phil!
I get to meet these 20,000 members where ever we go.
Asked Phil how he got to be the top dog up here, he said he started out as a mechanic on Helos at 17, and been climbing up the chain ever since. 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.
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.
