belly tanks

[chopperdr]

having not been home for awhile and seeing my beloved province on fire, is there any operators on the west coast using belly tanks in support of fire fighting operations.
thanks
dr

 

[firehawk]

I believe the only ones using belly tanks are the rap machines in B.C.
I havent quit figured out what good they would do. except to beat the hassle of hooking up a bucket.
My be someone can straighten me out
about why they choose to use belly tanks.
The one pilot told me they way 600lbs. I find that a waste of weight. Like anything though they must have a reason.

 

[rookie314]

I don't know why they would use them in B.C. but I know down in Southern California they use them for two reasons. You can fill them from a hydrant (or a shallow water source) and probably most important you can't drop one.lol. As for the weight issue, you will find that any of the USFS machines that use a tank carry a set of ground handling wheels, to get the tank on and off, if they have to haul any crews around. This as you can imagine is a real big hassle.

Hope your having a good summer.

 

[407 Driver]

I've watched NMD, a VIH 212 Rap machine water bucket WITH the belly tank installed, go figure that one out, I'm guessing that my 407 will deliver as much water per hour ??

We have a 214ST on our Kootenay Park Fire now, see the Photo Gallery for pics....

 

[chopperdr]

installed simplex tanks on as-350b3 last year in spain and auz, both companies have since placed multiple orders for more tanks, both operators were bucket operations before, thought that combination might catch on in canada. is anyone currently on the barrier fire, the news here in so-cal concerning anything canadian is limited. found our last night my sister is on this fire, so any info from the front lines would be appreciated.
dr

 

[4961]

Hey 407 is it really a ST. I think that it's probably a B1. ZVT from Blacktusk. There aren't any 214 ST's in the country. Are you on that fire too? Getting 8s I hope. I'm still doing the dead red thing, collecting good mins but no flying

 

[4961]

Sorry Dude, I won't question you again.

I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. A U.S. reg. ST on a fire, very cool. I've never even seen a ST (live), looking forward to the pics.
See ya later.... 2250 kg

 

[407 Driver]

4829, you're getting too much sun, it's REALLY a 214ST (N241WJ), I'll send you a pic to prove it...I've already posted one to the photo section. Remember, I was with Okie when we had 2 - 214ST's.

We do have a 214B from BlackTusk here too.....

 

[407 Driver]

The ST has a 750 Gallon Bucket, the crew (1 canadian, 1 USA) says that it weighs in at approx 9,000 lb, with an AUW of 17,000, and burns about 850 PPH. It's totally stripped out, no rear seats, no IFR instruments, strictly VFR. I have no idea how they would longline, it's a wide body aircraft, and no bubble windows in sight either? I never saw it fly yesterday, but it did go out for a while.

N-number: N241WJ
Aircraft Serial Number: 28128
Aircraft Manufacturer: BELL
Model: 214ST
Engine Manufacturer: GE
Model: CT7 SERIES
Aircraft Year: 1984
Owner Name: U S LEASECO INC
Owner Address: 2711 CENTERVILLE RD STE 400
WILMINGTON, DE, 19808-1645
Registration Date: 09-Apr-2003
Airworthiness Certificate Type : Standard
Approved Operations: Transport

 

[RDM]

Hey 407,

ya makin any money or what???

You guys appear to be mighty busy out there according to our local and national news........good on ya, let the federallias start kick'in in the money.

this is from the rumor network there DM, .. Luc, yes, the same Luc you would probably know (HSTC) apparently has bought {2} 214ST under a US registered company. (was it his you saw)??

anyway, keep'er safe boys and make all the jink ya can. Gotta go, big day tommorrow 185th St. John's Regatta......apparently there is going to be a big party tonight on George Street, like people on the Rock need a reason to party

 

[407 Driver]

That's what's painted on the tail boom, or as near as I can read through the 214 soot......

 

[Winnie]

Hey RDM!
Have you been screeched in yet?
I have noticed that non of the local 'rockers' have done it, while they demand that all of us 'temp newfies' have to!
Well Don't sip too much of the brown or golden liquids, headaches hurt!

 

[firehawk]

Hey 407, where are those pics your talking about.I looked in the gallery, Better send me one of Hollywood. I gotta see what color his hair these days.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Yes Luc's 214st still has an american regestration. I got to take a good look at it in Dryden, they stopped in to try to sell it to the OMNR. They just came back from Alert working with the Canadian military..something to do with the microwave radio system. Anyway the pilots name was Dave and there was an american pilot helping Dave get a feel for the machine. Sorry I can't remember his last name. All I can say is that this machine is wild to look at and makes a 204, 205 look small in comparison. Sorry I have no pictures.

 

[407 Driver]

FireHawk, the pictures of the 214ST have been submitted to caaviation, when Kyle has time, he will post them to the gallery.

Be patient my boy.

Hollywood has been working so hard, his hair turned brown, his MaMa hasn't had time to re-dye it pink, yellow, or any other rainbow of colors. He even found himself a steady squeeze...imagine that 4 weeks of fires, 5 hours/day and a new honey, life doesn't get much better...he hasn't beaked off or whined for a month