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Karo-Aviation visit  CAL FIRE Sacramento 2015-3
Article and pictures by Rolph Klijn


CAL FIRE is short for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This is the organization responsible for the fire protection and fire fighting of 31 million acres of Californian wild land. For this their over 10.000 employees and volunteers operate over a 1.000 fire fighting vehicles from almost a 1000 locations across California. They also operate 35 aircraft and 15 helicopters in the fire fighting role.

The CAL FIRE Broncos fly with a crew of two, a pilot and the Air Attack Officer, whose job it is to coordinate all aerial assets on a fire with the Incident Commander on the ground.

 

 
 
 

  • At Sacramento McClellan Park al maintenance on the aircraft and helicopters is being done. CAL FIRE does not have purpose built aircraft. They use old military aircraft that have been modified for their new role. That gives them multiple challenges. Not only do they need to modify the aircraft, they also need to maintain them.

    As in some instances the aircraft itself are no longer built it falls on to CAL FIRE to make parts and modifications themselves. For instance the S2 Tracker. New parts are no longer made and their maintenance people have already taken all the useful parts of the airframes still lying around the bone yard at Davis Monthan. When something breaks down or is at the end of its life time they have to make the new parts itself.

    We were shown around the workshops where they are working on the brakes and wings of the S2. An new wing cannot simply be made out of any piece of metal. Not only do they need to take into account the original material but also if that is still the best material for its new role. After all the S2 was never designed as an aerial fire fighter. What helps is that the technicians can at least make use of the original drawings.

    As the aircraft are performing in a role they were not designed for all, the modifications are based on their own specialized role and experience. At the time of our visit all aircraft were being fitted with new Garmin navigational aids en were being rewired. The OV10 force was being fitted with new exhausts for a better performance and better environmental conditions.

    It is very challenging for the technicians. The OV10 maintenance manager, Russel Knight, told us that it is also very rewarding. Working with highly professional and motivated people to overcome all the challenges that are never the same from day to day.

    The man and woman of CAL FIRE have only a short time for maintenance and modification as a new fire fighting season is expected to start early. Last year was the worst season in recorded history. Expectations are that this year will be even worse.

    Present during our visit were the:
    - OV10A “Bronco”. These are used as aerial commanders.
    - S2T. The aerial tankers, the teeth of the force.
    - UH1H. Used for fast attack on fire’s.
    - King Air 200/C-12. Used for training and executive transportation.

    For the specialized role the S2 air tanker is fitted with a 1200 gallon tank for the retardant (they do not use water). The doors are computer operated so the pilot can accurately spray either a lot or very little. Depending on the request of the aerial fire commander.


The UH-1H aircraft were significantly modified to meet CAL FIRE's specialized needs. The modified helicopters were designated as "Super Huey's". The "Super Huey" sported a larger, more powerful engine, transmission and rotor system.

The aerial fire commander takes up his place in the back seat of an OV10. From here he has the best overview and can direct the aerial and ground fighting forces. To become an “on the scene commander” you have to be a very experienced in the fire fighting force and take up years of training. You need to speak the language. When during big fires a lot of teams are deployed he makes full use of his 6 different radio sets .

The work load for all involved is high

 
           

We very much want to thank Russel Knight for the enthusiasm and pride with which he has given us an insight in this professional department.

 
 

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