Fire Fighting in California with Erickson AirCrane

[WhallonJesse]

I want to do this. How many flight hours do you guys have to be qualified for aerial firefighting (rotary or fixed-wing)?

[ericksondennis]

I shot and edited this video as our Helitanker was part of a daisy-chain of aircraft dumping on the Devore Heights subdivision in 2003. We were filling in a smelly duck pond next to the site of '83 "US Festival" (for us old folks) Sadly, one of the last times I was allowed to mount cameras outside the aircraft. I absolutely had to use the Toto music from Dune. Thnx for the great feedback.

[michaelmiller85]

I understand about the limitations on aircraft used, what type of camera did you use on the external mounted views?

[ericksondennis]

I used a 1-chip CCD color surveillance camera and ran video cable along the hydraulic lines to a Digital-8 recording unit in the aft seat station. I had two of these going on this fire while I sat with Randy Erwin (left seat) and Paul Mavrinac (right seat).

[Subaruman5]

Water tank hols up to 2,650 Gallons, but it varies on fires on the amount of fuel they have. If they are topped off full, they will usually start out 1/2 to 3/4, and by the time they are low on fuel, they will be filling the water tank at it's capacity.

[BCFD1217]

i take it the less fuel weght the more water weight the aircraft can lift and vise versa ..... Correct?

[michaelmiller85]

I'm not sure. I got this from a buddy of mine that works on the Aircrane, but don't really know much about the aircraft.

[jasonbadler]

How many gallons does that hold?  good video 5-stars.

[Air420]

Nice shots.

[AgentJayZ]

Great footage, and Toto's music from "Dune" was a perfect choice.

Very good video!