Ride Along in CDF Air Attack 340 Paso Robles (self-narrated)

Please go to http://www.hftfire.com

This is one (1) 'Ride-Along' response of many that I was blessed to fly as an 'observer' [as each incident served as an excellent opportunity to supplement my collection of personal, first-hand experience 'Fire Training' videos I've created over the years] ...aboard Air Attack 340 assigned at Paso Robles Air Attack Base in California, USA.

I sat in a very small back seat adjacent to several hundred pounds of radio equipment (this ages me!) in the military version of the Cessna Skymaster known as an "O-2" ...which I was the first to figure out how to configure a very simple NON-Hard Wire method to capture the full audio [Insulated from the sound of the twin engines!] that 'self-narrates' in 'Live-Time' each scene with all Air-to-Air; Air-to-Ground; and Ground-to-Ground radio communications/ operations... and of course, as you'll notice, the REQUIRED interruptions of each 'expletive' spoken on the on-board Intercom system!

...and NO! I didn't get sick as we joked as I held an oversized full VHS video camera at a challenging angle to one eye as I pointed the lens through the small weapon site on the side window as we pulled fairly good "G's" on each steep turn! ...as I maintained the proper camera angle to capture the shot at 6:30 and repeated again at 7:05.

Take a moment to witness the 'wing vortices' that can actually fan a fire immediately after a drop at this low altitude. Just watch as the prevailing on-shore flow (winds) move the left wing vortices downwind (right) and over this flank as indicated by the lift and curl action of the smoke column as seen all the way down the right flank! This phenomenon can act as a double-edge sword and actually increase fire behavior if the drop is in anyway compromised or incomplete.

When they joked about me getting air sick at 7:12 (as most do when they place one eye to the view finder of a camera in a steep turn), Roger Moulin (one the TOP Air-Attack pilots in the West) reached over and pulled back and opened Walt Embry's (Air Attack Officer seated directly in front of me) flight suit collar and stated, "If you have to let go, it goes right here!" Thank you God I have no middle ear issue(s) with a long list of professional aviator's in this bloodline.

We Fire Fighters can be so bad... seems we always give each other so much 'shi_!' ...consistently! ...every time! NO PRISONERS! ...EVER!!!

Just listen to the dialogue of the comments when we 'Buzzed' some millionaire's vacation home (just barely 'above' FAA minimums!) at 7:35 and again at 9:20!

Nope! Proof to mom we really never ever do grow up! The toys only get better with 'experience!' [Age and Treachery]

As 1992 was kind of a 'slow' fire season by comparative standards, we flew Bill and Dan in Tanker 03 (SP2V) overhead perhaps a little longer than conditions would usually warrant. Paso Robles Air Attack Base is consistently one of the busiest air bases on the planet which is one of the main reasons why they assigned and test-flew this first ever "variable flow" retardant delivery system which has since been further improved and become the industry standard in nearly every air-tanker flying today.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed the actual flight! ...and many other flights I took throughout the years that followed before the California Department of Forestry [CDF now known as CAL FIRE] 'up-graded' to the much faster and more maneuverable [two (2) seat] OV-10 'Bronco.'

All video captured/edited/produced by Rich Hoffmann, Fire Captain/Peace Officer (a medically retired 'PIG IN HEAT!!!') and twice Patented Inventor who has also become known as the "Painter of LIFE" dba Rich Hoffmann Photo-Graphics.

Feel free to also visit my other website at: www.rhphotographics.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• cdf
• air
• attack
• 340
• calfire
• tanker
• 03
• paso
• Walt
• Embry
• Rich
• Hoffmann
• Roger
• Moulen
• Kyle
• Wilson
• John
• Keane
• Dennis
• Cheshire

[flyacf]

That is not a 340... it is a 337

[hftfire]

You are correct about it being a cessna skymaster 337... however the department designation is air attack 340... have a great day

[hftfire]

This is one 'Ride-Along' response of several that I was blessed to fly as an 'observer' on Air Attack 340 assigned at Paso Robles Air Attack Base. The aircraft is the military version of the Cessna Skymaster known as an "O-2" ...which I was the first to figure out how to capture the 'self-narrating' recordings of all Air-to-Air; Air-to-Ground; and Ground-to-Ground radio communications... and the explitives of the intercom system...

[firecap]

This is cool, Walt is a funny guy, Roger (RIP) was a great Air Attack pilot and Bill could really fly Tanker 03. The 46 IC that Walt is talking to is me. Weird to hear my voice on this. The house on the ridge is the second house built there, I went to the first one that burnt down by a lightning strike, it was Patty Hearst hide out after she was released from jail.

[firecap]

This is cool, Walt is a funny guy, Roger (RIP) was a great Air Attack pilot and Bill could really fly Tanker 03. The 46 IC that Walt is talking to is me. Weird to hear my voice on this. The house on the ridge is the second house built there, I went to the first one that burnt down by a lightning strike, it was Patty Hearst hide out after she was released from jail.

[YNPSeaWitch]

Heh... That's my Dads house. Yup, flying the American Flag! Thanks guys, you came to the rescue of many people over the years. I was living at Soesterberg Air Base, The Netherlands at the time of the fire. Later in 2002 the Paso Robles earthquake caused alot of damage to it, but it was repaired and is still in the family. Thanks for the photos guys, and RIP Roger, you made my mom laugh when she was going through tough times.

[mimijokay]

This is really something for me to see! Roger was a true friend and I am so sorry to hear of his death. But what is really wierd, the large house on the hill was built by my ex husband, who still owns it. I had never seen it before this video. Thanks!

[mimijokay]

Roger Moulin was probably the finest OV10 pilot there ever was. He was my friend when he was at Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base and piloted AA 310. He was funny and a jokster at all times, except when in the air! I am so sorry to hear of his deth through the above comments. God bless you Roger!

[hungarylnnjsd]

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[MrSocial78]

It so graceful. Man what i would do to to ride along with a tanker pilot....my god... just incredible!

God Bless

[lawpar79]

ladder 49 music

[wolfbitejb]

Great job thanks for the video