Aussie Feeders

[Ressy]

There are multiple helos in action, as350 and several 412's
qfrs tweeted the nsw fire 737 was arriving today, they've not put it in use, no doubt it will be by first light tuesday

[Oblivian]

Last link shows it's flight up.

N137CG

Unfortunately MLAT only. And patchy at best in that area so was tricky to locate

[Stealth]

This aircraft seems a bit of an odd idea. Why have an aircraft with pax capability when apparently it could otherwise carry more retardant? Pax aircraft can be chartered to carry firefighters around if necessary. A B737 will need 6000'+ runways, so that limits it's airfield options.

[ylis]

Sorry Qld'ers - we used it 3 days ago at the Salt Ash fire ( adjacent to YWLM near Newcastle ). Plenty of media about the first 737 ever used as a water bomber - see cs=12

https://www.portstephensexaminer.com...tephens/?cs=12

I believe there's three other fixed wing charter bombers here this summer - still trying to id all of them.

[Oblivian]

Seems they have some though. May be based around fluid dynamics being the limiting factor

“With a full retardant load and 4.5 hours of fuel we are so far under max gross weight we are going to leave the full interior and galleys in even when just in airtanker mode.”

Be nice if we could use one now and then. The port hills fire we had went on way longer than it needed to. A 3hr trip and it could have been out in 2 days

[Oblivian]

Sorry Qld'ers - we used it 3 days ago at the Salt Ash fire ( adjacent to YWLM near Newcastle ). Plenty of media about the first 737 ever used as a water bomber - see cs=12

I believe there's three other fixed wing charter bombers here this summer - still trying to id all of them.

Can help out there

RJ85, T-165 (Aeroflite/Conair via FieldAir) based in Sydney (Richmond) – already in place;
B-737, T-137 (Coulson) based in Sydney (Richmond) – subject to regulatory approvals;
RJ85, T-166 (Aeroflite/Conair via FieldAir) based in Sydney (Richmond)/Dubbo;
C-130Q, T-134 (Coulson) based in Sydney (Richmond) – already in place. (This is an “extra” for the 2018-19 season only, considering the predicted above-normal potential of the fire season on the east coast of Australia);
RJ85, T-163 (Aeroflite/Conair via FieldAir) based in Melbourne (Avalon);
C-130Q, T-131 (Coulson) based in Melbourne (Avalon)

Translated
165 = C-GVFK
166 =
134 = N130CG
163 = N366AC
131 = N130FF


https://fireaviation.com/2018/10/02/...ting-aircraft/

[Oblivian]

Appears they also have their own FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/Coulson-Avi...4691434840624/

https://www.facebook.com/RJ85Australia/

And 'the opposition' appear to track it a lot better when airborne. BMBR137

[ylis]

Thanks - B166 / T166 is C-GVFT and the Aircrane is N176AC

[Oblivian]

The NSW fire aircraft seemed to make a b-line home last night. This ones still in the area, not sure if related to it or not
https://www.flightradar24.com/BDOG444/1eaf2205

3 1hr turnarounds on the 73 BMBR137

[Oblivian]

There we go. They've finally caught up with the blog updates
https://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com...-b737-300.html