NSW RADIO AND COMMUNICATIONS - by Michael Bailey: September 2017

Saturday, September 9, 2017

RFS HELICOPTERS - FIREBIRD 200 (Part 3)

Hello and welcome back.. Part 3 of RFS Helicopters

FIREBIRD 200
This chopper was interesting to photograph..

Its a Aerospatiale AS-350B Squirrel (ex NPWS) and has a distinctive Thermal Camera attached at the front on the passenger side skid.

What was interesting about this helicopter was halfway through taking a few photos, a RFS person who seemed to be a tad pissed at me taking photos of this helicopter, asked me not to take photos of the Thermal Camera. I thought he was joking..

He wasn't...

I didn't get to ask why as he walked away talking on his phone.. Interesting

Cockpit View

Stunning Bird

#NSWRFS
#RFS
#NSWRadio&Communication
#Firebird200

RFS HELICOPTERS - HELITACK 201 / 202 (Part 2)

Hello and welcome back... Part 2 looks at Helitack 201 / 202 RFS Helicopters

Both are BK117 Kawasaki Helicopters.

HELITACK 201
I was lucky enough to have one of the pilots show me around this amazing bird, which i was most grateful.

All photos by Michael Bailey

Cockpit view

Enough room to swing a cat

Engine Bay

Getting ready for take off

In the Air - Possibly the best photo that I've taken.
I Put the shutter speed on 1/60 to slow the blades down and to capture a sharp image.. hard to do when moving.

Normal image giving that frozen blade look.

HELITACK 202

This chopper was over in the distance and is the same type as Helitack 201 - A Kawasaki BK117

A bit Dusty.. cough, cough

Tried the blade effect but not as sharp as the photo above..

Helitack 202 fly over

#NSWRFS
#RFS
NSWRadio&Communication

Friday, September 8, 2017

RURAL FIRE HELICOPTER DISPLAY - PART 1

Hello and welcome back.. Yesterday, I got the chance to go to a display at Winmalee oval (see previous post) in which the Rural Fire of NSW was holding a function for what I thought was a display for the public.

It seems it wasn't.

It was a display for the Commissioner of Rural Fire 'Shane Fitzsimmons' who showed up just before lunch and a few other important people's

Lucky for me, I got there about 10am and was able to have a peek at these amazing machines that will be keeping us safe this summer before things got all serious.

Remote Area Operations truck - this unit allows people on the ground to see Thermal Imaging taken from Helicopter 'Firebird 200' attached camera.

HELICOPTERS ON DISPLAY

FIREBIRD 200
This stunning Helicopter know as Firebird 200 is a Aerospatiale AS-350B Squirrel.

The front passenger skid has a large thermal camera attached so firefighters can see the intensity of the fire from above.

HELITACK 201
RFS helicopter 'Helitack 201' is a Kawasaki BK117.

HELITACK 202
RFS helicopter 'Helitack 201' is also a Kawasaki BK117

A more in-depth look will follow in parts 2 / 3

All photos by Michael Bailey

#NSWRFS
#RFS
#NSWRadio&Communication
#Firebird200
#Helitack201
#Helitack202

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

RFS FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTERS

Hello and welcome back... Have the day off tomorrow?

Head to Summerhays Park, Winmalee (near Springwood) Blue Mountains to watch several Helicopters go through their paces (Sept 7th)

The display will be between 9am - 3.30pm

Read more HERE = https://www.bluemts.com.au/news/international-and-australian-firefighting-authorities-visit-the-blue-mountains/

FREQUENCIES
NPWS Heli    122.8500
NPWS Heli    123.8500
NPWS Heli    124.0500
NPWS Heli    125.4500
NPWS Heli    130.6500
NPWS Heli    134.7000
RFS Heli    119.1000
RFS Heli    128.7000
RFS Heli    123.6500
RFS Heli    132.5500
RFS Heli    118.1500
RFS Heli    124.4500
RFS Heli    130.5500
RFS Heli    133.2000
RFS Heli    124.2500
Air to Air    123.4500
Fire Tac Comms    450.4125

Hope to see you there.