McClellan, Calif. April 17, 2024 – Spring is finally here and so are the training sessions for CAL FIRE’s Aviation Division. Long before fire season kicks off, all the Air Tankers, Air Attack and helicopters we are used to seeing on fires throughout the season undergo maintenance and rebuilding in CAL FIRE’s McClellan hangars. Then, it’s training and recertification time for the pilots and crews. New this year, training for Fire Hawk pilots and crew to fly with night vision goggles. We caught up with them as they prepared for one of the training flights.
The Sikorsky S70i firefighting helicopters, aka Fire Hawk, primarily respond to initial attack for wildfires, rescue missions, firing operations and mapping. Now, an additional tool in the toolbox are night vision goggles. Pilots and crews trained in maneuvers, including mapping, water drops and coordination with other aircraft at night. The increased capacity can extend the time helicopters pick up crews from the fireline beyond regular cutoff time, or in case of a medical emergency during a night shift.
Crew and specs for the S70i
Crew: One pilot, two Helitack captains, one operations supervisor and up to a nine-person Helitack crew.
Gross Weight: Internal 22,000 lbs./ External 23,500 lbs.
Cruise Speed: 160 mph
Night Vision Capable Range: 250 miles
Endurance: 2.5 hours
Rotor Diameter: 53 feet and 8 inches
Engines: Twin turbine engine, T700-GE701D
Fixed tank 1,000 gallons of water/foam with pilot-controlled drop volumes.
Fixed wing
The CAL FIRE Aviation Management Unit is located at the Sacramento McClellan Base. On base were many of the 23 S-2 air tankers that will be deployed to the 14 air tanker bases through the state, including the Grass Valley Air Attack Base (GOO-NEU.) You probably recognize “our” Tankers 88 and 89 in this video. Soon, they’ll be stationed at GOO, with Air Attack 230 and USFS Air Attack 17.
The hangars, parts depot, class rooms and simulators were packed during our visit. Preparation for fire season is nearing completion; next is fine-tuning and maintenance during fire season.
Editor’s note: Their fire season prep is well underway, are you getting ready too? More video to come soon and thanks to everyone at the Aviation Management Unit, we certainly enjoyed the visit.