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• Log Harvesting
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• Mill Report
• Safety Stats
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• Fred's Compost Talk
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By Jim Messer, Chief Operating OfficerOperations

Aircrane

Seems like we just started the Southern Australia fire season, but it is almost time to bring the fleet back home. The 2 Bell 212's will finish their tour in Adelaide at the end of February and the S-61's could be finished the following week. There is a possibility that one or both of them may be extended for a week or two for aerial burning.

Although the fire season and aircraft hours have been quieter our crews have had an above average number of tours and trials that have given our operations good exposure. The 212's participated in Gel trials in South Australia and CLM has had the opportunity to work with the state of Victoria on a rappel program (see sequence of pictures on next page).

Congratulations to the Aircrane team on successfully completing the final phase of testing on the "Coulson Fireboss 4000". Our S-61 tank is now LSTC'ed (certified in Canada) and has been shipped over to C-FMAY in Australia. The tank will immediately be fitted and tested on the aircraft and will have an opportunity to be demonstrated to a large group of Australia Fire Officials. Wayne Coulson will be flying over to attend these trials.

We have received the qualification tender package for the next few years of rotor and fixed wing fire contracts for Australia. We are preparing presentations for S-61'S, Bell 212's and the Martin Mars.

Flying Tankers

Flying tankers are in the middle of their winter maintenance and annual audit program while getting ready for spring classroom training. We have purchased a Turbine Cessna 206 on amphibious floats that will fulfill a bird-dog role for the Martin Mars. This will be a valuable tool when the Mars goes remote for crew and equipment transport.

Currently the Hawaii Mars has a contract booked from mid May to mid August with the BC Forest Service. We are still working a possibility with San Diego that would fit well after the BC contract. We are also still marketing the Philippine Mars very hard with several Provinces, States and Greece. We will need to conclude one of these opportunities by late March to have time to be ready for this season.

S61 Australia

On February 22, 2008, we finally got a chance to show the S61 in the roll of Rappelling. February 2006 we did some heliport trials but progressed no further. Below you will see DSE Manager Nick Ryan on the right and Rappel Program Manager Bryan Rees coming down the stairs.

As part of our procedures, pictured below is John Currie conducting the mandatory pre-work safety briefing using the DSE safety check list.

To the left is John, Dave and Pat plus David Wells, head of the Mansfield DSE, his counterpart Phi. At the end is Nick Ryan, head of the DSE Air desk.

Below standing L. to R. are Mike Forsyth, DSE on-site manager Ewan Waller, DSE; Russel Reece, CFA; and Nick Ryan. The S61 348 at Cann River, Australia fighting fire.

	The crew is making rappel dry runs while the helicopter is on the ground. By doing this procedural differences between the Bell 212 and those needed for the S61 can be worked out.
	The crew is loading up to relocate to the Rappelling area. Note the packs attached to their left legs. Additional gear will be lowered to the crew as part of the initial attack sequence. Chain saws, hand tools, rations and water will all go into bags to be lowered to the crew as part of the rappel support.
	As part of the training, all individuals on board have to become familiar with the movement procedures to enable the rappeller to move from his seat to the exit position. Bryan Rees is giving the crew instructions concerning these procedures.
	Just prior to the Rappeller moving to the exit, Bryan is checking the equipment for proper fit and condition. At this time we have the helicopter positioned over the target and the final checks are being carried out.
	The Rappeller is on the external step just ready to leave the helicopter. The helicopter is hovering at two hundred feet above the ground. The trip down, from a height of two hundred feet, happens very quickly. The average time to the ground is approximately 20 seconds. This rappeller is half way to the ground. You can see the previous rappellers on the ground in the target area along the road. The weather changed quickly causing the Rappel operations to be cancelled for the day before we were able to move to the second phase. After next week, Bryan and his crew will be available to complete the trails moving to bush type terrain from lower heights checking for rotor wash involvement. The feed back from the rappelling crew was all positive and everyone is looking forward to the next phase. Some suggestions were made concerning additional equipment needs and locations. As the trials progress, additional concerns will be considered.

2008 Safety Committee Training

On February 1st, 2008 the BC Safety Council held a 2008 Safety Committee Training Session. .

Front Row L/R are: Mike Patterson - HMP; Clint Jackson - CFP; Nichole Biernaczyk, BC Safety Council Instructor; Louise Shepherd - CAL; Ron Spencer - CML.

Middle Row L/R are: Neil Nixon, Safety Manager; Greg Alkerton - CSL; Glenn Burns - HMP; Darren Van Dyke - CSL; Keith Gagnon - CML; Kawliga Watts - Millworks; Nathan Lucas - Millworks; Don DeForest - CFP; Zolie Schafer - CFP; Brent Masso - CFP.

Third Row L/R: Darcy Huntly - CSL; Wayne Darlington - CAL; Jim Silver - CML; Wes Michalenko - RimRock; Brent Siferd - CAL; Jim Isaac - CFP; Mike McLeman - Millworks; Brian Dalziel - CFP; Brody Dalziel - CFP; Ron Sorensen - CFP.