Helicopters (Australia) Pty Ltd is one of four subsidiary companies of the Helicopters (NZ) LTD Group [www.helicoptersnz.co.nz] and have operated continuously in Australia since 1982.
The main base of operations is located in purpose built engineering and management facilities at Perth Western Australia, with an additional forward support base in Karratha, Western Australia almost 1000 miles north.
The principal activities and contracts supported Australia wide include mineral and mining exploration, marine pilot transfers, Antarctic exploration and support, Bushfire support activities including aerial attack coordination, Urban Interface Aerial Initial attack and support activities for the government agencies of conservation and emergency services. Another major long-term contract held involves the provision of flight crews and engineering staff to ESSO Australia for it offshore oil activities in the South Eastern state of Victoria.
In 2002 Helicopters (Australia) working in support of the Western Australian joint state agencies Fire and Emergency Services Authority [FESA] and Conservation and Land Management [CALM] identified a need for rapid aerial attack for the growing urban interface around the state capital city of Perth. As a result of extensive evaluation of existing equipment and models utilised in similar situations globally and Australia wide, the concept of utilising the Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter and Simplex model 310 belly tank was settled upon. This combination offered the best utility helicopter/tank package to cover the widest possible roles on the Australian urban fire ground for the best value to the client.
Helicopters (Australia) were awarded a contract to initially provide two helicopters and aerial attack systems and have successfully provided effective and measurable initial attack over the past two seasons. The recent purchase of an additional Simplex model 310 tank system has enabled the company to diversify the aerial attack role further and deploy its services and equipment to Europe during the Australian winter.
Chosen for overall quality, state of the art features and after sale support, Simplex Fire Attack Systems feature a 1,100 liter water capacity, 1,136 liter/min. rapid hover fill, 102 liter internal foam concentrate tank, and pilot selectable drop patterns. Under contract to the Western Australian Departments, Fire and Emergency Services Agency [FESA] and Conservation and Land Management [CALM], the systems will be tasked for “first attack” to wildfire events in the urban/rural interface around the state capital city of PERTH, and other regional areas as the risk is assessed and managed.
The systems were in service within days after arriving in country with impressive results. In 2003, Simplex supplied an additional Model 310 Fire Attack System that is currently being operated by the Helicopters (Australia) parent company, Helicopters (New Zealand) in New Zealand.
Helicopters (Australia) are supporters of the 11th annual Australian Fire Authorities Council conference [ see www.congresswest.com.au/AFAC] which will be held in Perth, Western Australia 7th to 9th October 2004, where they will display aircraft and equipment to national and international delegates.