50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Victoria to spend $11.1m to secure extra firefighting aircraft

Download: Printable PDF Date: 30 Jul 2016 18:49 (UTC) category:
Publisher:
Victoria to spend $11.1m to secure extra firefighting aircraft - Events / Festivals publisher
Dana Ermolenko
Country: Australia Aircraft: Airplanes
Source: ABC News

The Victorian Government will spend $11.1 million to secure four extra aircraft for the coming bushfire season.

Two of the world's biggest firefighting air tankers will again be added to the state's fleet this summer, as well as an extra helicopter and support plane.

The Government said the large air tankers were critical in stopping the spread of fires at Wye River, Scotsburn and Barnawartha last summer, and dropped almost 850,000 litres of fire retardant between December 2015 and January 2016.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino said the aircraft would bolster Victoria's 43-strong firefighting air fleet.

"We need to ensure we have the best equipment and resources to support our hardworking firefighters and protect our community," he said.

The helicopter, a Helitak, is more agile than the fixed-wing aircraft and can pick up water from lakes, reservoirs and the ocean.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said the fleet played a crucial role in responding to fires and supporting firefighters on the ground.





Recommended

SkyDrive eyes Osaka’s rooftops for a new generation of eVTOL vertiports

Following the successful public flight demonstrations at Expo 2025 Osaka, SkyDrive announced plans to undertake a feasibility study exploring the conversion of Osaka City’s existi...

Vertical Aerospace unveils Valo Assembly Centre to support next phase of aircraft development

Vertical Aerospace has unveiled a new Aircraft Assembly Centre at Cotswold Airport, reinforcing its transition from aircraft development and testing to certification and early-stage production of its...

Emirates opens the door to a memorable Dubai winter

As Dubai prepares for another vibrant winter season, Emirates is inviting travellers from across its global network to discover the city with unparalleled comfort, convenience and exceptional value. L...

Navigating change: Luxaviation UK's George Galanopoulos on growth, innovation and resilience

The business aviation landscape is evolving rapidly. Client expectations are shifting, demand for unique travel experiences is on the rise, and aircraft acquisitions remain resilient despite geopoliti...

Android Apps development in Riga, Latvia