Latest LACFD Firehawk info.
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Latest LACFD Firehawk info.
http://home.earthlink.net/~garyl2/firehawk.htm
Check out the latest info on the new LA County Fire Dept. Firehawk.
Check out the latest info on the new LA County Fire Dept. Firehawk.
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I noticed several things right away in the photo of ship #19 (N190LA).
First, it's equipped with the HIRSS exhaust assemblies. Second, it also has the VHF/FM homing antennas (the vertical bar looking structure directly behind the cockpit door). It also has provisions for the ESSS pylons (External Stores Support System) if it's desired to fit these in the future. For a civvy Black Hawk this would be useful for carrying external fuel tanks for long range missions. It also probably has an airborne search/weather radar system installed, as the radome in located in the extended pod on the very front.
It doesn't seem to have a rescue hoist however, which is normally installed on the right side of the aircraft (actually I can't tell from the photo). I would have thought this was required if they intended to use the aircraft for search and rescue work as well as fire fighting, as the Black Hawk is one of finest search and rescue helos in the world.
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Safe flying to you...
First, it's equipped with the HIRSS exhaust assemblies. Second, it also has the VHF/FM homing antennas (the vertical bar looking structure directly behind the cockpit door). It also has provisions for the ESSS pylons (External Stores Support System) if it's desired to fit these in the future. For a civvy Black Hawk this would be useful for carrying external fuel tanks for long range missions. It also probably has an airborne search/weather radar system installed, as the radome in located in the extended pod on the very front.
It doesn't seem to have a rescue hoist however, which is normally installed on the right side of the aircraft (actually I can't tell from the photo). I would have thought this was required if they intended to use the aircraft for search and rescue work as well as fire fighting, as the Black Hawk is one of finest search and rescue helos in the world.
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Safe flying to you...
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To Flight Safety:
The S-70s were bought from a canceled Barainian (spell)Goverment contract.Im very surprised the helicopter has the HIRSS Exhausts and am shocked it has the nose radar because it will NEVER be used as LACFD doesnt fly IFR for any reason. I suspect the radar will be deleted at some time and was probably included in the Barainian contract.
The mounts for the extented range fuel tanks will not be used as the helicopter will not require the extra fuel.Im sure the County didnt buy the ESSS "wings" or tank package. There are plenty of Airports for refueling and the internal 3 hour endurance is more than enough for the missions flown.
The helicopter will go and have the extended landing gear and tank package installed and then enter service.
I will call my friend at the county and get more info in regards to the radar and Exhaust supressors. Im surprised both were included in the purchase.
To Thomas:
$25 million for two airframes.
Lotsa money.....but are worth
it as the extra speed and power
are needed over the overweight and power limited 412s.
The S-70s were bought from a canceled Barainian (spell)Goverment contract.Im very surprised the helicopter has the HIRSS Exhausts and am shocked it has the nose radar because it will NEVER be used as LACFD doesnt fly IFR for any reason. I suspect the radar will be deleted at some time and was probably included in the Barainian contract.
The mounts for the extented range fuel tanks will not be used as the helicopter will not require the extra fuel.Im sure the County didnt buy the ESSS "wings" or tank package. There are plenty of Airports for refueling and the internal 3 hour endurance is more than enough for the missions flown.
The helicopter will go and have the extended landing gear and tank package installed and then enter service.
I will call my friend at the county and get more info in regards to the radar and Exhaust supressors. Im surprised both were included in the purchase.
To Thomas:
$25 million for two airframes.
Lotsa money.....but are worth
it as the extra speed and power
are needed over the overweight and power limited 412s.
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To Larry, are you sure that LACFD won't re-consider keeping the radar? The S-70 has an outstanding IFR capability with the radar when flown with 2 pilots. These 2 aircraft might be the only 2 helos LACFD possesses that has IFR SAR capabilities.
I know that Sikorsky has tested (on an S-76) a special variant of EGPWS designed specifically for helos. This variant displays the vertical terrain data surrounding the helo in color coded form, indicating what terrain is above the helo's current altitude, and what terrain is below it. This could be fitted to the S-70s.
I'd also guess that since these were originally intended to be government machines, they were also fitted with radar altimeters. With just the special EGPWS added to the package (given the high terrain surrounding LA), these would be great IFR search and rescue machines.
Link to Sikorsky press release on Honeywell Mk22 EGPWS for helos.
http://www.sikorsky.com/news/20010212b_cfit.html
Link to Honeywell brochure on the MK22.
http://www.egpws.com/gen_info/brochures/mkxxii.pdf
To TC, yes can I see the hoist in the photo now. The hoist is grey instead of white, and before it looked like part of the HIRSS treatment on the front of the engine intake. I can see the end of the winch cable just hanging from the hoist.
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Safe flying to you...
[This message has been edited by Flight Safety (edited 15 March 2001).]
I know that Sikorsky has tested (on an S-76) a special variant of EGPWS designed specifically for helos. This variant displays the vertical terrain data surrounding the helo in color coded form, indicating what terrain is above the helo's current altitude, and what terrain is below it. This could be fitted to the S-70s.
I'd also guess that since these were originally intended to be government machines, they were also fitted with radar altimeters. With just the special EGPWS added to the package (given the high terrain surrounding LA), these would be great IFR search and rescue machines.
Link to Sikorsky press release on Honeywell Mk22 EGPWS for helos.
http://www.sikorsky.com/news/20010212b_cfit.html
Link to Honeywell brochure on the MK22.
http://www.egpws.com/gen_info/brochures/mkxxii.pdf
To TC, yes can I see the hoist in the photo now. The hoist is grey instead of white, and before it looked like part of the HIRSS treatment on the front of the engine intake. I can see the end of the winch cable just hanging from the hoist.
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Safe flying to you...
[This message has been edited by Flight Safety (edited 15 March 2001).]
