NZFF

When you look at what is going on around the world, especially in the parliaments, you have to wonder why decent, worthwhile people like this bloke have to die
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/w ... k/10133264

Mike, I often have similar thoughts ...some things just aren't fair.

Life is fragile. Flying on fires is a risky game. Changing wind conditions, hot and heavy usually, gear being pushed to the limit and you’re under the pump to get a move on... everybody flying on operations like this know the risks. He died doing what he loved doing... we should all be so lucky

Whenever it come s to fighting Wildfires, both here and in the USA at the moment, it brings to mind that there are far too many buildings constructed in amongst too many trees and scrub....

...a recipe for disaster!

Wildfires would normally be allowed to burn out naturally.

...its what Nature does!

It's a shame that a Pilot has to die fighting the unnecessary if folks took care where they build things!

https://www.kron4.com/news/california/i ... 1332333156

Paul.

Fozz - earlier this week the town where my grandkids live was under threat. Their home was just 2km downwind of the fire, which was being driven by 110km/h (70 mph) winds. In those conditions, burning embers can carry up to 6 km ahead of the firefront, starting fresh fires in the open and accumulating in roof gutters in built-up areas, which can start fires in the roofspace. Grand-daughter's school was evacuated because of the smoke, as were many of the older people who live in the town.
A magnificent effort by the Rural Fire Service (all volunteers) on the ground and the water bombers held the fire at the other side of the highway.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/w ... k/10133264

chopper_nut wrote:Life is fragile. Flying on fires is a risky game. Changing wind conditions, hot and heavy usually, gear being pushed to the limit and you’re under the pump to get a move on... everybody flying on operations like this know the risks. He died doing what he loved doing... we should all be so lucky

Totally agree. The swirling smoke can suddenly plunge a run into a low level IFR operation. I can recall this being the reason for a fatal heli crash in Northland some years ago. Sudden wind shift and a non instrument rated pilot.
A helicopter versus a tree rarely ends well.

This report on our ABC website this evening. It's good to see that some folk still do the right thing. I hadn't known that Mr Tull was a Kiwi.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/p ... h/10161450