HAMILTON, VIC. — More than 36 budding aviation students recently gathered at Hamilton Airbase for the week of Monday, October 5, to Friday, October 9, to become the state’s next cohort of aircrew leaders ahead of the upcoming fire season.
Multi Agency Aircraft Operations Manager for the Training, Wayne Rigg, said five different training courses were conducted over five days, including theory and practical components to become Air Attack Supervisors, Airbase Managers, Aircraft Officers, Hot Refuelers and Bomber Loaders.
“They’re all critical capabilities for us in terms of our aviation management for the state. Aviation training isn’t all about flying helicopters and aeroplanes, there is so much management and logistics that goes on in the background,” Wayne said.
“Our Airbase Managers are here making sure there’s food and fuel and accommodation sorted, and that everything goes right; then we’ve got logistical support with Aircraft Officers who would generally work out of an Incident Control Centre [ICC].
“Our Air Attack supervisors are in the air, above the water bombing aircraft, so they’re managing the tactical aircraft, talking to the ground to make sure that it’s safe.
“In addition to that, without fuel, pilots are pedestrians, so we had people here training to be hot refuelers, and that means they’re refuelling an aircraft while the rotors are still spinning.
“And then critically, which a lot of people don’t see, are bomber loaders. Our single-engine air tankers will come into the loading pit, and our crews will fill that up with 3,200 litres of water, foam or retardant so they can go back out and bomb a fire with what the ground crews need.”
Volunteers and agency staff right across Victoria, from CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria, VICSES, FRV, EMV and Parks Victoria, resided in Hamilton for the week, alongside firefighters from New Zealand, South Australia and New South Wales who also made the journey.
“This is multi-agency work at its best. It doesn’t matter what badge you wear in aviation, or what state you’re from; we’re all here to do the right thing for our community,” Wayne said.
“Aerial firefighting is about supporting the community in times of need, as well as the ground crews. They’re the ones that put the fire out, we go out and help them.
“Our aerial firefighting personnel are renowned, which is why we’re always called upon for our skill set, knowledge and experience to help out overseas, and we’re really proud of that.”
Each year, the training location rotates between Hamilton and the Latrobe Valley, as the facilities allow agencies to utilise established training centres and airbases.
“Half a dozen aircraft were flown in to train people to manage our state’s fleet, along with the use of the training simulator, which is of great benefit to our students,” Wayne said.
“Being based here, geographically, it allows us with options to go to the southern end of the Grampians and out into some private land to upskill our people.
“Alongside the fixed-wing aircraft, we had a couple of firebirds here; one is used for aerial supervision, which sits above to coordinate the drop, while the other one has a 1,200-litre tank underneath, which goes out to bomb the water.”
Based on seasonal risk, aircraft will roll out across the state during the high-risk weather season; however, a ‘bird dog’ and two fixed-wing aircraft will be based in Hamilton to provide coverage for south-west communities this summer.
