January February 2021

Page 38

Skyline Aviation Prepares to Bring First Australian Seahawk into Firefighting Operations Skyline Aviation was quick to purchase the entire fleet of retiring

The word bushfire is still well and truly fresh in most Australians’ minds following the disastrous 2019/20 fire season. A huge focus is on combating them by both state and federal governments, with local fire agencies and Australia’s aerial operators now more prominently featured.

Sea Hawks from the Royal Australian Navy and hopes to bring them into the aerial firefighting role by 2021.

A company established back in 1995 at Newcastle Airport in New South Wales, Australia; today finds itself moving into larger aircraft for the vital aerial firefighting role, joining the list of experienced operators already in Australia. Skyline Aviation Group, based at Lake Macquarie Airport, operates helicopters in diverse roles, including scenic flights, helicopter flight training, external load and firefighting, and various other

AF 38 | aerialfiremag.com

missions. For these sorts of tasks, a diverse fleet is operated by the company, including the Robinson R22 and R44 Helicopter. Skyline’s other types include several Bell Helicopters, including the 206 Jetranger and 206 Longranger, to the larger and more powerful Bell 427 twin-engine helicopter. Different types operated include the Airbus Helicopters BO105 and AS350. The company moved into the national spotlight after announcing on 8 November 2018 the acquisition of eleven former Royal Australian Navy, S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, including a vast parts inventory.


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