The 3rd Agusta Westland AW-139 has arrived. New arrival will become 'Fire-2" replacing a 23-year old Bell 412.
LAFD Receives Third AW-139 | Vertical - Helicopter News
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LAFD Receives Third AW-139 | Vertical - Helicopter News
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LAFD receives new Helo
- Thread starter LAflyer
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Thanks for the news story link. 
Was looking for it the other week. When it flew to California on March,29-April,3rd.
N381SH (ModeS:A46099)
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N381SH
Updated the local helicopter list the other week.
http://forums.scanbernardino.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23
http://forums.scanriverside.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=434
Was looking for it the other week. When it flew to California on March,29-April,3rd.
N381SH (ModeS:A46099)
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N381SH
Updated the local helicopter list the other week.
http://forums.scanbernardino.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23
http://forums.scanriverside.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=434
The pilots I've talked to, HATE them.
W2NJS
Member
If you think it appropriate (your choice) can you say why the pilots dislike the A-W helo?
Anyone know when LASO is placing the 3 super Pumas in service? Will they stay black or be painted green and gold?
Might want to ask on the LASO Pumas thread
RR Thread: http://forums.radioreference.com/gr...-receives-3-new-puma-utility-helicopters.html
RR Thread: http://forums.radioreference.com/gr...-receives-3-new-puma-utility-helicopters.html
No power. During firefighting ops with the belly tank full, they can only fly with one pilot on board.
Is that not because the LAFD opted twice to retrofit larger water tanks on the birds?
They were delivered with conformal 350 gallon tanks (same as Bell 412s), but as I recall the LAFD then opted to get 420 gallon tanks. That’s almost 600lbs in added weight if utilized.
And most recently in December 2011, they received added funding to yet again change out the water tanks, now to a 470 gallon version. All said and done they crammed another 1,000lbs of payload on the aircraft above original plans.
For the record the AW139 has almost twice the power of the Bell 412s. The Pratt Whitey engines produce 1679hp versus the 900 on the Bell 412s.
btw - cool pic !
They were delivered with conformal 350 gallon tanks (same as Bell 412s), but as I recall the LAFD then opted to get 420 gallon tanks. That’s almost 600lbs in added weight if utilized.
And most recently in December 2011, they received added funding to yet again change out the water tanks, now to a 470 gallon version. All said and done they crammed another 1,000lbs of payload on the aircraft above original plans.
For the record the AW139 has almost twice the power of the Bell 412s. The Pratt Whitey engines produce 1679hp versus the 900 on the Bell 412s.
btw - cool pic !
Last edited:
DPD1
Member
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- Jul 24, 2005
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They're bigger overall. About 1000 pounds heavier I think. That probably makes it feel a little more sluggish than the 412. But surprisingly, it does apparently carry more water. It doesn't look like it could, but it does. I haven't seen the latest tanks. I assume they must extend out the sides a bit or something.
N381SH flying Thursday night at 20:00 hours(8:00pm).
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