mudkow60 Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 Does anyone have knowledge of the pros and cons of operating a Bell 214B compared to a Super Huey on fires? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kona4breakfast Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 Temsco has had a 214B at Fairbanks for years. The fuel tanks take up most of the wells, and IIRC it has less than 2 hrs of legs. They use a basket for the cargo that would otherwise go in the wells. It does have a big ass bucket, I think around 500 gallons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChris Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) Does anyone have knowledge of the pros and cons of operating a Bell 214B compared to a Super Huey on fires? Thanks! That’s a very broad question, you need to be more specific; however, here’s some general numbers. Also, the term “Super Huey” has been grossly misused with respect to its specific and actual configuration. You’ll need to be more specific with respect to the actual helicopter’s upgrades and engine type. The TCDS for both rate the minimum crew as 1 pilot; however, most fly the 214B with two pilots. Also the 214B gross wt. @ 13,800 requires a type rating. Maximum weight 12,500 lbs. for 214B-1 (See Note 10)13,800 lbs. for 214B16,000 lbs. for 214B and 214B-1 external cargo operations (See Note 4) Bell 214B / 214B-1 TCDS Edited October 15, 2018 by iChris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudkow60 Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) Well, there is a Super Huey and Huey II... and some form in-between. Was looking at the lifting capacity with fuel, etc. I am trying to compare it to either a +, ++, II, or the Frankenbird Hueys we fly. Edited October 16, 2018 by mudkow60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChris Posted October 18, 2018 Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 (edited) Type II (medium) helicopters in the restricted category are basically assigned bucket or longline missions. That being the case, you going to be limited to around a 324-gallon water bucket for most of your fire work and maybe a 420-gallon working down at sea-level. Most Bell type II ship fall within 200 - 300 pounds of each other on the load calc., so for fire, trying to compare them is largely academic. The USFS Type II exclusive contracts were already awarded, link below, they were all Standard Category helicopters. The new USFS CWN contract coming soon. That’s what’s left for Restricted Category UH-1s along with some state contracts like Cal fire CWN and ODF. (1) Minimum USFS Performance HOGE Standard and Restricted Category Type II Helicopters. Capability of hovering out-of-ground effect (HOGE) with a minimum 1600 pound jettisonable payload, in the following conditions: •200 lbs. for each required flight crewmember • 1½ hours of fuel (includes reserve). Use 7-lbs per gallon to compute weight of Jet A. • 5,000’ Pressure Altitude (PA) Dependent on Solicitation • 30°C (86ºF) Dependent on Solicitation (2) Example Bell 205A-1 working-load calculation (water bucket mission) at the same conditions: 8,500 Lbs. - Gross HOGE 5,000 PA@30°C-5,200 Lbs. - BEW-924 Lbs. - 1½ hours of fuel-200 Lbs. - Pilot-2,036Lbs. - 324-gallon water bucket @ 70% (226-gal x 8.33 + 154 Lbs. bucket wt.)---------------163 Lbs. - Useful load remaining Type I (Heavy) Helicopter: A helicopter with a certified internal gross weight of over 14,001 pounds. Under the ICS helicopter typing system, a heavy helicopter is a Type 1 helicopter and has 10 + passenger seats (unless restricted category). Type II (Medium) Helicopter: A helicopter with a certified internal gross weight between 7,001 and 14,000 pounds. Under the ICS helicopter typing system, a medium helicopter is a Type 2 helicopter and has 9 or less passenger seats (unless restricted category). Type III (Light) Helicopter: A helicopter with a certified internal gross weight of less than 7,000 pounds. Under the ICS helicopter typing system, a light helicopter is a Type 3 helicopter and has 9 or less passenger seats. Type IV (Extra Light) Helicopter: Between 2-3 passenger seats or 600 to 1,199 lbs. payload and 75 to 99 gallons retardant capacity. Awarded Exclusive Use - Type II Helicopter Contracts - Initial Attack National Call When Needed (CWN) Type I and II Helicopter Specifications Questions submitted and responses to upcoming National Call When Needed (CWN) Type I and II Helicopter Contract. Edited October 18, 2018 by iChris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudkow60 Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 We fly tank ships... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted December 5, 2018 Report Share Posted December 5, 2018 The 214's "usually" fly with two pilots. They aren't used much if any here in the Lower States anymore. Really popular in Australia and Alaska. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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