Specialised Fire Spotting Aircraft to Operate From Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay takes another step into the aviation industry.
Hervey Bay has been selected by Observair as its base for operations within Queensland. Observair, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Aerospace, provides specialised aerial surveillance, spotting and asset management services to numerous Government organisations.
Using the worlds most advanced and efficient single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, the Seabird Seeker, Observair has recently been approved to provide aerial support to the Victorian Rural Fire Service and has submitted tenders to both Queensland and New South Wales for the forthcoming fire season.
With an unrivalled and unobstructed 270 degree field of vision from the cockpit, the Seeker allows quick and precise detection of targets “without the need of covering the same ground twice”. Managing Director of Southern Aerospace, Mr Jon Davies said “until one experiences flight in the Seeker, it is difficult to understand that there is simply no other fixed-wing aircraft capable of doing what the Seeker does.
“It provides the visibility of a helicopter and lower operating costs than a Cessna 172”. He added “and being a new fully certified Lycoming powered GA aircraft, it will prove more reliable and less expensive to operate than 20-30 year old Cessna sometimes used in such roles.
“Being a major regional airport, Hervey Bay was chosen as our Queensland base because all facilities are available, Seabird Aviation Australia the Seeker’s manufacturer is based there, airport and hangarage costs are still reasonable, and personnel can be conveniently located from elsewhere with Hervey Bay’s direct connections”. Plans are in place so that by mid 2008 an additional 4 pilots and 4 maintenance staff will be employed.
For long range patrols requiring a faster cruise speed, Observair operates Australia’s only twin-engine fixed-wing specialised observation aircraft, the Partenavia Observer. With a seven hour endurance at 150kts, full glass nose section and convex side bubble observation windows, the Partenavia provides a comfortable, air conditioned environment from which to co-ordinate fire attack roles or spot lightning strikes after a storm front.
The Partenavia is fitted with dual five-place audio panels, numerous VHF and RFS radios, an HF radio and is fully IFR equipped and capable.
Together, the Seeker and the Partenavia offer an attractive fire attack and spotting opportunity allowing the cost effective use of single engine aircraft where permitted and twin engine speed where required. The Seeker is best suited to slow and low patrols and is capable of providing continuous visual contact with a ground target at a patrol speed of 65 kts as a result of its extensive glazing in front of, below, above and next to, the crew.
