On The Road Again, so to speak...

Every year I fly from the lower 48 to Alaska and back several times. I never get tired of the trip because of the shear endless beauty.


This year leaving Bellingham WA the weather was quite low. As ATC directed us over Vancouver we couldn't help but wonder what the people below thought of the pair of helicopters skimming across the tops of buildings at almost 200 mph.


The weather didn't improve much through most of Canada. This is in a small channel approaching Prince Rupert Canada, about 45 minutes from the Alaska Border.






Flying along the coast line near Cape Spencer, about mid way between Juneau and Yakutat.

Training in Renton Washington

Last month I spent a week in Renton Washington for 135 training prior to heading up to Valdez Alaska for another season of helisking.


2 Sierra Charlie. One of the 3 helicopters that will be going up to Valdez for the heliski contract this year. We used 2SC to do our 135 training in.


Flying over Century Field in Seattle WA.


Bill Gates (of Microsoft) house with his modest 68 car underground parking garage.

Once the training was complete, I had a week off before picking up the helicopter in Los Angeles and flying up to Valdez.

Doug Sexing it Up on the Astar

Doug and the Astar helicoper. Oooh you sexy thang!

Day 11 For Me

The afternoon, pre-briefing brief. (L-R) Helicopter Manager Keven, Helicopter Crew Randy and John.


The real afternoon briefing. Adam Veal (IC), Dale (Helibase Manager) Randy (Helicrew), Sean (Replacement Ops), Doug (Helicopter Manager Trainee), Keven Johnson, (Helicopter Manager) and Operations Tim Pratt with back to camera.


Directly out of the IAP;

The fire is 90% contained at this time with numerous interior islands of unburnt fuel throughout the fire. The fire is burning in rugged coungtry in the North Umpqua Drainage with elevations ranging from 1200 ft along the North Umpqua River to 3,600 ft on Mace Mountain.

Decreased fire activity is expected.

Well it's day 11 on the fire for me. I have to take a break after 12 days so that means tomorrow is my last day. Monday my replacement takes over and I'll go home for a few days. After that it looks like I'll be off to do some work near Big Bear, California.

I'm excited about that job as I used to work in Big Bear and know many people in that area. Now if we can just get a gig in Idyllwild!

Williams Creek Fire, Crew Photos

My helicopter crew with the Helibase Manager, Dale (Left) and the Keeper of the Box, Scott (Right)




Helibase Manager Dale with his wife and daughters with the Astar.

My New Helicopter Crew

The fire is slowly winding down, the boys from Wyoming have been released and I have a new helicopter crew.


Left to Right; Randy, Kevin (Helicopter Manager), Ellen and Rebecca. I worked with Ellen last year on the Iron 44 fire in Weaverville California.

The Wyoming Boys

My helicopter crew. The Wyoming boys, l -r, Karsten, Sage, Dennis, Mike and Myles.

Future Fire People and Pilots

We had a group of young kids come out and visit us on the Helibase today.

They all had lots of questions about wildland fire fighting and how the helicopter is used.



I think some of them enjoy just sitting in a helicopter as much as I do.

Burn Baby Burn

Today we used the PSD (Plastic Sphere Dispenser) to start some fires. It worked so well I think I just flew myself out of a job. Looks like the fires about burned out and we'll probably be demobbing soon.


Dennis and Myles installing the hopper on the PSD.


With the PSD installed in the Astar helicopter, Mike, Myles and Dennis admire their handiwork.


The Astar, the helicopter crew and the PSD.


Heidi, the Mad Bomber checking her equipment out.


Heidi in the bomber seat, doing final checks.


Dave Lockwood, our bomb boss. He tells me where to fly the helicopter and Heidi where to drop.


Astar helicopter, 350SB configured with the PSD

Lunch in McMinnville, Oregon

Today I flew the AS350B2 Astar helicoper to McMinnville OR. The cool thing was that while I was there I was able to have lunch with my buddy Gary.


The Astar B2 helicopter relaxing near the confluence of the North and South Umpqua Rivers west of Roseburg Oregon.


The instrument panel of the left side drive Astar B2 helicopter.

Off To Oregon to Fight Forest Fires

Current wildfire situation in Oregon. I'll be on the one shown in lower left, Southeast of Eugene.


It's 5am and the suns coming up. Time to start getting geared up.

Picking Up The Backwards B2, Astar helicopter.

This is the backwards B2. Not a great shot because the lighting was horrible. I'll get some better pictures soon.


The backwards B2 left side interior. Astar B2 helicopter

A Few Shots From Work

The staging area with the helicopter and fuel truck.


A beautiful sunset after a rainy day.


Liz Randall stopped by to check out the helicopter.


The helicopter with the long line and carousel.

Just Hangin Out Waiting for the Call...

The Astar BA helicopter in Louisiana.

Another beautiful day in Louisiana today. About 64 degrees and sunny. Flying has been slow the last couple days since it rained and we've spent quite a bit of time sitting and waiting. Sounds like we'll probably go out and pick up some bags today.

Windy Days

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Here's a short clip from last month.