Some new requirements for Call When Needed (CWN) helicopters that are hired for temporary firefighting duty may be expensive for some contractors. In order to qualify for a U. S. Forest Service CWN contract, the new specifications require each Type 3 CWN helicopter, such as a Bell 206, to have wire-cutting kits (designed to help protect the aircraft if it runs into power lines), strobe lights, a heated defroster unit, and a specific type of cargo hook. The changes are supposed to enhance safety and promote standardization. According to contractors quoted in an article in the Washington Examiner, it could cost from $10,000 to $50,000 for each helicopter.
This could be a tough decision for a CWN operator to make. If they spend the money, they may or may not get called to perform any work for the USFS, since CWN resources are only used if the existing full time exclusive use aircraft are not sufficient to handle the work load.
Those operators who are heavily involved in fire already have this equipment. The only people who will be affected are the “part timers” who basically just have CWN contract as a side business.
These have been requirements on EU contracts for some time now.
A lot of CWN helicopters come with this stuff. I can’t remember the details of what the contact calls for. Perhaps someone with a current Type 3 CWN contarct could update us.
In the end operators who have CWN aircraft will do one of two things.
1. Leave CWN fire work.
2. Meet new contract requirements and increase their rates.