Wildfire simulation, view from an aircraft. NAFC image.Australia and New Zealand and the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) have started an Aviation Simulation Project to enhance the training of personnel who use, manage, supervise, and support fire aviation in the two countries.
The project aims to advance the use of simulation across all fire aviation roles. The initial focus is on the roles of Air Operations Manager (AOM), Air Attack Supervisor (AAS), and Air Observer (AOB).
Fire simulation classroom. FS3D image.One of the first steps they are taking is to conduct webinars to demonstrate different simulation tools. A company from the United States, Becker Support Services, was invited to describe their immersive virtual reality training, FS3D. The presenters included Ryan Becker and Trevor Maynard, CEO and CTO respectively of Becker. In addition, Joel Lane and Kenneth Perry of another company, Anchor, Flank, and Pinch participated; they partnered in developing and commercializing FS3D.
The video below, published Oct. 28, 2021 by AFAC, the National Council for fire and emergency services, shows the webinar that featured Becker’s system.
This technology has advanced to the point where numerous participants can take part in a simulation of a wildfire using virtual reality headsets, including firefighters on the ground and in the air.
“We demonstrated that it is possible to run productive virtual sand table exercises with participants from anywhere in the world, even when travel restrictions are in place and gathering indoors is prohibited,” Ryan Becker told Fire Aviation. “Our first users have all had strongly positive reactions. They genuinely wanted to keep training after we ran out of time, and said they wanted to be able to do it on their own time.”
Still image from a wildfire simulation, view from the ground. FS3D image.
Still image from a wildfire simulation, view from tan aircraft. FS3D image.The image below shows scenes from a reconstruction of an actual recent fire in Southern California, the 454-acre Route Fire of September 11, 2021 that crossed Interstate 5 seven miles north of Castaic. Joel Lane and retired MAFFS instructor/test pilot Luke Thompson both worked the fire in real life and helped develop the reconstruction.
Reconstruction of Route Fire. FS3D image.More information about NAFC’s Aviation Simulation Project.
5 Comments
Considering that, in the U.S., aerial firefighting is about 30 years ahead of AUS wouldn’t it be nice if we had something like this? Considering that the accident and fatality rates for aerial firefighting in the U.S. are worse than DOD and GA…wouldn’t it be nice if we had built a facility like this? Instead of the absurd “Superbase” in CO Springs? Crazy thoughts, I know.
Lets see, advanced aerial firefighting training center OR someones pet “Superbase” in the hail bullseye? Hmmmm.
really
30 years behind the US in aerial firefighting
Well, considering they don’t have:
A. A jump program.
B. Tanker bases (they have 1 per State).
C. Helitack crews.
D. A drone program.
C. An FTA over fires.
D. TFR’s over fires.
E. Kneeboards prior to launch
Yeh, well maybe 35 years.
I am loath to even respond as clearly you know not of which you speak and people reading this most are either too polite to refute your baseless claims or ignoring them as words of an ignoramus. But I’ll take a stab at it.
A. A “jump program”, I will guess you are referring to para attack, is a qualifier of a legitimate Airtanker program? Besides the fact it is not, why don’t you list all the districts, agencies or nations that have a parachute deployed ground attack force. Easier still, count the ones that do. I will give you a hint, if you have all the fingers on one hand you were born with you won’t need them all.
B. 1 tanker base per state? Where do you get this stuff..you’re hilarious!! You are joking right? Please say yes.
C. No “Helitake crews”? What does that even mean? They don’t use helicopters to deploy ground crew? You are very wrong and there is a pattern developing here. But I will continue.
D. A Drone program? Enlighten us on what that is and why you think this is a qualifier/disqualifier for a legit wildfire control program. Pssssssst it is irrelevant hint hint.
C. (not sure it why C precedes and then follows D but I am not setting the rules here.) Better read the various agencies procedures before stating such a thing. Oops, too late.
D. (Again another D. Whats your obsession with the letter C and D? Can’t be healthy) TFR around fires? You better read the CASA rules governing fire areas before stating such a thing. Oops, too late..again.
E. Knee board prior to launch? It has become evident that of what little credit you may have started out with has long rode off into the sunset but if any were left in the dust it has been swept away never, ever to return.
We do have something very much like this in the US that pilots attend every year when going to the national aerial firefighting academy. It’s been in use for a number of years now.
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