About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Gallery Update: Aerial Firefighting Assets in Salem

I haven't flown since Labor Day weekend and after nearly two weeks of no flying thanks to all the wildfire smoke we saw here, I finally got a flight in this evening after about two good days of rain to clear the place up! After landing back in Salem, I got a few quick ramp shots in the dusk light of some aerial firefighting aircraft that were parked for the night and they were worth photographing.

Salem (SLE) 58

Preview:

Air Spray Air Tractor AT-802A Airtanker (N358AS) "Tanker 829" parked on the ramp. As of recent, this Airtanker has been working on wildfires up around the Newberg-area.

North Wind Helicopters Bell UH-1H Iroquois (N353RC) parked on the ramp. This "Huey" built in 1966 is capable of aerial firefighting with a hanging bucket, but can also be used in a variety of other roles ranging from forestry support, farm crop support, and aerial spray application. As of recent, this venerable Vietnam War-era helicopter has been supporting efforts around the Beachie Creek, Lionshead, and Riverside fires, which have all been burning in the rural parts east of Salem.

CHI Aviation Boeing CH-47D Chinook (N949CH) parked on the ramp. Supporting the firefighting efforts occurring east of Salem. CHI is a subsidiary of The Heligroup Organization, which operates four operating and three asset-holding companies and their fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Neat to see a civilian Chinook! Formerly 90-00205 with the United States Army.

Baker Aircraft Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III (N412KK) parked on the ramp. Based out of Baker City, Oregon, this helicopter has also been supporting firefighting efforts that's been happening east of Salem.

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