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Copter 2 has arrived

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:24 pm
by ChrisK
SDFD Copter 2 arrived at Montgomery Field about 15 minutes ago (2:10 PM). I will have some photos available shortly.

On first glance it looks identical to Copter 1, but doesn't appear to have the FLIR unit under the nose.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:42 pm
by ChrisK
This copter has a four-blade rotor. According to the FAA records it's a 412, where Copter 1 is a 212.

They seem to have followed the same silly registration numbering pattern as last time. Copter 1 is N800DM after Dick Murphy. Copter 2 is N807JS.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:38 pm
by Rescue Pooh
Thanks for the pics. I'm going to have to get out there one of these days. Does anyone know if they're going to base Copter 2 up in Fallbrook like they did last time they had a Copter 2?

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:50 pm
by 2912N
Remember that Copter 2 is for the City...it will probably base down at Brown Field.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:54 pm
by ChrisK
I don't know why they would base it anywhere but at Montgomery. They already have a substantial facility set up there and it's centrally located.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:01 pm
by ChrisK
The Sheriff's Department flies one of their fire helicopters to Fallbrook every morning and it returns to Gillespie in the evening.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:08 pm
by 800
ChrisK wrote:The Sheriff's Department flies one of their fire helicopters to Fallbrook every morning and it returns to Gillespie in the evening.
The support facilities for the Sheriff's birds is at Gillespie (the department maintains their aircraft themselves). I believe SDFD contracts out their maintenance.

When you look at the larger picture regionally, placing Copter 2 at Brown (Fire Station 43) provides 5 fire helicopters serving the county, with diverse basing North to South, facilitating shorter response times to the interface zones.

Don

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:50 pm
by ChrisK
Assuming the new helicopter is ready to go into service I'm sure they will be having a press event to show it off. That should settle the issue of where it will be based.

I'll also be interested in learning whether or not this is a brand new helicopter. Copter 1 was originally built in 1980.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:34 pm
by 800
ChrisK wrote:Assuming the new helicopter is ready to go into service I'm sure they will be having a press event to show it off. That should settle the issue of where it will be based.
I didn't know there was an issue. A copter will be stationed by SDFD at Brown Field.
ChrisK wrote:I'll also be interested in learning whether or not this is a brand new helicopter. Copter 1 was originally built in 1980.
The temporary certificate [to "EDWARDS & ASSOCIATES INC" in Tennessee] doesn't list a manufacture date, but a 412EP is an old enough model that I expect that it is a previously owned airframe.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:22 pm
by hodad200
i asked the dep chief about the airframe, he said it was a brand new bird from the ground up.