2012
Completed
Jim Thomasson (Lead) / Colleen Mooney / Ray Ault
Absolute Tracking Solutions Inc.
Latitude Technologies Corporation
Wildcat Helicopters
Blackcomb Helicopters
BC Wildfire Service
Helicopter bucket and helitank tracking systems have the potential to change how fire suppression agencies measure and manage their helicopter fleets. The data provided by these systems could help agencies identify inefficiencies and reduce operating costs. We explored the current capabilities of two tracking systems and compared their data outputs to our measured data. To collect the information, we conducted drop tests over a grid at speeds and heights typically used by helicopters operationally.