San Diego County CA Copter 12

A while back, I found the above video on youtube, shot from the cockpit of San Diego County's Copter 12. It is an awesome video, with some great fire shots. hwyted posted the video and he has several others posted on youtube. If you are interested in shots from firefighting helicopters, check out his other videos. For some more information on copter 12, a Bell Huey 205 A1++, go this webpage where there is brief description of all aircraft used by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

These aircraft are ASTREA (Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies) aircraft. ASTREA has a nice photo gallery with photos of copter 12 and other helicopters. Copter 12 can be identified by the "12" on its front end.

Another photo gallery of ASTREA helicopters may be found here, on the webpage of the Aerial Law Enforcement Association.

Copter 12 and it's sister, copter 10 have 375 gallon fixed tanks on their bellies and are also known as helitankers. Helitankers fill up their belly tanks by hovering over a body water, using a long tube, called a snorkle that takes water into the tank. If you watch the video above, you will see some footage of another helitanker refilling its tanks. Look at the pictures on the photo galleries and you will see some pictures of copter 12 flying with its snorkle tube hanging from its belly.

If you are so inclined, you may find aircraft certification for copter 12 (N107BZ) here.