This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
Cal Fire BEU Battalion Chief Josh Silveira said the agency is conducting regular training locally for drone pilots, who are using the remote-controlled aerial vehicles to light backfires. The agency hosted an interagency drone class last month in San Benito County to allow their drone pilots to remain proficient.
The class was held at the Bolado Golf Course clubhouse and the pilots practiced their skills at the hang-glider flight area in Tres Pinos. Cal Fire requires a minimum of one flight hour per month to ensure the drone pilots retain proficiency. Training locations differ to give the pilots new challenges.
Silveira said the main focus of this training was the use of drones to assist in controlled burning and lighting backfires. The training involved dropping small spheres that have a dry potassium product in them.
The Chief explained that an exothermic reaction occurs when the sphere is injected with glycol, which results in a fire shortly after the sphere hits the ground. This was done previously with crewed helicopters using a “low and slow” flight profile.
“In an effort to reduce risk to the flight crew, we started using drones to perform this task in 2021,” Silveira said.
In addition to flight exercises, Cal Fire held classes that focused on Federal Aviation Administration policies, sensors and safes in the aircraft, department policies and mission planning, said Silveira.
Silveira said as the lead of the program in the local area, he trains with his 10 local pilots on a weekly basis. Cal Fire has around 170 licensed drone pilots in the agency throughout the state, with 10 of those pilots in San Benito and Monterey counties.
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