Identifying a helicopter over Sydney Harbour

[Edward Terry]

Hi everyone,

I noticed that a blue and orange helicopter was doing what appeared to be bucket drop practice in the Middle Harbour area today. From Balmoral it looked like it was loading the bucket on Georges Heights oval (or somewhere on the Middle Head peninsula) and then dropping its load near the Spit Bridge. This went on for about 30 minutes around 4pm. Does anyone know the rego or the reason for this activity?

Cheers,
Ed

[Jethro H]

I would say it would be one of NPWS machines, like VH NPS or VH ZHM which is a leased machine as in the attached photo in the Blue Mountains last year.

Training in salt water is a bit surprising. It's a bugger to clean that salt out!

[Edward Terry]

Thanks Jethro. That looks like the one.