Things are pretty dynamic with the fires at present as you would expect, the ex Richmond bomber didnt heat to ROK but instead landed at Amberly this morning

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/CGVFK

While the 737 positioned to Mackay last night.

NSW to acquire its own large air tanker

The New South Wales state government plans to acquire its own large air tanker (LAT), which will be the first of its kind to be permanently based in Australia.

Until now both the NSW and Victorian state governments have leased air tankers from overseas – six are currently in Australia for the 2018-19 fire season comprising one Boeing 737, two Lockheed C-130s and three Avro RJ85s.

Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said NSW would acquire its own LAT as well as two fixed-wing “scanning aircraft”.

“This major funding injection will fortify our fleet into the future and provide year-round long-range aerial firefighting capabilities to complement our existing aviation resources,” Grant said on November 16 (we missed the announcement at the time, but thought it still worth reporting on – Ed).

“With longer bushfire seasons comes the increasing threat of severe fires, which is why the NSW government is leading the way by providing our firies with the very best resources to help protect lives and properties.”

The LAT would also be available for other state government jurisdictions to use, Grant said.

Full Story

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...ge-air-tanker/

The RJ (N366AC) based at Richmond left the country headed home today, got to wonder who works out the contacts! still a lot of fire season ahead.

Could be a maintinence issue with a replacement inbound?

Pilot training in the states, that is why it went back.

bmr134 (Coulson c130,,,The rat rod) dept YSRI for Norfolk Island this morning.. 15/03/2019