Aerial Ignition Home > Helitorch > General Description
General Description
 The
helitorch is an aerial ignition device that dispenses ignited gelled
fuel and
is attached
to
the helicopter's external cargo hook. The use of gelled fuel allows
the helitorch to be effective in larger forest fuels and when forest
fuel
conditions are marginal. The helitorch is a poor choice for under burning
because gelled fuel can stick to the tree crowns.
Other disadvantages
of using gelled fuel include the need for separate mixing systems,
mixing crew, and a supply of highly flammable gasoline at the helitorch
base.
U.S. federal land management agencies allow only the pilot to be
aboard the helicopter during helitorch operations. Burning operations
must
be supervised from the ground or another aircraft. Australia, Canada,
and
California allow a helitorch operator/burn boss to be aboard the
helitorch aircraft during burning operations.
| 
