On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:03:23 -0000, EridanMan
wrote:

That video almost gave me a heart attack. WOW those pilots earn their
pay.

Is this typical?

It depends on the approach and surrounding terrain. When the houses
are on a ridge line or flat land, and the fire is close, it seems to
happens more often than not. Of course we never see all the drops on
TV, but the ones we do see are pretty awesome. I've seen helicopters
do a drop flying into a bluff and pull nearly straight up, do a stall
turn and pull out going the other way. Anyone who flies water
dropping aircraft truly earn their money.

Ron