Every year the forests of Norway are watched from the skies. Between April and September flying clubs around Norway patrol the large forest areas of the country. This service is key to spot forest fires in an early stage, and thus prevent extensive damage to nature.
Pilots fly over forest areas in 2,5 hours shifts.
Terje Tveten, the leader of the flying club which first started surveillance of forests.
Normally there are two people on board: the pilot who flies the plain and an observant who is in contact with the firefighters and actively scans the horizon for smoke.
Altough nowadays pilots use Ipads to better navigate, they still bring maps on each flight. Just in case.
Alexander Halvorsen is one of many voluntary pilots which are apart of this service.
Ringerike Motorflyklubb’s clubhouse.
The plain is always parked with full tanks in case the pilots are called for an unexpected flight.
If the firefighters request for aerial support, the pilots have 1 hour to be in the air.
The pilots have to provide information to the firefighters on the ground. Where water can be found, which roads to take and how the fire is developing.