Flying in the line of fire

As Australian helicopters head north to help with wildfires in Europe, a deadly crash in Greece – and new regulations following a crash in WA two years ago – have once again put the spotlight on how dangerous it can be to fight fires from the air. While national standard operating procedures are cutting down on confusion, and unmanned drones are taking surveillance crews off the front lines, it's clear that there will always be some danger for those who fly out to battle the increasingly common mega-blazes around the world. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at the risks borne by aerial firefighters, and ask what more can be done to keep our flying firies safe. Plus, Australia's airports celebrate a rip-roaring financial year, with passenger traffic breaking records at gateways both large and small.