The aircraft was approved last week by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DWE) after the proper communication radio was installed and tested.

Air Warrnambool chief flying instructor Tony Franc said the aircraft is available throughout the fire danger period.

“As a pilot, flying is what you do enjoy but you do hope there isn’t a need for it,” he said. “If we’re called in the aim is to have that fire out as soon as possible.”

Mr Franc said the approval means a fire-spotter is now based in Warrnambool.

After the go-ahead was given he was on call on the weekend and in the skies patrolling around Hamilton.

“If there is a fire we fly over it and notify ground crews about how quickly and which way the it’s running,” he said.

“We get a call from the DSE which will say we need you to be on stand-by tomorrow. It’s if there is a high fire danger.

“On the weekend there was concerns with the wind and the lightning. If there is any fire we’re called out to provide support to the ground crews.”

Before the approval of the Cessna, the air attack support person based in Warrnambool had to go to Hamilton and fly with Sharp Airlines, or have an aircraft fly to Warrnambool to pick him up.

Mr Franc has had about 100 hours of fire spotting around western Victoria at fires around the Grampians, Portland and Casterton.

“All flying is good fun, it’s just hot,” he said.

A DSE spokeswoman said Mr Franc is listed on the Call When Needed register run by the State Aircraft Unit, which manages aviation resources for the CFA and the DSE.

The CFA and DSE will use his aircraft to undertake fire detection flights and for firefighting support if it is available when requested.

In addition to the 30 other light fixed-wing aircraft around the state on the Call When Needed register, which are used for fire spotting and fire support, there are another 41 aircraft in the state fleet available for firebombing and support activities.

cquirk@standard.fairfax.com.au