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Airtankers Grounded?
Has anyone else heard that all the larger airtankers were grounded for this
season? Including P-2s, P-3s, and all the DC series? Some operators and pilots must be hurting right about now. Scott G. |
#2
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An article in the Rapid City Journal says the U.S. Forest Service has
cancelled contracts involving 33 heavy air tankers out of concern for their airworthiness. "The federal government terminated contracts with Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Mont., as well as Hawkins & Powers and six other companies. The government had a contract for seven Neptune planes and two Hawkins & Powers planes. Neptune officials said the termination would put them out of business. Hawkins & Powers said the company could survive on other firefighting business." http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/arti...top/news01.txt -- Paul Hirose To reply by email delete INVALID from address. |
#3
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On Wed, 12 May 2004 21:41:36 -0700, Scott G. wrote:
Has anyone else heard that all the larger airtankers were grounded for this season? Including P-2s, P-3s, and all the DC series? Some operators and pilots must be hurting right about now. Scott G. One offered solution to the 33 grounded air tankers (assuming we're talking about the same thing), is this (http://www.evergreenaviation.com/supertanker/index.html) 747. It's supposed to have 24,000 gallons of tank space. |
#4
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"Greg Copeland" wrote in message news One offered solution to the 33 grounded air tankers (assuming we're talking about the same thing), is this (http://www.evergreenaviation.com/supertanker/index.html) 747. It's supposed to have 24,000 gallons of tank space. One of the reasons the Forest Service is going to small Ag planes for firebombing is turn around time. While 24,000 gallons is nice it does no good if the plane has to then fly 45 minutes to an hour to a suitable airport. Also, they don't drop water on fires. They drop retardant, it's reddish colored goo that gets everywhere on the plane behind where it drops out. There is no way a 747 could be made to work economically. |
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On Mon, 17 May 2004 09:09:35 -0600, Newps wrote:
"Greg Copeland" wrote in message news One offered solution to the 33 grounded air tankers (assuming we're talking about the same thing), is this (http://www.evergreenaviation.com/supertanker/index.html) 747. It's supposed to have 24,000 gallons of tank space. One of the reasons the Forest Service is going to small Ag planes for firebombing is turn around time. While 24,000 gallons is nice it does no good if the plane has to then fly 45 minutes to an hour to a suitable airport. Also, they don't drop water on fires. They drop retardant, it's reddish colored goo that gets everywhere on the plane behind where it drops out. There is no way a 747 could be made to work economically. Very interesting stuff. Sadly, I see I'm constantly "Mr Late" with the links here. Just the same, thanks for the followup. |
#6
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" Also, they don't drop water on fires. They drop retardant, it's reddish colored goo that gets everywhere on the plane behind where it drops out. What????? We will have to tell them to stop putting all that water in them 'thar tankers. For your information, the "goo" that comes out is a combination of (don't hold me to exact figures) about 99% water and 1% retardant. It is much like firefighting foam, and is best described as a wetting agent, like soap. The red is there to aid in spotting where the load went, and help in spotting for the next load, or to see if more is to be needed there. There is no way a 747 could be made to work economically. You don't have a good grip on the economics of large tracts of timber, do you? The biggest reason big planes are not as good, is like has been mentioned, refill time, but more importantly, the tight canyons and such that a big plane would have a problem with. You have to get pretty low for the drops to work the best. Sorry if this post is attributed to the wrong person, but you all know who it is for. -- Jim in NC --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.686 / Virus Database: 447 - Release Date: 5/14/2004 |
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