Fighting California Fires

[MooneyMitch]

This amazing general aviation aircraft returning for another load here at SMX !!  WOW!!!

Edited November 1, 2019 by MooneyMitch
Correction

[ArtVandelay]

Why do tankers have windows?


Tom

[Yetti]

You don't fight forest fires.   Mostly try to outflank it and contain it.   air tankers just kind of try to draw lines to contain

 

[Ron McBride]

Watching these aircraft work is absolutely amazing.  The pilots must have big cajones.    I have seen them drop retardant and climb out of valleys that I would not want to have a Mooney in. 
 

[MooneyMitch]

14 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

Why do tankers have windows?


Tom

I suppose this particular unit is a retired DC10 commercial passenger aircraft.

[MooneyMitch]

It’s quite exciting watching this monster taxing past my hangar !  

Edited November 1, 2019 by MooneyMitch
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[tigers2007]

A380’s are being retired by airlines at a faster pace. I’m curious if the A380 can actually fly with more water than a 747. Probably not worth the hassle over a super cheap 747 or DC-10.


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[MooneyMitch]

5 minutes ago, tigers2007 said:

A380’s are being retired by airlines at a faster pace. I’m curious if the A380 can actually fly with more water than a 747. Probably not worth the hassle over a super cheap 747 or DC-10.


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I suspect the market will dictate this.  

Possibly a market flooded with A380’s might make less expensive pricing for that aircraft.

Time will tell.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, Yetti said:

You don't fight forest fires.   Mostly try to outflank it and contain it.   air tankers just kind of try to draw lines to contain

 

This was here earlier this year.   I thought it remarkable how clearly the drop line stopped the fire, although it looked like it took more than one attempt at containing it.

 

[kpaul]

13 hours ago, Ron McBride said:

Watching these aircraft work is absolutely amazing.  The pilots must have big cajones.    I have seen them drop retardant and climb out of valleys that I would not want to have a Mooney in. 
 

They fly fairly light on fuel so once the slurry has been dropped these planes have an amazing thrust to weight advantage which allows them to operate in mountainous terrain.  Also most runs are made going down hill.  If the King Air lead plane can make the run the DC-10 will have no problems.

[Gagarin]

A Mooney ready to fight the fires

Edited November 3, 2019 by Gagarin

[MooneyMitch]

14 minutes ago, Gagarin said:

A Mooney ready to fight the fires

Please drink plenty of fluids prior to your drop !!

Edited November 3, 2019 by MooneyMitch
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