Aircraft being used in California wildfires

The 747 was used extensively for the fires in Central and Northern California this year, but it is not being used that much in the Southern Ca fires. It has been far too windy much of the time for decent dispersal of the retardant chemical and a great deal of the fires are in narrow canyons and it would be unsafe for her. Even low flying during 60, 70 and 80 mph gusts is not a happy thing either. There are also dozens of other types of planes and choppers including some from the Military (Navy, Marines and AF), that are involved in the firefighting efforts.

Thankfully, she was brought down from McClellan Thursday afternoon to fight the Liberty fire in Murrieta. There were several other planes dropping but when she roared in, man it changed the tide. She made a pass at the fire burning at the bottom of the hills, a pass at the fires on top of the hills and then dropped retardant directly on top of some homes that were located on the ridgeline and saved them and then a pass at ground level over some ranches.

Sadly, one large home was lost and 7 out buildings on three ranches. But that is a far better outcome than has been happening up north.



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A Life Aloft said:
The 747 was used extensively for the fires in Central and Northern California this year, but it is not being used that much in the Southern Ca fires. It has been far too windy much of the time for decent dispersal of the retardant chemical and a great deal of the fires are in narrow canyons and it would be unsafe for her. Even low flying during 60, 70 and 80 mph gusts is not a happy thing either. There are also dozens of other types of planes and choppers including some from the Military (Navy, Marines and AF), that are involved in the firefighting efforts.

Thankfully, she was brought down from McClellan Thursday afternoon to fight the Liberty fire in Murrieta. There were several other planes dropping but when she roared in, man it changed the tide. She made a pass at the fire burning at the bottom of the hills, a pass at the fires on top of the hills and then dropped retardant directly on top of some homes that were located on the ridgeline and saved them and then a pass at ground level over some ranches.

Sadly, one large home was lost and 7 out buildings on three ranches. But that is a far better outcome than has been happening up north.



ldn-l-no747-12082.jpg
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I hope the pilots got to see this video. @Bumblebee , you know those cowboys?
 
A Life Aloft said:
The 747 was used extensively for the fires in Central and Northern California this year, but it is not being used that much in the Southern Ca fires. It has been far too windy much of the time for decent dispersal of the retardant chemical and a great deal of the fires are in narrow canyons and it would be unsafe for her. Even low flying during 60, 70 and 80 mph gusts is not a happy thing either. There are also dozens of other types of planes and choppers including some from the Military (Navy, Marines and AF), that are involved in the firefighting efforts.

Thankfully, she was brought down from McClellan Thursday afternoon to fight the Liberty fire in Murrieta. There were several other planes dropping but when she roared in, man it changed the tide. She made a pass at the fire burning at the bottom of the hills, a pass at the fires on top of the hills and then dropped retardant directly on top of some homes that were located on the ridgeline and saved them and then a pass at ground level over some ranches.

Sadly, one large home was lost and 7 out buildings on three ranches. But that is a far better outcome than has been happening up north.



ldn-l-no747-12082.jpg
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Wasn’t that one of the DC10s in that video?
 
Sure wish Tanker 947 and 979 were still around. 747-100/200, but still effective nonetheless.

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The article states that the DC-10 is the only wide-body airliner is use, but they show video of a 747, and show the gallon capacity, etc.

It also states that it has to be at 800 feet and 140 knots to deliver its load...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bumblebee said:
Yes ;) Winnie and I actually shared information with them as we were both developing our business plans at the same time. I only wish we had been successful in finding the funding as they were.
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The P-3s not coming back? T21 is still sitting here in the storage yard outside DMA, as well as the remains of T20.
 
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