Global Supertanker 944 (747-400) back in action

[bp]

Tanker 944 (The Spirit of John Muir) has been on a Call When Needed contract with CalFire this year, and has been requested to assist with both the Atlas and Tubbs fires in Northern CA wine country.

(Above: The 747 SuperTanker drops on the Palmer Fire south of Calimesa and Yucaipa in southern California, September 2, 2017. Photo by Cy Phenice, used with permission).

A 747 Supertanker will assist firefighters battling a series of fires that erupted overnight Sunday in California’s wine country.

Global Supertanker announced Monday morning it would assist with efforts to battle the Atlas Fire in Napa County, California. The fire broke out about 9:20 p.m. Sunday and quickly burned approximately 5,000 acres, fanned by high winds, CAL FIRE reported.

The #SuperTanker is on its way to fight the #atlasfire. We will provide updates as we get them. #napafire https://t.co/YX1uKqmEiypic.twitter.com/pQzjkO2XmD

— Global SuperTanker (@GlobalSuperTank) October 9, 2017

The Atlas Fire is among a number of blazes that started Sunday night and Monday morning, forcing thousands of residents from their homes and leaving crews scrambling through the night to get a handle on the sheer number of fire starts.

The largest, the Tubbs Fire, scorched in excess of 20,000 acres within just a few hours, Santa Rosa Fire reported. The fast-moving fire forced the evacuation of area hospitals, closed schools and led officials to recall all city employees to help staff the emergency operations center.

Details about damages or injuries were not immediately available by daybreak Monday.

Chilean firefighters pose during Supertanker operations this Jan 2017, before 944 received its interim interagency approval in the United States.

 

[A Life Aloft]

It's about damn time. Cal Fire used her in the Peak/Palmer fire last month and she performed beautifully. Maybe after they saw what she was able to do in Chile earlier this year, they finally got off their butts to issue her at least a temp contract here. (I think it's a year and half) She still doesn't have a contract with the Forestry Service though, and they won't recognize the agreement with Cal Fire which is really a shame. She can only be used here and one county in Colorado.

 

[bp]

They kicked butt on the Palmer fire, with some great photos and video to boot

Here's another one of some water drops down in Chile

 

[Adler]

For something like that, do they hire experienced 74 guys, or experienced tanker guys?

 

[bp]

For something like that, do they hire experienced 74 guys, or experienced tanker guys?

That's a good question, but I'd assume they'd find 74 guys merely for insurance purposes. The VLATs (74 and DC10) and MAFFS (hercs, RJ85s, BAE146s) aren't initial attack so they require a lead plane

but then again, most 74 guys prob enjoy wandering around in their pajamas looking for the coffee maker more than flying.. @Screaming_Emu

 

[A Life Aloft]

For something like that, do they hire experienced 74 guys, or experienced tanker guys?

Her current Captain Tom Parsons, (who was her F/O) has a background in flying fire fighting tankers and used to fly for Neptune Aviation. The CP, Chris Hale also has experience as a tanker pilot. He actually invented the tank system for the plane and he flew firefighting planes in the US and abroad. Captain Bob Soelberg who manages the program is a 747 pilot and sim instructor and he worked at Evergreen.

 

[BEEF SUPREME]

I live less than an hour from Santa Rosa. What is happening now is unprecedented. I feel it must be an arsonist at work but who knows. My eyes are burning the air quality is so bad

 

[NickH]

It's about damn time. Cal Fire used her in the Peak/Palmer fire last month and she performed beautifully. Maybe after they saw what she was able to do in Chile earlier this year, they finally got off their butts to issue her at least a temp contract here. I think it's a year and half) She still doesn't have a contract with the Forestry Service though, and they won't recognize the agreement with Cal Fire which is really a shame. She can only be used here and one county in Colorado.

Any time you are talking to a pilot involved with firefighting, don't mention the Forestry Service. They have opinions.

 

[bp]

Her current Captain Tom Parsons, (who was her F/O) has a background in flying fire fighting tankers and used to fly for Neptune Aviation. The CP, Chris Hale also has experience as a tanker pilot. He actually invented the tank system for the plane and he flew firefighting planes in the US and abroad.

Did Chris come from Evergreen? Pretty awesome Tom moved to a 747 from a p2v/146.

 

[A Life Aloft]

Any time you are talking to a pilot involved with firefighting, don't mention the Forestry Service. They have opinions.

I don't blame them. The Forestry Service are bureaucratic idiots with a thousand moronic and ridiculous hurdles to jump over.

 

[A Life Aloft]

Did Chris come from Evergreen? Pretty awesome Tom moved to a 747 from a p2v/146.

Yeppers, Chris also came from Evergreen.

 

[NickH]

I don't blame them. The Forestry Service are bureaucratic idiots with a thousand moronic and ridiculous hurdles to jump over.

You are way too polite...

 

[v1valarob]

I know its probably hard to put in numbers, but how helpful are these aircraft? Do the fires really stop at the line drawn by the aircraft?

What exactly are they laying down?

 

[A Life Aloft]

I know its probably hard to put in numbers, but how helpful are these aircraft? Do the fires really stop at the line drawn by the aircraft?
What exactly are they laying down?

In the case of the 744, she has two separate, but identical constant flow systems are pressurized which allows for either continuous discharge or up to 8 segmented drops. The system is approved for retardant, gel, foam and water drops (which is what the other firefighting planes and choppers also use) or the combination of any two of these agents and ground servicing for another sortie takes approximately 30-35 minutes.

The choppers and planes provide support to the ground crews. When a large plane dumps a cloud of retardant at the site of a forest fire, it helps build a fireline. Also, when a helicopter or a small scooper plane dumps water directly onto a fire, it is doing so to tamp things down before firefighters on the ground can arrive to encircle the area with firebreaks. These planes and choppers often fly over very rugged terrain, mountains, canyons, etc, where it may not be safe for firefighters on the ground or when it may take crews too long to arrive on scene. The choppers and planes have the advantage/benefit of speed, access and observation.

Right now as I type this, the DC-10 and some smaller planes are dropping retardant in a complete circle around the canyon fire to try and halt it's progress. Yesterday, many homes were saved by the choppers and planes and the progress of the fire was stopped in some areas, backed up by the ground crews. They can also reduce the intensity of a fire allowing ground crews to get closer to the fire and fight it more effectively. Also, in the case of the airplane scoopers and the choppers, they can fill up their tanks from most lakes, reservoirs, the ocean, and for helicopters, also swimming pools. This allows them very quick turn arounds.

This is from the American Helicopter Services & Aerial Firefighting Association:

Aerial Firefighting Tactics and Management
Aerial firefighting is usually conducted to assist firefighters on the ground in achieving fire suppression objectives. Water and foam are best used in the direct attack of the fire perimeter and on troublesome “hot spots”. For water and foam to be effective, ground firefighters must be in close proximity to the drops. Long-term fire retardant is used for the direct attack as well as for indirect attack wherein airtankers lay a continuous line of retardant parallel to the edge (flank) of the fire. Retardant dropped on the head of an intense wildfire is rarely effective. The most effective means of controlling wildland fires in the preponderance of direct and indirect attack missions is the application of long-term retardant.

The most effective use of aerial firefighting is during the initial attack of small wildfires, and to accomplish specific tactical suppression objectives on large wildfires, such as reinforcing fireline and dropping on slop-overs and spot fires outside the fireline.

The management of aerial firefighting aircraft over a wildfire incident varies with the complexity of the situation. Most airtanker captains are approved to use their own judgment in making retardant drops during initial attack. As the aerial firefighting situation becomes more complex on a larger wildfire and numerous aircraft become involved, or urban interface protection becomes necessary, airborne wildland fire management agency personnel flying in Air Attack Aircraft coordinate and direct the aerial firefighting operation to ensure both safety and firefighting effectiveness. Agency aircraft called Leadplanes often “lead” airtankers on their drop runs."

There are some details of the crews, methods and aircraft involved on their home page. http://www.ahsafa.org/?page_id=52

 

[MikeD]

It's too bad that Tankers 947 and 979 got scrapped.

 

[amorris311]

It's too bad that Tankers 947 and 979 got scrapped.

True but those were some old planes. With the large amount of retired -400's hitting the desert it would be nice to see 1 or 2 get converted. As Gerry said in another thread the spread of fires throughout the state have depleted or severely reduced the amount of firefighters available to properly attack these fires. Having that additional air power would be a welcomed sight for many who have had their lives flipped in a matter of hours.

 

[MikeD]

True but those were some old planes. With the large amount of retired -400's hitting the desert it would be nice to see 1 or 2 get converted. As Gerry said in another thread the spread of fires throughout the state have depleted or severely reduced the amount of firefighters available to properly attack these fires. Having that additional air power would be a welcomed sight for many who have had their lives flipped in a matter of hours.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe much of 979s innards with regards to the tanking system and such, were transplanted to 944 here when she was converted, and before 979 was scrapped about a month or so ago. Good to see her being used.

 

[amorris311]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe much of 979s innards with regards to the tanking system and such, were transplanted to 944 here when she was converted, and before 979 was scrapped about a month or so ago. Good to see her being used.

I have no idea, seems like that makes sense though. Clearly the newer -400 is earning its place. At a time like this it would be nice to see 1 or 2 other planes of that size and power to help battle the blazes in CA.

 

[MikeD]

I have no idea, seems like that makes sense though. Clearly the newer -400 is earning its place. At a time like this it would be nice to see 1 or 2 other planes of that size and power to help battle the blazes in CA.

Agreed. I would think it would be easier to do now, with most of the initial design test and eval stuff with regards to 747s as a tanker, having been already completed by Evergreen when they converted 947 and 979. Would be great to see a few more converted. If I remember with 979, it was a 24,000 gal tanker +/-, compared to 12,000 gal for the DC-10. But just more expensive to operate with regards to contract compared to the -10. I believe 944 is similar in capacity to what 979 was. An awesome capability.

 

[amorris311]

Agreed. I would think it would be easier to do now, with most of the initial design test and eval stuff with regards to 747s as a tanker, having been already completed by Evergreen when they converted 947 and 979. Would be great to see a few more converted. If I remember with 979, it was a 24,000 gal tanker +/-, compared to 12,000 gal for the DC-10. I believe 944 is similar in capacity.

The sad/realistic issue is cost. What does it cost to operate 944? Is that something that is negotiated every year/season with state fire authorities? I don't know enough about their operation and cost. I remember back in '08 the fires in the pass between Nogales and Sierra Vista they had 5 of the single seaters and a Barron in and out of OLS. Talking to the guy who was running the show the number was astronomical to keep those planes in the air doing continuous drops. Granted there isn't much in terms of houses or major developments like the current fires in CA.