Global Supertanker 944 (747-400) back in action

[MikeD]

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.

The costs are pretty high for 944 from what i understand, but that's expected. I believe it has to do a season or two as Call When Needed, before it can get an Exclusive Use contract. And even then, you can only fight fires on land that you're authorized to. For now, that's California for 944, state land; the USFS still hasn't authorized it's use on their lands. Stupid, I know. But there's bureaucracy.

 

[bp]

The costs are pretty high for 944 from what i understand, but that's expected. I believe it has to do a season or two as Call When Needed, before it can get an Exclusive Use contract. And even then, you can only fight fires on land that you're authorized to. For now, that's California for 944, state land; the USFS still hasn't authorized it's use on their lands. Stupid, I know. But there's bureaucracy.

I think the same thing happened with the DC10s when they first came out. I read somewhere that CalFire contracted them first, and only after they were proven in California did the USFS card them

 

[Nark]

Has anyone, anywhere ever said, "Thanks to the bureaucracy, it made the process easier..."

 

[trafficinsight]

Has anyone, anywhere ever said, "Thanks to the bureaucracy, it made the process easier..."

Getting a new social security card was quick and easy.


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Adler]

Sort of related, why does the md80 firebomber always drop with the gear downs?

 

[bp]

Sort of related, why does the md80 firebomber always drop with the gear downs?

http://fireaviation.com/2017/09/16/...87s-to-drop-retardant-with-landing-gear-down/

tl;dr: STC

 

[fiveninerzero]

If this reporter is right, it costs $16,500 per hour, with a 10 hour minimum. It evidently can carry 19,500 gallons.

http://www.sbsun.com/2017/09/02/cal...ircraft-is-pricey-but-worth-it-officials-say/

 

[fholbert]

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?

The red stuff is called Foscheck or Phos-Chek. It stops fire very well however winds will sometimes blow embers beyond the Foscheck lines starting new fires. Foscheck is placed in front of the fire coating the foliage with a fire retardant. It's not placed on the fire.

After the fire is out the red Foscheck lines can be seen for weeks, often the fire has been stopped dead at those red lines.

Picture of house surrounded by Foscheck ahead of the fire.