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Mars water bomber tested by NASA
Port Alberni-based aircraft deemed safe to fight wildfires in California
By Sandra Mcculloch, Times ColonistMay 25, 2009
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A second Martin Mars aircraft, Philippine Mars, will stay ashore for now.
The launch is in preparation for a six-month contract with the U.S. Forest Service, which begins June 15, to fight wildfires in southern California.
The NASA team has been working with waterbomber owner Wayne Coulson and his staff for about eight months, and the recent tests for metal-fatigue were another step in the process, said Coulson last week.
"It's kind of cool," Coulson said. "All these guys worked on the space shuttle. There's nothing that's more intense or goes through more abuse than that aircraft -- they know all about metals and fatigue."
The waterbomber was built as a troop carrier in the Second World War but it's in excellent condition thanks to impeccable maintenance, Coulson said.
The test results prove the Hawaii Mars is a safe aircraft to operate, but there are still many hazards associated with fighting wildfires in mountainous terrain.
"We're making sure we have a good program for checking the critical parts of the program when we're in bombing mode," said Coulson.
The U.S. Forest Service began ordering the tests following the June 17, 2002, crash of a C-130A tanker near Walker, Calif.
As the aircraft was about to drop a load of retardant on the blaze, its wings folded upward and left the fuselage.
A video is available for view on YouTube.
The crew perished and the entire fleet of 33 tankers was grounded for inspection. Only about half passed the tests and returned to service.
The maintenance records of the Hawaii Mars are scrupulously maintained, said Coulson.
The aircraft also has sensors in the wings that track gravitational force on the wing spars, a critical point of the aircraft. Coulson said the fact the aircraft passed the tests confirmed it's well-built and maintained. The examination by NASA engineers "is a bit of an insurance policy for our flight crew and ourselves to try to get the airplane to the highest standards of technology we know to ensure the people are safe. "We will be the most advanced air tanker in the industry."
The Hawaii Mars will fly south on June 8 or 9 and will begin its stint with the forest service June 15.
smcculloch@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Port Alberni-based aircraft deemed safe to fight wildfires in California
By Sandra Mcculloch, Times ColonistMay 25, 2009
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A second Martin Mars aircraft, Philippine Mars, will stay ashore for now.
The launch is in preparation for a six-month contract with the U.S. Forest Service, which begins June 15, to fight wildfires in southern California.
The NASA team has been working with waterbomber owner Wayne Coulson and his staff for about eight months, and the recent tests for metal-fatigue were another step in the process, said Coulson last week.
"It's kind of cool," Coulson said. "All these guys worked on the space shuttle. There's nothing that's more intense or goes through more abuse than that aircraft -- they know all about metals and fatigue."
The waterbomber was built as a troop carrier in the Second World War but it's in excellent condition thanks to impeccable maintenance, Coulson said.
The test results prove the Hawaii Mars is a safe aircraft to operate, but there are still many hazards associated with fighting wildfires in mountainous terrain.
"We're making sure we have a good program for checking the critical parts of the program when we're in bombing mode," said Coulson.
The U.S. Forest Service began ordering the tests following the June 17, 2002, crash of a C-130A tanker near Walker, Calif.
As the aircraft was about to drop a load of retardant on the blaze, its wings folded upward and left the fuselage.
A video is available for view on YouTube.
The crew perished and the entire fleet of 33 tankers was grounded for inspection. Only about half passed the tests and returned to service.
The maintenance records of the Hawaii Mars are scrupulously maintained, said Coulson.
The aircraft also has sensors in the wings that track gravitational force on the wing spars, a critical point of the aircraft. Coulson said the fact the aircraft passed the tests confirmed it's well-built and maintained. The examination by NASA engineers "is a bit of an insurance policy for our flight crew and ourselves to try to get the airplane to the highest standards of technology we know to ensure the people are safe. "We will be the most advanced air tanker in the industry."
The Hawaii Mars will fly south on June 8 or 9 and will begin its stint with the forest service June 15.
smcculloch@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
