ceo_of_the_sofa
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Fires......
- Thread starter flyingwildfires
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DC4boy
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Kidneyless is doing well. Lot going on down there.
Still no word on start dates, or even carding for that matter.
E's are no better than A's, huh? Whats the new model? Is it H or J?
When I first started, lot of seasoned guy's told me not to even walk under the wing of a herc. Shame cuz it sounds like they were a favorite among airtanker pilots.
We had a cut open section of a 4 wing at training, and man what a wing. The trailing edge spar (one of three) was thicker than most main spars on aircraft i've seen
Slap a couple Garrets on her and you got yourself one hell of an airtanker!!
Still no word on start dates, or even carding for that matter.
E's are no better than A's, huh? Whats the new model? Is it H or J?
When I first started, lot of seasoned guy's told me not to even walk under the wing of a herc. Shame cuz it sounds like they were a favorite among airtanker pilots.
We had a cut open section of a 4 wing at training, and man what a wing. The trailing edge spar (one of three) was thicker than most main spars on aircraft i've seen
Slap a couple Garrets on her and you got yourself one hell of an airtanker!!
USFS was never talking about AH-1's. The Forida Department of Forestry got some over the past few years, and they're working (most sitting). All for longline work.
avbug is not flyingwildfires. I only post under one name, here.
I don't know about putting garrets on the -4; the best upgrade was to go to the super DC-4.
Some serious work was done to make a conversion on the P-2 which would have put Allison T-56's on her. The prototype even went to a glass cockpit. However, lack of funding (and powerplants) stalled the project a long time ago, and there she sits. Personally, I think that's the most promising advent for heavy tankers right now.
The herc was a wonderful airplane to fly, from a tanker trash perspective. It was smooth, quiet, light on the controls, and had ample performance when working in tight, rough terrain. The addition of a third crewmember (FE) was welcome, too.
One DC4 this year had 56 cracks in the spar, on inspection. The upcoming year still appears to be one big question mark.
avbug is not flyingwildfires. I only post under one name, here.
I don't know about putting garrets on the -4; the best upgrade was to go to the super DC-4.
Some serious work was done to make a conversion on the P-2 which would have put Allison T-56's on her. The prototype even went to a glass cockpit. However, lack of funding (and powerplants) stalled the project a long time ago, and there she sits. Personally, I think that's the most promising advent for heavy tankers right now.
The herc was a wonderful airplane to fly, from a tanker trash perspective. It was smooth, quiet, light on the controls, and had ample performance when working in tight, rough terrain. The addition of a third crewmember (FE) was welcome, too.
One DC4 this year had 56 cracks in the spar, on inspection. The upcoming year still appears to be one big question mark.
414Flyer
Down with Chemtrails!
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- Jan 20, 2002
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- 4,948
I did either read about it somewhere possibly but I was told it was seriously being looked at by USFS. The ATGS I flew with mentioned it.
What they were thinking of doing what getting about 20 older AH-1, and putting together a few flyable ones from those airframes, to use as someone of a combination Air attack/lead role.
I think it was mentioned on the air tanker message board too, but then it could just all be rumors too.
What they were thinking of doing what getting about 20 older AH-1, and putting together a few flyable ones from those airframes, to use as someone of a combination Air attack/lead role.
I think it was mentioned on the air tanker message board too, but then it could just all be rumors too.
No helicopter platform will be used as a lead...I don't think that's ever been remotely considered.
USFS doesn't do a combined lead/attack role: that's the ASM job put out by BLM.
The AH-1 would make a good longline platform, but there are also better aircraft. The principle attraction to the cobra is it's acquisition cost for various agencies. The USFS is fielding some 407's presently, which appear to be good aircraft for their role in a helittack use.
The only time helo's are used for an air attack role is more of either fast recon during hellittack duties (prior to setting up an LZ), or on a large complex fire when a heliboss is assigned. In general, however, the helicopters are worked by the same fixed wing air attack.
The issue with using helicopters for an air attack role is primarily one of cost. It's a whole lot cheaper to put a Twin Commander up there than it is to put up an L-3 or 212.
FDF does have some AH-1's, and they are using them.
USFS doesn't do a combined lead/attack role: that's the ASM job put out by BLM.
The AH-1 would make a good longline platform, but there are also better aircraft. The principle attraction to the cobra is it's acquisition cost for various agencies. The USFS is fielding some 407's presently, which appear to be good aircraft for their role in a helittack use.
The only time helo's are used for an air attack role is more of either fast recon during hellittack duties (prior to setting up an LZ), or on a large complex fire when a heliboss is assigned. In general, however, the helicopters are worked by the same fixed wing air attack.
The issue with using helicopters for an air attack role is primarily one of cost. It's a whole lot cheaper to put a Twin Commander up there than it is to put up an L-3 or 212.
FDF does have some AH-1's, and they are using them.
Fire Snake
Milwan,
I think you are wrong. They call it the Firesnake. It will be used in Califorina and will be performing the ASM role. It is happning dude. Leadplanes are going away and the Leadplane pilots are becoming highly skilled Smokejumper captains, if they can meet the high standards.
Milwan,
I think you are wrong. They call it the Firesnake. It will be used in Califorina and will be performing the ASM role. It is happning dude. Leadplanes are going away and the Leadplane pilots are becoming highly skilled Smokejumper captains, if they can meet the high standards.
The cobras were coming aboard the first year we did the fire storms down there, and were in use the next year. I saw them in TLH and at Lake City.
The A-10's are a pet project of a group of A-10 drivers. The impetus behind the A-10's was a covert attempt to sell them to foriegn countries by certain intelligence agencies, couched in a deal a decade ago in which military airplanes were provided to civillain contractors as air tankers.
Presently the group trying to promote the A-10 is a private effort which has nothing at all to do with the origional A-10 effort. The airplane was never seriously considered for fire work. The group trying to promote the airplane presently is called Firehogs. Entertaining, argumentative, zero experience in fire, but very enthusiastic.
The A-10's are a pet project of a group of A-10 drivers. The impetus behind the A-10's was a covert attempt to sell them to foriegn countries by certain intelligence agencies, couched in a deal a decade ago in which military airplanes were provided to civillain contractors as air tankers.
Presently the group trying to promote the A-10 is a private effort which has nothing at all to do with the origional A-10 effort. The airplane was never seriously considered for fire work. The group trying to promote the airplane presently is called Firehogs. Entertaining, argumentative, zero experience in fire, but very enthusiastic.
More on Firesnake
The Firesnake (modified Cobra) will be used by the USFS and crewed by FS pilots. The OV-10's and O-2's used by CDF are Air Attack platforms. I don't think they provide the full mission like the BLM ASM platforms and the FS Leadplanes. They don't have the low level responsibilities that are part of the Lead mission. Maybe Milwan can expand on the subject and clear up this discussion.
The Firesnake (modified Cobra) will be used by the USFS and crewed by FS pilots. The OV-10's and O-2's used by CDF are Air Attack platforms. I don't think they provide the full mission like the BLM ASM platforms and the FS Leadplanes. They don't have the low level responsibilities that are part of the Lead mission. Maybe Milwan can expand on the subject and clear up this discussion.
flyingwildfires
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