6 days Ago By Aaron Bailey
Aerial firefighting is a dedicated profession in which aircraft support ground crews. Various types of aircraft or helicopters are used to combat wildfires. These aircraft are built with multiple functions that can support various specialties to support ground crews below.
Success in the aerial firefighting industry depends on the aircraft's capabilities, the scale of the emergency, and the team's expertise. Without incredibly skilled personnel, many lives can be lost and homes destroyed. Natures recycling While several wildfires can be expected to hit the media in a negative light, some are started naturally and are not caused by human interference.
Nature has a way of recycling its nutrients and starting new growth. When a fire has passed through bushland, the macronutrients in soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, can become more available, supporting growth and beginning a natural cycle. Hickory and sequoia plants are fire-activated and rely on fire for reproduction.
Have you heard the Simple Flying podcast recently? Aerial firefighting can be called waterbombing , where aircraft and other resources are used to fight fires by some processes. These can include Smokejumpers, who can parachute from a range of aircraft to attack the fire close up. Other methods include chemicals, water, and foams formulated as fire retardants.
A look at Top US Aerial Firefighting companies In the US, the mainstream media uses various aerial firefighting terminology. The term air tanker refers to sizeable fixed-wing aircraft. Another term is a waterbomber; however, this can have some connotations of amphibious aircraft.
Helicopters can also be widely used, fixed with tanks or buckets. These helicopters can be outfitted with foam cannons; otherwise, the aircraft will look to submerge buckets in nearby lakes or reservoirs or by man-made truck-mounted systems. Currently, the world's largest firefighting helicopter, the Mil Mi-26 , uses a Bambi bucket, which has a release valve on the bottom that the helicopter crew controls.
While this list is not exhaustive, let's have a look at several US aerial firefighting companies and the equipment they use to combat fires: Coulson Aviation Perhaps one of the most familiar is Coulson Aviation , a large organization that operates fixed-wing and helicopters. Its equipment is deployed worldwide to fight fires, and due to its fleet size, it can aid multiple areas simultaneously. Coulson Aviation is classed as a world leader in innovation and has a fleet that includes: Fixed-wing aircraft Hercules C-130s Boeing 737 FireLiner Helitankers Sikorsky S-61 Boeing Chinook CH-47 Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 No, it's not a new Boeing aircraft.
.. Dauntless Air They are equipped with the United States' leading number of AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft.
These air tankers are purpose-built to provide cost-effective firefighting. Dauntless Air has a 22 amphibious 'Fire Bosses' fleet equipped with the latest firefighting technology. Using thermal imaging, the aircraft can identify hotspots and use onboard gel mixing systems to improve their drop effectiveness.
The organization's technological advancements have shown an ongoing commitment to innovation in the sector. The Air Tractor AT-802F is a single-engine, fixed-wing scooper that can consistently provide continuous scoops for 2.5 hours without returning for fuel.
Understand how the aircraft works from the video below: Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here . Neptune Aviation Services Based in Missoula, Minnesota, Neptune Aviation Services has been operating for over 30 years and has a team of trained aviators and aircraft ready to attack a wide range of wildfires. With a fleet of BAe 146 and Aero Commander 690A, both have a fantastic safety rating and can provide effective performance in various terrains.
The Aero Commander, 690A, is the 'eyes in the sky' regarding wildland fires. These aircraft assist ground firefighters by providing real-time information about wildfire behavior. In comparison, the BAe146 is equipped ideally for aerial firefighting and can complete slow flight passover and high cruising speed.
Its maneuverability means it can deliver operational safety and field performance. The aircraft can be loaded with around 3,000 gallons of fire retardant as quickly as eight minutes before being back in the air. Neptune Aviation is also home to its own Flight School, Northstar Jet.
The school equips the next generation of pilots and offers programs that include single rating certificates, private instruments, and commercial and chief flight instructors. Expenses are often the biggest obstacle when considering the profession. Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .
Erikson Erikson is a world leader in manufacturing S-64 Air Cranes. These helitankers are equipped with custom fire impression systems fixed to 2,650-gallon water tanks, which can, at their peak, drop more than 25,000 gallons of water an hour. The aircraft are engineered with a Sea Snorkel, which uses a ram scoop to refill the tanks from fresh or salt water sources in just over 30 seconds.
The Hover Snorkel is a hydraulic pump that can extract water from sources as shallow as 18 inches. Once the fire is out, the helitanker can also aid with rehabilitation, delivering hydro seeds to jump-start revegetation. Through its subsidiary, Helicopter Express, the company's diverse fleet includes aircraft that can be used in fire suppression and rescue efforts.
Specialist helicopters include: Kaman K-Max K-1200 A precision aircraft tailored for heavy lifting of up to 6,000 lbs. Sikorsky S-64E & S-64F Skycranes 'Titans' of the firefighting fleet. These Skycranes can have a maximum lift of 25,000 lbs.
Airbus AS-350 B3 These versatile aircraft can be used in high-altitude environments and are commonly used in search and rescue operations. The maximum load is 2,500 lbs. Bell 250A-1++ In frontline firefighting, these helicopters have a maximum external load of 4,000 lbs.
Fighting emergencies from the air..
