inkjunkie
Well-Known Member
Had the first fire near us that aircraft were used to fight it. Wondering if anyone on here flies one, or perhaps knows someone that does. Really wondering what it feels like when the pilot hits the water...
The drought up here in the PNW is not like CA, it's more a "this year" thing, so most the lakes, etc are low but not a season--after-season deal..............YET!!!With all the lakes and reservoirs being down on water, I’m having a hard time believing any planes would be used. But if so, my hats off to the pilots!
The aircraft in the air now fighting fires needs to be doubled and the US could do it if the will was there.
Around here with small lakes it seems to me we need a lot of water based aircraft. This allows quick turn around especially with small country airports that might not have tremendous access to high volume water supplies. On the other had I read that such planes as the old PBY were actually less efficient for water delivery, than the smaller "air boss" aircraft, so WTF I know
I would assume you heard someone say “air boss” aircraft and thought it was a water or retardant dropping aircraft. .
MD500’s are badass
Imagine going balls out dawn to dusk for 21 days straight.
One of the planes the other day was a CL215, the other 2 looked like the Grumann S2T. Thank You for everything you do.I was 34 when I got into the job. I was in the military, ran with the Special Ops types, came back from Iraq and didn’t quite fit back into society. I had always wanted to be a firefighter so I started taking Fire Science courses and got my EMT license. Did some ride alongs with a couple of big city departments and realized how public the job is and decided to go into Wildland Firefighting. At 41 I am just behind the fastest young guys on the runs and hikes but I can still work all day and night for a 15-21 day assignment. It just comes down to being smart and not getting injured and keeping on top of your physical fitness. Eat right and don’t drink View attachment 1715769688
Helispot at 11,000 ft. Flying in supplies and people. Had to do a Medevac on this fire. View attachment 1715769689
Type 1 Helitanker (Sky Crane) making a drop. These things are absolutely massive.
View attachment 1715769690
This is a Delta 160th SOAR (Special Operation Air Regiment?) Apache. We did a lot of interoperability training with these guys at Fort Campbell, KY.