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CAL FIRE Reactivates Firefighting Air Tanker Fleet
SACRAMENTO (CBSLA.com/AP) — California officials have reactivated the state’s 22 firefighting air tankers days after one of the aircraft crashed in Yosemite National Park, killing the pilot. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Janet Upton said Friday the department lifted the safety stand-down for the twin-engine S-2T airplanes after federal investigators approved letting the planes fly. (losangeles.cbslocal.com) Mehr...
The S2-T is a turboprop version of the old Grumman Tracker. If these are re-engined, I would assume their firefighting capability would be in the old torpedo bay. Canada after the loss of their carrier filled the bay with a fuel tank and used it for Maritime Patrol.
The old engines were very powerful and responsive; the airframe was tough. One of our pilots took out a row of pine trees on approach to Torbay, Newfoundland, did not recycle his gear and went around for a mostly normal landing except for the Christmas decorations on his gear.
The old engines were very powerful and responsive; the airframe was tough. One of our pilots took out a row of pine trees on approach to Torbay, Newfoundland, did not recycle his gear and went around for a mostly normal landing except for the Christmas decorations on his gear.
Slightly dated info on California's Firefighting Air Resources from CalFire
http://calfire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_air_program.php
http://calfire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_air_program.php
The S2T can carry 1200 gallons of retardant..but most loads are 1000-1100 max..and they also load "combat loads" which i believe are held to 800 for faster turn around time.i believe the fella talkin about a plane at Victorville is the Evergreen 747,last pic i saw of it ,it was engineless and pretty bad looking...Ten Carrier now has 3 DC-10 on contract with CalFire,910-910 and 912..and their website says they will top out at 8-10 tankers eventually.
http://eclecticarcania.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-death-of-tanker-81.html