The American Helicopter Services And Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) is extremely concerned about a shortage of fixed wing slurry bombers for the upcoming fire season and has cited the US Forest Service (USFS) for prolonged lack of action … [Read more...]
Forest Service Inaction Continues To Delay Airtanker Fleet Modernization
February 28, 2013 By 1 Comment
MAFFS availability may be curtailed with sequestration
February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Air Force Times reported today that sequestration may seriously curtail C130J availability for aerial wildfire suppression operations: "Because Air Mobility Command would still be required to transport government officials, support troops in … [Read more...]
The Fed Side
February 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Dean Talley reporting; Fire season 2012 Lounging around Redding brings back memories. The faces I recognize have more wrinkles and the hair is thinner and gray. But that could be the mirror. Compared to the first twenty-eight years flying … [Read more...]
KEC in OZ with Elvis
February 17, 2013 By 1 Comment
Kenny Chapman has come a far bit since pumping gas for Jim Venable at Hemet Vally Flying Service in the late 60's. Here is a good article about Ken and Pete Bradley with Gypsy Lady in Ballarat: US aircrane pilot Kenny helping Ballarat's … [Read more...]
Seaplaneforum.com dedicates section to Associated Aerial Firefighters
February 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Rand Corporation report recommended a huge increase in USFS utililization of scooper aircraft. While that may not happen (in my lifetime, at least), many are of the opinion that the USA is definitely underutilizing scooper/skimmer aerial … [Read more...]
Airtanker Angst
February 9, 2013 By 2 Comments
Aviation Week & Space Technology has presented an excellent summary of The State of The Airtanker Industry (a Word version of the AW&ST article can be seen at https://airtanker.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Airtanker-Angst.docx). What … [Read more...]
Rich Stowell “Preventing Loss Of Control In Flight” Webinar
February 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A majority of aerial fire suppression fatalities occur because of LOCIF (Loss of control in flight) or CFIT (controlled flight into terrain). Rich Stowell, a recognized SME, recently produced a Webinar on the subject. Because of the tremendous … [Read more...]
Sen. Mark Udall seeks to speed acquisition of airtankers
February 3, 2013 By 1 Comment
In a Denver Post article dated 29 January 2013, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, says delays in upgrading the U.S. Forest Service fleet of firefighting aircraft are unacceptable. In a letter released Monday, Udall tells Agriculture Secretary … [Read more...]
