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Home of Associated Aerial Firefighters, offering reference material and articles, current events, announcements, and message board.  Check out airtanker videos on YouTube at AAFAirtankerVideos. No need to register to explore our site, but only current members can post; join up at About AAF.

Associated Aerial Firefighters has established an award for leadership, dedication and having a profound effect on safety in Aerial Firefighting. Named for Walt Darran, a pioneer and leader in advancing aerial firefighting, The Walt Darran Award provides a lifetime membership to Associated Aerial Firefighters.

If you have questions, please call Dave Wardall 209-274-9160 or E-mail: davidwardall@gmail.com

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Forum, News, Articles

Aerial Firefighting Conference Europe

April 3, 2013 By 1 Comment

  This time next week the European Aerial Firefighting Conference will be underway in Aix en Provence in southern France.  Tangent Link the conference organizers have advised me there are over  23 countries represented with over 250 … [Continue reading]

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As I See It by Tony Morris: 10 Tanker Air Carrier

April 3, 2013 By 1 Comment

When the RAND Corporation began research for the Forest Service’s future requirements for firefighting aircraft there were two types of aircraft not included in the study – Very Large Air Tankers [VLATS] and Single Engine Air Tankers  [SEATs] With … [Continue reading]

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Downstown Aero, Vineland NJ—oldest surviving airtanker operator

April 1, 2013 By 1 Comment

3/31/13:  Just completed our first Ag-Cat turbine conversion 2 weeks ago with a PT6-28, 400 gallon hopper, 120 gal fuel, full glass cockpit (mvp). It’s an awesome airplane, can’t wait to convert 2 more. Downstown Aero Crop Service,Inc The … [Continue reading]

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Legacy Airtanker Contract Awards

March 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Legacy airtanker contract awards: Neptune: Six P2v One BAe146-200 Minden: One P2V Total of eight, less than 2012: wonder what happened to the other P2Vs and BAe146s? No word on NextGen contract awards, or use of Canadian CV580s. For … [Continue reading]

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Shape Up or Don’t Fly

March 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Ask not for whom the bells toll-----nothing personal, just something to think about.   Shape Up or Don’t Fly, Air India Tells Cabin Crew Over 40 By PAMPOSH RAINA NEW DELHI — Air India is cracking down on its cabin crew over the age of 40, … [Continue reading]

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State Aircraft Fleet for Colorado, David Cant

March 22, 2013 By 4 Comments

As a long time observer of the air tanker situation in the US from here in Australia, I am often surprised why some US States don't build in a capacity for aerial fire fighting outside of Federal lands jurisdictions. I noted with interest Colorado … [Continue reading]

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The Fed Side, part II

March 22, 2013 By 1 Comment

We found work in Billings in June. The place to stay is The Crown Plaza. They give you a smokin’ deal on rooms if you work for the Forest Service. It’s a high rise, twenty-two floors. Last year a guy threw a chair through the window of his tenth … [Continue reading]

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As I See It by Tony Morris; the Beriev Be-200

March 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

  By Tony Morris Founder & Communications Director Wildfire Research Network (WRN)   The Beriev Be-200   There is a de facto crisis in U.S. Aerial Firefighting . The need to implement solutions to the … [Continue reading]

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A story to think about on your next load ………….

March 17, 2013 By 2 Comments

I wrote this several years ago in hopes that it might prevent "going in with a load" syndrome.  It has happened way too many times over the years.  Walt and I have tried to figure out what part of the training is preventing crews from not "tossing … [Continue reading]

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Flying in Formation; a National Approach to Aerial Firefighting in Australia

March 14, 2013 By 1 Comment

NOTE: Submitted by David Cant, our first AAF International (Voting) Member.  Welcome, mate! This paper gives a better understanding of the constitutional arrangements in Australia with respect to aerial firefighting. I prepared this to challenge … [Continue reading]

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