I ran across an interesting document on the Southwest Coordination Center’s web site in the Aviation section titled BAe-146 Next Generation Airtanker Frequently Asked Questions. It is dated November 13, 2012 and in four and a half pages talks a lot about the BAe-146, but also refers frequently and generally to next generation air tankers. The entire document is HERE. Below is an example of one of the FAQs.
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“Q. Why do you overfly some airtanker bases?
Next Generation Aircraft will have the capability of traveling at 450 plus MPH. This speed advantage will make it possible for an aircraft to fly to another airtanker base that has longer runways and faster fueling services. This will result in delivering the largest load of retardant and, many times, quicker turnaround times for the firefighters on the ground.
We need to view this more as gallons delivered to the ground. Because of the speed of these jet airtankers, distances between airtanker bases and the fire mean very little. The airtanker bases at large airports have longer runways, meaning the airtanker can haul more retardant. Example: T-40 can haul 2850 gallons of retardant from Mesa-Gateway Airtanker Base even though it is very hot there. The field elevation is very low and has a long runways(12,000 feet). T-40 flying from Silver City Airtanker Base can only haul 1900 gallons because the field elevation is close to 6,000 feet and 90 degrees with a 7,000-foot runway. The difference in time delivered may only be 5 minutes.
This information is discussed with either the Lead Plane, Air Attack or Incident Commander before this decision is made. The Pilot in Command will divert based on unsafe conditions of any airtanker base which may include but not be limited to weather.
Air Attack or Lead/ASM should pass this information to the dispatch office. In the event the closest airtanker base is being overflown, the dispatch office shall notify SWCC.”
This FAQ list was created by a 146 operator and not the USFS. Also, this list was not created by Minden Air Corp.
I certainly do not want discredit another operator, because I do not know their circumstances or operations. However, I will tell you that Minden Air’s BAE-146 was designed to be an air tanker by an air tanker company, and as such will have the following traits:
– Minden’s 146 can be loaded without powering up the aircraft
– Minden’s flight crews will be trained to comply with the contract and dispatch within 15 minutes for a VFR flight
– Minden’s 146 aircraft is a gravity-fed constant flow tank which is much less complicated and lighter. This translates to an aircraft that has a significantly lighter empty weight. Also, our performance will give credit for jettison. Both of these characteristics make downloading less likely.
– Certifying the aircraft in the Standard category will not make Minden Aircraft less capable as an air tanker. Though there is a difference in the certification standards between Restricted and Standard, there is no difference in the operational standards between them.
– Minden Air 146’s will not require any ground support from the tanker base or FBOs. The aircraft was chosen and designed to fit seamlessly into the current ATB infrastructure and fly into any Large Airtanker base, including McCall.
From the first concept of the 146 air tanker over 10 years ago, Minden Air’s focus was to make the best air tanker it could. Period. Everything in the design and creation was centered around that goal. It many aspects Minden Air took the hard and long road, but those tuff choices are starting to pay off. We can’t wait to share what this aircraft will be capable of…stay tuned!!!!
Yep
I read this little gem approx. 6 weeks ago
ALOT of basic knowledge for us in the jet and real aviation trenches
Like I have said before……the associated equipment such as GPU’s and related start up equipment, etc etc etc etc
Oh and that checklist stuff? ALL very normal preflight / pre takeoff checklist procedures that take some before one lays the whip to it.
Why do you suppose these pilots in the airlines have simulators? Of course to get their pre takeoff flows down….no different than the cureent crop of LAT’s and SEATs even…….we all have our checklists to go through
The only thing is…..why worry about the BAe146 FAQ’s now since we have virtually chopped of f one the bigger players with BAe 146’s
YEP print out an FAQ and then not award the operators. Best lay an FAQ sheet for the DC10 cuz it is “gonna” take some infrastructure for the operation of that aircraft to understand.
Then an FAQ for Coulson’s C130, Aero’s MD87, etc..
You USFS guys will be busy writing FAQ’s for everything…….jets will be changing everyone’s thoughts and will require folks at the ramps to pick up the pace….it not your fathers P2V, like it used to be.
It will interesting….cuz I was a ramp rat once moving and towing some of this iron around…it will be fun to watch!!
OVERFLOWN! No one likes to be ‘overflown”. Next gen air tankers, down loaded? Vapor paper air tankers. One (DC 10) of seven air new gen. tankers working fires.