DC-10 firefighting OMG
Discussion
J4CKO said:
markmullen said:
Awesome, it's like no one has told them they're in a DC10 and they're driving it like a much smaller more agile aircraft.
Top work.
It is impressive, you dont generally see airliners being flung about like that and I do love a Trijet, I know its all certified and test but it must be pretty seat of the pants, and really these guys are risking their lives in these situations, especially when you consider that its a pretty old plane that has been modified and it didnt exactly have a stellar record for safety when in passenger service, though I would imagine the issues are long sorted.Top work.
Seems they did have a nasty moment, look at incidents.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-10_Air_Tanker
Must be weird having your plane suddenly lose a significant amount of weight in 8 seconds or less.
Fair play to them though, that must take some skill and no small amount of bottle, would love a passenger ride on that, bet it is pretty alarming to those only used to normal passenger flights.
Wikipedia said:
Tanker 910 experienced its first serious aviation incident on June 25, 2007. While on its third run over the White Fire in the Kern County mountains near Tehachapi, California, the aircraft was in a left bank while turning from base to final approach. It encountered severe turbulence, the left wing dropped, and the aircraft descended 100 to 200 feet lower than expected.[15][32] The left wing struck several trees before pilots were able to power out of the descent. The aircraft climbed to altitude for a controllability check and to dump its load of retardant, then returned to its base in Victorville, where it made an emergency landing and was grounded pending an investigation, inspection, and repairs.[15][32][33]
A post-incident investigation revealed that the aircraft had suffered damage to the left wing's leading edge slats, ailerons and flaps.[34] Despite the incident, CAL FIRE stated that they were happy with the aircraft.[35] The aircraft returned to the sky for a test flight after repairs on July 30, 2007
A post-incident investigation revealed that the aircraft had suffered damage to the left wing's leading edge slats, ailerons and flaps.[34] Despite the incident, CAL FIRE stated that they were happy with the aircraft.[35] The aircraft returned to the sky for a test flight after repairs on July 30, 2007
Never seen that before...that's insane! I can just imagine the conversation at the annual forest fire fighting convention after a few beers. "Lads, I have an idea. I know of a DC10 going cheap, and, erm..."
Just seems a really odd choice of aircraft but fair play. I assume the flight deck door is widened so the pilots can get their f
king enormous testicles through it OK.
Just seems a really odd choice of aircraft but fair play. I assume the flight deck door is widened so the pilots can get their f
king enormous testicles through it OK.Eric Mc said:
I'll be impressed when it returns back to base with pine needles stuck in its flaps 
Scotty2 said:
Went down to see it on Saturday at the Oshkosh sea-plane moorings - wasn't aware of the incident when I got there, just noticed the pumps kicking a surprisingly large amount of water over the side.The story I got from the support crew was slightly different to that in the video - they were saying it was a bird strike on the engine that caused them to abort, but by that stage they had already loaded a significant amount of water into the tanks, so when taxiing back to the mooring was sitting lower in the water than normal, which caused it to hit the submerged obstructions.
Cost to convert/operate is a sizeable chunk larger. They have been on trial for yesrs so the customers have quantitative evidence as to what is more effective per $. Larger fleet of smaller, more targetted equipment seems to be favoured. Also got to remember its a seasonal business and these are a bit of a 1-trick pony.
Eric Mc said:
chuntington101 said:
If this DC10 is so effective, why aren't there more converted?
There probably isn't a massive demand for massive fire fighting aircraft. Having a few specialist water bombers of this size is probably sufficient.
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/this-boeing-747-i...
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/this-boeing-747-i...
Have a look at the link above you can do a full walkthrough inside;
The 747 has 20000 gallons in 5000 litre tanks down the inside.
Fascinating.
Have a look at the link above you can do a full walkthrough inside;
The 747 has 20000 gallons in 5000 litre tanks down the inside.
Fascinating.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff