![aerial firefighting aerial firefighting](https://moroccolatestnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tetouan_feu-e1658000914230.jpg)
It’s both powerful and environmentally conscious.”
![aerial firefighting aerial firefighting](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/47/4b/10/474b10b8bda280ceb68440b3e708bb65---in-california.jpg)
That translates into both cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint. It also has the benefit of producing 30 per cent fewer emissions while burning significantly less fuel than air tankers of a similar size. That speed translates into a quick initial attack capability with a reduced turnaround time for reloading. It flies at speeds equivalent to a jet tanker to and from the fire. The aircraft is also fast, holding three ‘Time to Climb’ turboprop records. Niemann went on to highlight more of the new air tanker’s exciting capabilities: “Its 2,642 US gallon tank is mounted externally, keeping the cabin and cockpit pressurised, reducing pilot fatigue when flying in hot, challenging conditions.
![aerial firefighting aerial firefighting](https://i1.rgstatic.net/publication/361912111_AIRCRAFT_SELECTION_FOR_AERIAL_FIREFIGHTING_OPERATIONS/links/62cc623300d0b4511049d6fe/smallpreview.png)
It can operate out of shorter runways, giving customers the ability to position a large air tanker closer to remote forested regions where wildfires occur.” We are very excited as it fills a much-needed gap for our customers. “The new air tanker will arrive this spring, joining our fleet of seven Avro RJ85 and four Canadair CL-415 aircraft. told AirMed&Rescue that the biggest news for the aerial firefighting company this year is the welcoming of the new Dash 8-400AT air tanker into its operations. “This latest approval affords Kestrel an operational envelope consistent with day response operations,” he confirmed.Ĭhris Niemann, General Manager of US-based Aero-Flite, Inc. “The initial proof of concept and achievement of an initial operational capability was followed by multiple fire seasons focused on operational effectiveness and the formation of standardized work practices.” Butterworth explained that, at the time of writing, Kestrel is the only operator in Australia with regulatory approval for unrestricted first attack for the protection of life and critical infrastructure at night. “In 2016, Kestrel initiated a development program for a night aerial fire suppression capability utilizing multi-engine rotorcraft with the assistance of night vision technology,” he said. From advances in night aerial firefighting to novel training methods, providers and operators are developing and employing new techniques and the world of aerial firefighting continues to evolve apace.ĪirMed&Rescue magazine spoke with Richard Butterworth, who is Head of Training at Australia-based Kestrel, which has been conducting aerial firefighting since the early 1990s, about the innovations the provider is currently utilising. Although this year there are fewer wildfires than in the past, they are increasing in severity and occurring across the globe and thus the importance of continued innovations in aerial firefighting cannot be understated. Innovations over the years have enabled the practice of aerial firefighting to continually evolve from the briefly used ‘borate bombers’ of the mid-1950s to the extensive variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft used today. Current innovations in airborne firefighting efforts