747 Water Tanker

[ardypilot]

Is this the solution to the Australian bush fires: http://www.aviationexplorer.com/747_water_tanker.htm

[Craig]

Ok, a few things about it.

1. You couldnt throw it round like a chopper or small twin prop
2. It would have to fly from an airport that could handle a jumbo
3. A jumbo low-level = scary.
4. Choppers and other bombers would have to clear the area due to wake turb

[Charl]

You always read about accidents involving firefighting aircraft.
I don't know if they go down low because they have to, for efficient water use.
But I'd hate to take that baby below maybe 1,000ft did you see it going unstable as the cg changed?

[Zöltuger]

at least it's probably going to pitch up when you release the weight.

speaking of low flying jumbos, i saw an ANZ 744 gunning it over downtown auckland this afternoon- flying low and fast, an amazing sight, no doubt showing the passengers the beautiful summer day over the harbour

[ardypilot]

Good point Craig- I wonder where this Eva Air one is used then?

speaking of low flying jumbos, i saw an ANZ 744 gunning it over downtown auckland this afternoon- flying low and fast, an amazing sight, no doubt showing the passengers the beautiful summer day over the harbour

Are they allowed to do that? (Calls Towerguy) The only other time I have seen a low jet over the Waitama was when Geoff Cooper bought ANZ's first B777 over from Seattle.

How high do you reckon it was Zolt? I wish I had seen it too!

[Zöltuger]

it was lower than they normally venture. not like 'special flypast' low. more like 3000ft maybe? at least it seemed that low

[creator2003]

from the look of that id hate to have to line that up each time for more water thats not economce the amont of gas four crew etc... to bomb that much water well you mite as well send a chopper in "thank GOD for the Helicopter "
oh ps the last time i see any big plane over ak was about 700ft to 1500 it was about the same height as stanley point towers on the devonport shore ,i think that was the same 777 or something ,i really felt that 911 effect because i didnt know it was coming through...

[Jimmy]

So whats that, a 742.

In comparason to any heli how much water does this carry?

With such a weight they would be at least 220knts (flaps extended?) so the water would be spread over quite a large area witch would be a good point but then again it might not drop enough on one spot to be effective.... How heavy would it be anyway...

Looks prety funny that video thow!

James

[ZK-Brock]

I'm a bit skeptical to this aircraft, mainly for the reasons craig outlines above. Due to the size and the turning radius of the 747, it'd only be able to make a pass over the fire every 15 minutes or so!

[mailman]

Good point Craig- I wonder where this Eva Air one is used then?

speaking of low flying jumbos, i saw an ANZ 744 gunning it over downtown auckland this afternoon- flying low and fast, an amazing sight, no doubt showing the passengers the beautiful summer day over the harbour

Are they allowed to do that? (Calls Towerguy) The only other time I have seen a low jet over the Waitama was when Geoff Cooper bought ANZ's first B777 over from Seattle.

How high do you reckon it was Zolt? I wish I had seen it too!

There was a retiring United Airlines captain that was allowed to do a low level run past Auckland city a few years ago (well at least I think he was from United but he had been flying for them for about 200 years, hence why he was permitted to do the fly by).

Mailman

[ronindanbo]

I have 12 years as a bush fire fighter (7 as senior officer) and all the bumpff I read about it is you dont use the buggers if the fire can spread because the backwash can throw embers up to 8 kilometers away.

[deaneb]

More info can be found here - FAQ's included.
Evergreen 747 tanker

deane

[FlyingKiwi]

They used at least one IL-76 tanker in the US last year and apparently they were very effective, so I imagine the 747 would be even moreso.

[towerguy]

yeah the b744 would have been at least 3000ft or above over the harbour

and yes I know all about the B744 flyby by united - I was the tower controller on here at the time - man I wish I had had a camera - best heavy flyby I have ever seen. will tell full story over beers at some stage ( ie NOT online )

[ardypilot]

Thanks for the Evergreen link Deane!

I was told the other day that it is the down draft created by the falling mass of water that puts out the flames, and the liquid just soaks the ground/trees to make it damp and prevent it from re-lighting. Interesting eh?

[Alex]

I was told the other day that it is the down draft created by the falling mass of water that puts out the flames...

So, higher pressure (i.e more oxygen) and wind puts fire out? Whaddya know...

Alex

[squirrel350]

I have just been watching a program on History Channel called BoneYard it covered all sorts of ships/aircraft/rockets being dismantled or re-constructed it was intersting when they covered the Army/Air Force/Navy ect ect was good but then came the civil airliners being modified into all maner of new configs and it showed the B747-400 being used as a water tanker the guys flying made it look easy if any of you have a chance to catch it do watch it because it is really good its about 2 hours long.

heres a link I found to the airbase where they do the millitary aircraft work its called AMARC.
http://www.amarcexperience.com/Default.asp

And Evergreen Air that builds the B747 Water Tanker
http://www.evergreenaviation.com/