![]() The N3Ns and Stearmans were World War II biplanes used for pilot training and converted for use as agricultural spray planes. That year contracts were let for three Naval Aircraft Factory N3N Canary, four Stearman and four TBM Avenger air tankers. Thus, in 1958 CAL FIRE first contracted for air tanker services with private aviation companies. Also during this period, several enterprising aviation companies had been converting World War II Grumman TBM Avengers for air tanker use. These were primarily spray airplanes converted for use as firefighters. During the four fire seasons from 1954 to 1957, CAL FIRE used several small airtankers on a call-when-needed basis. In 1953, the Nolta brothers of Willows, California proposed using their agriculture spray planes for fighting brush and grass fires. The possibility of using aircraft for fighting wildland fires in California was first proposed in 1931 and again in the late 1940s after World War II. History Tanker 910 during a drop demonstration in December 2006 Air Tankers ![]() LSI provides procurement and parts management services. All CAL FIRE helicopters are flown by CAL FIRE pilots. DynCorp provides airtanker and airtactical aircraft pilot services, and all aircraft maintenance services. A total of 18 CAL FIRE personnel oversee the program with an additional 130 contract employees providing mechanical, pilot and management services.ĬAL FIRE's current support contractors are DynCorp and Logistics Specialties Incorporated (LSI). The average annual budget of the CAL FIRE Aviation Management Program is nearly $20 million. While both air tankers and helicopters are equipped to carry fire retardant or water, the helicopters can also transport firefighters, equipment and injured personnel. The retardant used to slow or retard the spread of a fire is a slurry mix consisting of a chemical salt compound, water, clay or a gum-thickening agent, and a coloring agent. The airtactical planes fly overhead at a fire, directing the airtankers and helicopters to critical areas of the fire for retardant and water drops. During high fire activity, CAL FIRE may move aircraft to better provide statewide air support. These aircraft are stationed at 14 airtanker and 11 (10 CAL FIRE, 1 joint CAL FIRE/ San Diego County Sheriff) helitack bases located statewide, and can reach most fires within 20 minutes. It is in the process of adding 7 C-130H 4,000 gallon airtankers. In support of its ground forces, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) emergency response air program includes 23 Grumman S-2T 1,200 gallon airtankers, 12 UH-1H Super Huey helicopters, and 16 OV-10A airtactical aircraft. The Aviation Management Program is based at McClellan Airfield near Sacramento, California. ![]() Due to the frequency and severity of wildfires in California, the state has elected to establish its own aerial firefighting force rather than rely solely on national resources. The CAL FIRE Aviation Management Program is a branch of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (known also as CAL FIRE). JSTOR ( November 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "CDF Aviation Management Program" – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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