Fire fighting floatplane

[dhasdell]

A couple of fire fighting floatplanes were active over Calafell, Spain, yesterday afternoon, and I wonder what they might have been: yellow, long slender fuselage, squarish fin/rudder, single engine, probably turboprop, with two large floats. Don't suggest the Canadair CL215, as they definitely weren't those.

Any suggestions, please?

 

[RKinkor]

A couple of fire fighting floatplanes were active over Calafell, Spain, yesterday afternoon, and I wonder what they might have been: yellow, long slender fuselage, squarish fin/rudder, single engine, probably turboprop, with two large floats. Don't suggest the Canadair CL215, as they definitely weren't those.

Any suggestions, please?

I think this might be it, Its called a Fire Boss, can not remember company name tho.View attachment 67419

 

[dhasdell]

That looks like it, and an internet search confirms that there are some in Spain. Thank you.

 

[Motormouse]

It's called an 'Air Tractor 802F' IIRC; there's a good freeware version available
if you need to add one to FS

ttfn

Pete

 

[Daveroo]

they are know as SEAT's single engined air tanker,used widely in the world over,but cant be used in california unless the USFS calls them in

 

[RKinkor]

they are know as SEAT's single engined air tanker,used widely in the world over,but cant be used in california unless the USFS calls them in

Any particular reason why? (joke time) Do they cause cancer in california lab rats?(end joke time)

 

[Daveroo]

well..no jokes come to mind,but the old CDF,calfire,or the powers that be..lawmakers maybe.decided that the minumum for fire fighting fixed wing aircraft in california need to be tiwn engined aircraft for safety reasons,the therory is?..lose and engine,the second will get you out of trouble,,,John Rissosco who was at one time a high ranking cdf chief officer told me this,as did men named don lane BTC 2311,and NYP (NEU) ranger unit ex chief Stan McDonald.....we had some long well fueled talks over campfires at times,we belonged to a "club" called 4Q fishing club....say it fast

 

[Firekitten]

That picture would fit the bill... its an Air Tractor Inc AT-802 Fire boss...

 

[Naki]

well..no jokes come to mind,but the old CDF,calfire,or the powers that be..lawmakers maybe.decided that the minumum for fire fighting fixed wing aircraft in california need to be tiwn engined aircraft for safety reasons,the therory is?..lose and engine,the second will get you out of trouble,,,John Rissosco who was at one time a high ranking cdf chief officer told me this,as did men named don lane BTC 2311,and NYP (NEU) ranger unit ex chief Stan McDonald.....we had some long well fueled talks over campfires at times,we belonged to a "club" called 4Q fishing club....say it fast

So they use clapped out military aircraft that fall to bits instead of new Air Tractors with an ultra reliable PT-6

 

[cputters]

Looks like it would be a fun plane to fly. Real world and FS

 

[pfflyers]

Naki, I couldn't help thinking the same thing. In addition to the reliability, I'll bet upkeep is much cheaper too.

 

[Daveroo]

california uses the grumman tracker,S2T,they are powered with garrett turboprops,and ive never heard of one ( dropping pieces off),these are completely rebuilt and very well mantained at a facility at McClellan field in sacramento,they carry up to 1200 gallons of retardant,and they have a very GOOD reputation for putting out alot of fire,and have done so for many years,even when they were radial powered,most of the S2 tanker crashes im aware of have been pilot error.they also use the bronco for air attack ( spotter),another turboprop powered a/c

whoever told you california uses warweary aircraft that have parts falling off is just plain wrong....we are very pround of our tankers and the pilots...if not for them..thousands of more homes would burn in california per year,because most people are still to stupid to understand you dont build a house in the middle of 20 foot tall weeds..........

 

[gtirob01]

The tanker/firefighter politics in California are idiotic. I remember the huge fire literally surrounding San Diego in 2003, and at that time, a Sheriff helicopter with a bambi bucket was turned away because of the "cutoff" policy regarding air drops just before sunset. This happened when the fire had just started and was relatively small. Now I know these helicopters have bright spotlights, so even if they made a drop just after sunset, their spotlight would be enough to see any terrain. Then several Navy/Marine helicopters with bambi buckets were ready to go fight the fire, and some were already airborne when they were called back by the forestry service because of an existing policy that prohibits military use until all other civilian resources were in use. Perhaps they would not have stopped the fire completely, but atleast those assets could have helped.

 

[Daveroo]

The tanker/firefighter politics in California are idiotic. I remember the huge fire literally surrounding San Diego in 2003, and at that time, a Sheriff helicopter with a bambi bucket was turned away because of the "cutoff" policy regarding air drops just before sunset. This happened when the fire had just started and was relatively small. Now I know these helicopters have bright spotlights, so even if they made a drop just after sunset, their spotlight would be enough to see any terrain. Then several Navy/Marine helicopters with bambi buckets were ready to go fight the fire, and some were already airborne when they were called back by the forestry service because of an existing policy that prohibits military use until all other civilian resources were in use. Perhaps they would not have stopped the fire completely, but atleast those assets could have helped.

that i cant argue with,and the actions of south-ops have burned many homes,and also was the ( in my opinion,) cause a few deaths,i know north-ops have the same rules,,but rules do get bent,and if you look at the numbers,the northern part of the state,burns alot of acres,but we also put out alot more fire