A new 802 Air Tractor tank system for aerial suppression operations is right on target to improve the effectiveness of water, foam and retardant drops.

After recent drop pattern tests, a new gating system on the 802 Air Tractor could increase the concentration of a liquid payload delivered to ground fires by more than 30 per cent, says fire researcher Ray Ault, of FPInnovations – Feric Division.

 

The more concentrated the load, the higher the coverage level and the more effective the drop is in penetrating the tree canopy, which can be a big asset for firefighters on the ground. A coverage level of one equates to one US gallon per 100 square feet of retardant coverage. Tests focused on coverage levels 2 – 4, as well as a full salvo drop. Getting a concentrated salvo drop was the main objective, says Larry Pahl of Conair Aviation. Drops in timber are most effective when the load is able to reach the ground and reduce the fire’s intensity.

 

While crews on the ground receive the key advantage of improved canopy penetration by a more concentrated drop pattern, they’re not the only ones to benefit from the innovation.

 

“In the end it means lower cost for taxpayers because we’re trying to make a lower cost platform perform better, and of course the firefighters (gain too). The better the quality of the water drops, the faster the fires are brought under control.”

 

Conair was able to boost the flow rate of the liquid drop from 400 gallons per second to 600 gallons per second, an improvement of 50 per cent. Conair has two of the modified 802 Air Tractors in operation, one wheeled and one float/amphibious. If there’s a river or lake nearby, the float plane can do a 650 imperial-gallon scoop every three minutes, delivering the equivalent of 12,000 imperial gallons an hour.

 

Conair Aviation developed the new technology for the Air Tractors, and initial tests were positive enough to justify follow-up trials and involved researchers from BC, Alberta and the United States.

 

“We did 31 drops in three days,” he adds. “It was amazing – we had a lot of help – and it was great because we collected useful data that will make a difference to fire operations.”

 

By GAVIN MEALING