| Other than the military, there probably isn't a more | | | | purchased the manufacturing rights in the early nineties |
| exciting and exhilarating type of flying than flying air | | | | and has since been modifying and upgrading the |
| attack missions. Air attack refers to the pilots who | | | | aircraft. The S-64 has a crew of two pilots and there |
| battle forest fires. In the late spring, summer, and early | | | | is a seat for a rearward facing observer. The S-64 is |
| fall months air attack pilots are in constant action | | | | able to refill its tanks from pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, |
| battling blazes and protecting property. | | | | and other water sources. The Aircrane incorporates a |
| Aircraft are the ideal platform to battle small blazes in | | | | ram scoop that it uses to fill its tanks in less than 45 |
| remote locations. An aircraft can be dispatched and | | | | seconds. It also has a snorkel, which allows it to hover |
| attack the fire before its able to grow in size. Aircraft | | | | above a water source to fill its tanks. The S-64 holds |
| are also ideal when fighting a specific portion of a fire. | | | | a total of 2,650 gallons of water or retardant. |
| Their accuracy and ability to travel long distances | | | | Another interesting helicopter is the Kaman Firemax. |
| quickly make them the ideal platforms to initiate a fire | | | | One pilot flies the Firemax. It uses a snorkel to fill its |
| break. | | | | 700 galloon tank and is able to fill it in 23 seconds. The |
| Air attack missions resemble military missions. Often | | | | Firemax was derived from the Kaman K-max which is |
| you'll have a lead aircraft that acts as a forward air | | | | the helicopter equivalent of an aerial truck/crane. The |
| controller (fac). As mission requests from fire fighters | | | | K-max was designed for logging and construction |
| on the ground come in, the lead plane assigns the fire | | | | work, Jobs where the ability to lift heavy loads are |
| fighting aircraft which is best suited for the mission and | | | | critical. Because of this, the Firemax is particularly |
| will often lead the tanker in to show the best route in | | | | useful at higher elevations (such as in the mountains) |
| and out. | | | | because it doesn't suffer as much of a loss in lifting |
| Helicopters are great fire fighting aircraft because they | | | | capacity as other aircraft. |
| can hover over a spot and accurately deliver their load | | | | Air attack pilots usually work six months a year (during |
| of retardant or water. If the fire begins to threaten | | | | the fire season), which leaves them time to pursue |
| heavily populated areas the helicopters precision | | | | other interests. During the fire season they are mostly |
| makes them an invaluable tool. | | | | away from home for extended periods of time. Air |
| Almost any helicopter can be retrofitted with a bucket | | | | attack pilots can make upwards of $80,000 for six |
| to fight fires but there are two that are purpose built. | | | | months work. |
| The Erickson S-64 Aircrane, which is in service | | | | Pilots who fly air attack say there is nothing else they'd |
| worldwide, is probably the most famous airborne fire | | | | rather be doing. It's challenging, exciting, and they get to |
| fighter. Sikorsky originally built the Aircrane. Erickson | | | | have six months off. |