Thread: Just when you thought the C130 was a large A/C to go Fire Hedgehopping.

Originally Posted by Old Farang

Yes, there are now aircraft designed just for fire fighting, but mostly twin engine and up. The old Piper Pawnee single engine top dressing/spraying aircraft was used very successfully for many years.

I believe Col Pay was testing some new type of "scoop", rather than the airframe.

Yes, that's what I thought. Essentially, Col was using an aircraft without floats and trying a risky technique where the wheels skipped across the surface of the water (like a flat stone, see video) and the attached scoops would fill the tank/s. I think for someone as skilled as Col, it would have been a relatively easy task in benign conditions. However, the technique is very risky for the average pilot. Throw in a bit of chop and the risk far outweighs the benefit. It's so easy for a wheel to dig in (as what happened with Col) and it's game over.
I couldn't envisage pilots doing such demanding flying to refill after having been on duty for over 10 hours.

Kevin Quinn World Record Plane Water Ski - YouTube

The 747 could land at any airport with a suitable pavement (or a pavement concession). Bearing in mind it would normally not have a lot of fuel onboard for fire bombing, so the aircraft would be relatively light compared to if it were doing an international flight. That would reduce the length of runway needed to operate.

I remember PAXing from Avalon to Tulla in 1992 after the airshow. There were about 50 of us onboard. The captain (Ray Heiniger) made a PA saying he was doing a "max performance takeoff' for the crowd. That involved a higher than usual flap setting and a standing start. We were only on the ground foe a few seconds. I suspect well under 1000m. That was impressive.

Originally Posted by Hugh Jars

Yes, that's what I thought. Essentially, Col was using an aircraft without floats and trying a risky technique where the wheels skipped across the surface of the water (like a flat stone, see video) and the attached scoops would fill the tank/s. I think for someone as skilled as Col, it would have been a relatively easy task in benign conditions. However, the technique is very risky for the average pilot. Throw in a bit of chop and the risk far outweighs the benefit. It's so easy for a wheel to dig in (as what happened with Col) and it's game over.
I couldn't envisage pilots doing such demanding flying to refill after having been on duty for over 10 hours.

Kevin Quinn World Record Plane Water Ski - YouTube

The 747 could land at any airport with a suitable pavement (or a pavement concession). Bearing in mind it would normally not have a lot of fuel onboard for fire bombing, so the aircraft would be relatively light compared to if it were doing an international flight. That would reduce the length of runway needed to operate.

I remember PAXing from Avalon to Tulla in 1992 after the airshow. There were about 50 of us onboard. The captain (Ray Heiniger) made a PA saying he was doing a "max performance takeoff' for the crowd. That involved a higher than usual flap setting and a standing start. We were only on the ground foe a few seconds. I suspect well under 1000m. That was impressive.

Thanks John, it is always good to read your informed comments you being "in the trade" so to speak.I


I hope you are now getting more hours up of late.




Your "max performance takeoff" reminded me of our Cathay 747 flight out of Kai Tak to Aust. in about 1980.


Heavy storm brewing & the Capt wanted to get moving asap. We sat on the thresh-hold, brakes on, 4 engines screaming their nuts off when the brakes were released. Suddenly we found ourselves going into orbit & out over the Harbour & away. From memory I seem to recall the A/C being parked as far back as possible on the Landward end which would have given him maybe a 100' extra length.

He did have the courtesy to explain what he was going to do so that made it a bit easier & it certainly was exhilarating.

All in a Day's work for him I reckon.


Then they built the new airport & took all the fun out of it.