Sun, Dec 23, 2007
Aerial firefighters
operating Kaman K-MAX helicopters now have a new, highly efficient
alternative water-drop system available for use when fighting
forest and rangeland wild fires.
The new system features a 700-gallon carbon fiber tank developed
by Isolair, Inc., a Troutdale, Ore., based helicopter applications
manufacturer, and Rainier Heli-lift, a Kirkland, Wash., operator of
Kaman's K MAX medium-lift helicopters. The new tank, developed as
an alternative to the K-MAX's existing fire-fighting water tanks,
received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation
Administration early in the summer.
"This year's extreme fire season has proven the exceptional
value of effective airborne firefighting," said Terry Fogarty,
Director, K-MAX Programs for Kaman Aerospace Corp. "Having new and
highly efficient equipment to combat the fires makes the helicopter
an even more valuable tool."
Key features of the Isolair tank:
- The fully baffled, U-shaped tank can be quickly installed on
the helicopter, giving operators the ability to rapidly alter
aircraft configurations when mission requirements change.
- The tank can be filled to its 700-gallon capacity in less than
a minute as the helicopter hovers over a water source.
- Water drops are controlled by the pilot, either as a full
capacity drop, or sequenced as multiple drops from the same water
load.
- The tank's U-shape and its internal water baffles, which
prevent excessive surging of the load, result in more stable flight
characteristics and greater safety for the aircraft and pilot.
The K-MAX was designed specifically for repetitive external
lifting in harsh environments, including high altitude and hot
weather. A fully loaded Isolair tank weighs less than 6,500 lbs --
well within the K-MAX's lifting capacity. Kaman Aerospace Corp. is
a subsidiary of Kaman Corp.
More News
Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]
Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]
From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]
Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]