agairupdate.com JUNE 2016
All-in with
AEROTECH
These walls have ears. Listening. It’s become a lost art in business these days, but fortunately, not at Thrush. Here at the factory listening to customers, suppliers and fans has always been an important part of our every day. And we’re getting even better at it. Whether it’s a phone call for parts, a comment during a field test, or a conversation at a tradeshow, we listen – and we act on what we hear. It makes us better – and ensures our aircraft and our service always exceed your expectations. Try us. We’re all ears. For more information, and a willing ear, call Eric Rojek at 229.789.0437, or visit us online if you prefer at thrushaircraft.com.
AFF-2
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
Where innovation is nothing new. N E W S P A P E R
Guia Lite
All you can fly for under 5k. The Guia Lite can fly all patterms and logs data. The system consists of a compact, intelligent touch screen display, a sensitive built-in GNSS engine, a GPS antenna, 5 remote switches, boom switch, and a super bright lightbar that comes in two models for internal or external use.
889 Light Bar
AgNav
AgNav’s 889 Light Bar is the brightest light bar on the market. Designed to work with AgNav Navigation Systems, it provides the pilot with 3D guidance and helpful flight information while doing an aerial application. The 889 Light Bar’s customizable, fully programmable display can be dimmed from full brightness to completely off.
Guia Platinum
With AgNav’s state-of-the-art aerial guidance, the Auto Booms technology within the Guia Platinum eliminates the worry and responsibility of the on/off spray. Auto Booms accommodates exclusion zones and variable rates within an area. With wireless, 3G and Bluetooth capabilities, file transfer is seamless with agnavs free cloud server, AG-LINK™.
Ag-Flow
Ag-Flow: Automatic liquid flow control. Ag-Flow 1: Autonomous liquid flow control. Ag-Flow H: Made for helicopters to disperse granular product. Ag-Flow E: Electric motor flow control system. The Ag-Flow systems are designed to ensure a steady distribution of product by automatically adjusting its flow. The simple and easy installation process guarantees that the AG-FLOW is ready to use within a short period of time.
For more details, please contact AG-NAV or visit our website.
Ag-Nav - The leading name in GPS for over When you buy an Ag-Nav product, you have 20 years. Be able to complete your job with confidence the best tech support in the industry waiting and expertice with an Ag-Nav system. for you -24/7, 365 an languages
W W W. A G N A V. C O M
1 (800) 99-AGNAV GENERAL@AGNAV.COM 1 (705) 734-0909 June 2016
AFF-3
&
keep turning… in this issue VOLUME 34 NUMBER 6| JUNE 2016
A special section devoted to aerial firefighting and forestry
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
P.O. Box 850 • Perry, GA 31069 USA 475 Myrtle Field Rd. • Perry, GA 31069 USA PHONE: 478-987-2250 FAX: 478-352-0025 aau@agairupdate.com • agairupdate.com Scan this QR Code with your smart phone.
N E W S P A P E R
AFF-06 AFF-08 AFF-10 AFF-12 AFF-13 AFF-14 AFF-15
From the SEAT
new Fire Attack™ System
All-in with Aero Tech CAL FIRE’S Ken Pimlott interview in Sacramento Aerial firefighting 2016 returns to Australia Victor Trotter joins GelTech’s Board of Directors B747-400 SuperTanker Simplex Aerospace certifies ground breaking
AFF-16 AeroCloud’s DataVault successfully completes first season AFF-18 California: 2016 Aerial Firefighting International collage
PUBLISHER: Bill Lavender - bill@agairupdate.com EDITOR: Graham Lavender - editor@agairupdate.com ACCOUNTING: Sandy Lavender - accounting@agairupdate.com ADMINISTRATION: Casey L. Armstrong - casey@agairupdate.com ADVERTISING: Ernie Eggler - ernie@agairupdate.com Michael Conner - michael@agairupdate.com CLASSIFIED ADS: classifieds@agairupdate.com Melanie Earl - melanie@agairupdate.com PRODUCTION: Deborah Freeman - aau@agairupdate.com CIRCULATION: Melanie Earl - melanie@agairupdate.com subs@agairupdate.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Carlin Lawrence - carlin@agairupdate.com Alan McCracken - mccrackenalan@yahoo.com Robert McCurdy - robert@agairupdate.com Tracy Thurman - thurmantracyt@yahoo.com LATIN AMERICAN REPS: Victoria Blanc Chalking - vblanc@charleschalkling.com Ernesto Franzen - ernesto@agairupdate.com Gina Hickmann - gina@agairupdate.com Pat Kornegay - pat@svatx.com © Copyright 2016 AgAir Update retains all rights for reproduction of any material submitted, to include but not limited to articles, photographs, emails and bulletin board posts. All material remain the copyright of AgAir Update. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in part or whole, without the written consent of the publisher. Editorial published do not necessary reflect the views of the publisher. Content within AgAir Update is believed to be true and accurate and the publisher does not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions. Unsolicited editorial manuscripts and photos are welcomed and encouraged. We cannot be responsible for return unless submissions are accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Advertising deadline is 12 noon, on the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. AgAir Update (ISSN 1081-6496) Published monthly by Blue Sky Investments, Inc., 475 Myrtle Field Road, Perry, GA 31069 for $39 USD for one year in the U.S.; International rates are $39 USD for one year. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, MO and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 850, Perry, GA 31069. AgAir Update, a multiple-award winning publication, is a tabloid newspaper 12.25” deep by 10” wide on a 2.25” 4 column format. Contract rates are available upon request.
AgAir Update is a proud member of:
On the cover: Aero Tech utilizes stainless steel hopper for loading dry goods. It is hydraulically operated and offers quick turnaround times and an added layer of safety when combined with the automatic wingman. See story page 8
AFF-4
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
It’s not just about horsepower. Or TBOs, or the fifty-year reputation of the reliable PT6A engine. It’s more than the global customer support from Pratt & Whitney Canada and Air Tractor. It’s even more than offering the widest range of airframe and engine combinations in the industry, and the continuous product improvement to make our planes even better. Air Tractor is the whole package. It’s an airplane that delivers like no other.
It’s all of it. Together. Working for you. AIR TRACTOR GLOBAL DEALER NETWORK ABIDE AG-AERO CORP. (Parts Only) p: (662) 378-2282
FROST FLYING, INC. (U.S. + Central & South America) p: (870) 295-6213 e: garrett@frostflying.com
AGSUR AVIONES, S.A. (Central & South America) p: +54 (247) 743-2090 e: sales@agsuraviones.com
LANE AVIATION (U.S. + Mexico, Central & South America) p: (281) 342-5451 / (888) 995-5263 e: glane@laneav.com
AG AVIATION AFRICA (Sub-Saharan Africa) p: +27-824-515-388 e: sales@agaviationafrica.com
NEAL AIRCRAFT, INC. p: (806) 828-5892 e: neal.aircraft@gmail.com
AIR TRACTOR EUROPE (Europe & North Africa) p: +34-96-265-41-00 e: v.huerta@avialsa.com
QUEEN BEE AIR SPECIALTIES (U.S. + Canada) (208) 745-7654 / (800) 736-7654 e: chipkemper@aol.com
CONAIR GROUP INC. (802F in Canada) p: (604) 855-1171 e: jberry@conair.ca
SOUTHEASTERN AIRCRAFT p: (772) 461-8924 / (800) 441-2964 e: mail@southeasternaircraft.com
FARM AIR, INC. p: (877) 715-8476 e: farmair@mymctc.net FIELD AIR (SALES) PTY. LTD. (Australasia) p: +61-353-394-222 e: sales@fieldair.com.au
VALLEY AIR CRAFTS p: (559) 686-7401 e: sales@thevalleyaircrafts.com
AIR TRACTOR, INC. • OLNEY, TEXAS 76374 • 940.564.5616 • AIRTRACTOR.COM June 2016
AFF-5
Marc Mullis marc@agairupdate.com
from the SEAT
Fire season off to a different start A conventional fire season would be where the majority of activity sprung up in the American Southwest. In a twisted start for the 2016 fire season, the vast majority of fires have been with our Canadian neighbors. Most news reporting has focused on the huge blaze near Fort McMurray in the northeast corner of Alberta province. This fire has prompted the evacuation of more than one-hundred thousand residents. Twenty-five thousand of them that fled to the north were evacuated a second time when the flames spread in that direction. So far, thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed. Large fires are also out of control in British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. Most of these blazes are in old growth timber and will only be extinguished by Mother Nature. Aerial resources are already stretched to the max and it appears it will be a long summer for our brothers and sisters to the north. A Convair 580 Heavy Air Tanker suffered a runway excursion in Northwest Alberta in early May resulting in significant damage to the aircraft. The pilot suffered a cut to his
AFF-6
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
head and the co-pilot was uninjured. It is reported that the pilot had a medical episode that forced the co-pilot to take control during the approach. At the time of the accident, there were fortynine large fires in Alberta. The Predictive Services forecast for the continental United States calls for a normal fire season with early hotspots in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Later in the summer, above average activity is forecast in parts of California, Nevada and southern Idaho. The current Exclusive Use Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) contract has made it very difficult for contractors to bring new pilots into the industry. The contract states that a Level II pilot can only be on duty six days out of any 14day work period. That rule in essence requires the contractor to hire two pilots to cover one aircraft. This places an economic burden on the contractor, as well as pilots. Years ago, the practice was to pair a Level II pilot with an experienced Level I pilot for the entire season. This system worked very well and I would like to see the contract amended to address this problem. There
is currently a shortage of qualified pilots in the program. Drones have become a very important tool in fire suppression. They have been used to drop ping pong igniters for prescribed fires and burnout operations, perimeter mapping and to serve as an eye in the sky for Incident Commanders in the absence of an Air Attack aircraft. The rotorwash from a helicopter can often aggravate the fire, but it has been found that drones can be operated much lower because of reduced rotorwash. A drone is being used to find the point of origin on the Fort McMurray Fire for this very reason. The fire season will be in full swing across the Western United States in June. Even though predictions are for a normal season, there will still be millions of acres burned. Fly safe, stay focused and I hope to see you in the mountains some day.
Marc
802F Fire Boss Amphibious Scooper
CAN DO
Small or big fires. Tributaries or tarmacs. Water or retardant. Do more with less. That’s the advantage of the Air Tractor 802F Fire Boss. It can deliver as much as 14,000 gallons/hr. for less than 50 cents per gallon. Nothing else comes close to matching its versatility, operational tempo and economy. When resources are scarce and it’s time to hit it from the air, bring in the Boss.
AIR TRACTOR GLOBAL DEALER NETWORK ABIDE AG-AERO CORP. (Parts Only) (662) 378-2282 AGSUR AVIONES, S.A. (Central & South America) +54 (247) 743-2090 sales@agsuraviones.com
AG AVIATION AFRICA (Sub-Saharan Africa) +27-824-515-388 sales@agaviationafrica.com
FIELD AIR (SALES) PTY. LTD. (Australasia) +61-353-394-222 sales@fieldair.com.au
AIR TRACTOR EUROPE (Europe & North Africa) +34-96-265-41-00 v.huerta@avialsa.com
FROST FLYING, INC. (U.S. + Central & South America) (870) 295-6213 garrett@frostflying.com
CONAIR GROUP INC. (802F in Canada) (604) 855-1171 jberry@conair.ca
LANE AVIATION (U.S. + Mexico, Central & South America) (281) 342-5451 / (888) 995-5263 glane@laneav.com
FARM AIR, INC. (877) 715-8476 farmair@mymctc.net
NEAL AIRCRAFT, INC. (806) 828-5892 neal.aircraft@gmail.com QUEEN BEE AIR SPECIALTIES (U.S. + Canada) (208) 745-7654 / (800) 736-7654 chipkemper@aol.com SOUTHEASTERN AIRCRAFT (772) 461-8924 / (800) 441-2964 mail@southeasternaircraft.com VALLEY AIR CRAFTS (559) 686-7401 sales@thevalleyaircrafts.com
AIR TRACTOR, INC. • OLNEY, TEXAS 76374 • 940.564.5616 • AIRTRACTOR.COM June 2016
AFF-7
All-in with
AEROTECH by Graham Lavender The year was 1990. Ted Stallings was working his AT-400 on a Gypsy Moth contract, as he had done countless times since forming Aero Tech. Back then, grasshopper, gypsy moth, boll weevil - just about any eradication - was Aero Tech’s mainstay. Business was at an all-time high and Ted was flying lead in a two-airplane formation low in a valley. “He said my airplane starting disintegrating, right before his eyes. First a section of the tail, then wing and the next thing he knew there was a fireball on the cliff of the valley.” Ted recounted the story of the pilot who was flying behind him. By all accounts, including the photos, Ted Stallings shouldn’t have survived that horrific encounter with a transmission line; he did and rebuilt his business ten-fold. Aero Tech’s beginnings can be traced back to the 1960s, when Ted’s father, Chuck Stallings began his aerial application business by modifying a Super Cub in Bovina, Texas. Chuck Stallings was treating mainly row crops and gradually replaced the Cub with Pawnees. In his prime, Chuck Stallings was operating six Pawnees.
Aero Tech’s Air Tractor AT-802s lined up to start a day’s work of Aerial Hydromulching on the Santiago Canyon Fire in Corona, California.
AFF-8
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
Ted was born into ag aviation. Flying in his very early years (11 years old to be exact), Ted sprayed his first field at 14 in a PA-11! Ted competed in the International Aerobatic Championship at 16 as a student pilot, placing 3rd in the Sportsman Category. Obviously, a natural ag aviator, Ted bought the flying service from his father in the mid-1980s and formed Ted’s Spraying Service. Ted sold the flying service and relocated to Clovis, New Mexico and formed Aero Tech in 1988, right before his accident. By this point, Ted had become very fluent in the procurement of government contracts. Enough so, that the mainstay of his business was pest eradication for the federal government. While Aero Tech was succeeding, Ted Stallings found himself with an unprecedented hill to climb. His accident brought with it a oneyear and three-month stay in the hospital. The Aero Tech business suffered during his absence, and once semi-recovered, Ted began rebuilding from the ground-up. AeroTech became a Thrush dealer and started procuring government contracts at a rapid pace. Two Thrushes turned
Cameron, Chuck and Ted Stallings. Chuck is 87 years old, and still enjoys being in the office on a daily basis.
Ted and his wife Patti, in the village of Seldovia, Alaska where Aero Tech’s Alaska base of operations exists. into four, but the fire fighting aspect of Aero Tech called for bigger aircraft with larger payloads. Aero Tech purchased its first AT-802 in 1994 and today operates seven AT-802s. The AT-802s are powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 power plants and are all single-place except for one dual-cockpit version. The AT802s utilize Satloc M3 or G4s with CP11 spray nozzles. Aero Tech has plans to add another AT-802 to its fleet in the near future.
Aero Tech’s AT-802s are deployed throughout the lower 48 states and Alaska. About five years ago, Ted and his wife Patty purchased a fishing lodge in Seldovia, Alaska. Ted had been conducting operations in the state since 1988 and felt it a natural progression to expand Aero Tech to Alaska. Incidentally, while on an Alaskan fire contract, Ted Stallings acquired the title of piloting the first AT-802 over the Arctic Circle. He says, “It was just happenstance. I was in the airplane and another AT-802 was right beside me. I was just going a little faster.” During the ongoing expansion of Aero Tech, acquiring additional government contracts required a diverse portfolio of equipment. Helicopters were added to the fleet after a Houston, Texas mosquito abatement contract and have served as an indispensable asset in Aero Tech’s work. Animal capture, eradication, aerial fire fighting and air-taxi services are just some of the capabilities of Aero Tech. Their helicopter fleet includes two Bell 212s, a Bell 407 (which is equipped for liquid applications), a Bell 412 and an MD-530, also equipped for aerial applications. Aero Tech’s Bell 412 was featured in the movie “San Andreas”, a recent Hollywood blockbuster.
In addition to a fleet of helicopters and AT-802s, the Alaska base is also home to Aero Tech’s turbine-powered amphibious DeHavilland Beaver and Pilatus Porter PC6-H4, both of which are used for personnel, cargo and air taxi operations. Just as Ted was born and raised in aerial application, Ted’s son, Cameron, continues as a third generation pilot. As Vice-President and Chief Pilot of Aero Tech, Cameron started loading airplanes and helicopters before his teen years. He soloed at 16 and obtained his private-pilot certificate at 17. He added his rotorcraft rating at 18 and obtained his commercial-pilot certificate at 19. Cameron instructed in helicopters during
his early time-building years, graduating to wildlife surveys for Aero Tech in 2008. Cameron became carded to fight fires with helicopters in 2012. Cameron has his eyes set on the future and plans to continue the tradition of expanding the business as time goes on. Aero Tech’s amazing success-at-theface-of-near-tragedy story has led the company to its present day expanse of operations. Aero Tech employs 14 people, plus eight contract fixed-wing pilots and eight helicopter pilots. The company’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Clovis, New Mexico is a testament that even in the face of adversity, setbacks are overcome and hard-work prevails.
1. Cameron Stallings coordinating with ground crews for his next load of seed in support of the White Water/Baldy Fire. 2. Aero Tech’s Bell 407 taking on another load for saltcedar spraying, in New Mexico. 3. Aero Tech’s AT-802 waiting on the rain in Springerville, Arizona, near the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest where 80,000 acres of seed were dispersed after the Wallow Fire. 4. Aero Tech’s AT-802 applying hydromulch in California on the Gap Fire. 5. Aero Tech utilizes the TracMap guidance system of New Zealand. Aero Tech finds the units to be compact and user friendly. 6. When the 407 isn’t fighting fire it works great for spraying. It is capable of hauling 230 gallons and offers a wide swath width. 7. Aero Tech developed this stainless steel hopper for loading dry goods. It is hydraulically operated and offers quick turnaround times and an added layer of safety when combined with the automatic wingman. 8. The Bell 407 spraying saltcedar for the BLM in New Mexico. 9. Taking on another load of seed while reclamating the Wallow Fire just outside Springerville, Arizona.
❾
June 2016
AFF-9
CAL FIRE’S Ken Pimlott interview in Sacramento Interview with the State of California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Chief Ken Pimlott, 22 March 2016, on the first day of the Aerial Fire Fighting Conference, Sacramento, CA. Andrew Drwiega: Ken, thanks for talking to us on the first day of the Aerial Fire Fighting (AFF) conference in Sacramento, California. I would like to start by getting your opinion on the most productive advances in aerial firefighting in recent years. Ken Pimlott: There are two that stand out: technological progress and the tactical use of aircraft. There has been technological change and refinement in the delivery of fire retardant. Over the last 10 years the biggest single technological change which is shaping the future of firefighting is the increasing implementation of jet aircraft into the aerial firefighting arsenal.
Pen & Ink Drawings By Richard C. DeSpain
In 2006, CAL FIRE pioneered the concept of using the DC-10 [in a demonstration then fighting fires later in the year] and was considered at the time ‘out of the box’ in terms of conventional firefighting and was met with a lot of skepticism from within the organisation and the firefighting community in general. But we had some forward thinking operations chiefs and aviators who proved it could work. Over several years they looked at delivery mechanisms as well as refining how to use it tactically. Andrew Drwiega: What is the current situation regarding the planned replacement of your 12 Huey UH-1H helicopters. I understand a re-bid will take place due to some vendor misinterpretation regarding the written requirement? Ken Pimlott: The helicopter replacement decision is public and we had three vendors who put forward a total of four bids. We have never gone to the open market for an aviation platform as we have been a huge user of the Federal Excess Property programme which covers equipment/aircraft that originally belonged to the Department of Defense [DoD]. Once acquired by the U.S. Forest Service it is loaned to State agencies for firefighting. This path has served the State of California well in the past. The UH-1s were retrofitted and rebuilt for our purposes, but we now have a responsibility to upgrade our capability. It has been an emotional decision for firefighters. When you are on the ground, the signature sound of the Huey has always been wonderful to hear. The bids that were submitted ranged between $104-160 million. We are looking for 12 aircraft eventually but the first bid is for nine helicopters. We are working closely with the State’s procurement experts and the Department of Finance on next steps to ensure that we select the helicopter that will meet all our mission requirements. We will also be working with the legislature on securing funding for the procurement. We hope to have the first helicopter out within the next year or two but that depends on the successful vendor and their capacity to deliver the helicopters.
AT-802F has them! Limited Editions Signed & Numbered 1/100 $60.00 each, plus S&H To Order Call 478-987-2250 or Fax to 478-987-1836 View Online at www.agairupdatemarketplace.com
Postage & Handling $10.00 U.S. and Western Hemisphere. All other countries vary. U.S. money order or check on U.S. bank,Visa or Mastercard accepted.
AFF-10
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
We want to fly the new helicopter type to understand how it performs in different conditions. It is tough to speculate but we will have to wait until the successful bidder is identified. If we have to wait a bit longer for the right helicopter then we will. Right now we own the Hueys and have our own fire pilots, but we leverage the maintenance expertise from DynCorp International. Having a vendor supplying maintenance support has been phenomenal. We go out every three or four years to the market and rebid, although DynCorp International has been very successful and just won another term for two years with three optional years.
Andrew Drwiega: What are your thoughts regarding the value of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to aerial wildfire operations?
public sectors coming together to provide innovation. There is no better venue to bring all these experts together.
Ken Pimlott: We are making the transition to their use and have a working group looking at remotely piloted aircraft. We conducted a trial in 2013 with a [California National Guard] Predator. We literally had to go to the Secretary of State for Defense for permission as we had to address civil liberty issues and be very clear about the missions we intended to perform. But it was a good proof of concept, especially as it could loiter over the fire for 15 hours at a time.
We have also had more interaction over the last several years with international representatives including those from Greece, Canada and Australia. Nobody is isolated anymore - we are learning from everybody as nobody has all the answers.
Andrew Drwiega: So what prime missions did you identify for UAV operations? Ken Pimlott: Certainly first would be monitoring the status of the fire and keeping track of where the hotspots are. Inversions and smoke columns make it very difficult to see normally but the UAVs’ equipment helped with that. It allowed us to make decisions tactically about where to place resources to combat the most active part of the fire.
call us for your next S.E.A.T. aircraft
It also helps with fire fighter safety, identifying and continually monitoring resources on the ground. We will have an automated vehicle location system from July after the Governor’s budget [which will be similar to the military ‘blue force tracker’]. So once that combines with long endurance eyes in the sky, you have a great resource. With UAVs, we have a responsibility knowing there such technology out there. We need to look to see how best to utilize it. Andrew Drwiega: Finally, what are your thoughts on the AFF conference and exhibition? Ken Pimlott: This is the cutting edge of the aerial firefighting industry and community. As aviation is a relatively small community, it is about the private and
Lane Aviation, Inc. “Specializing in Turbine and Piston Air Tractors”
888-995-5263 281-342-5451 TEL • 281-232-5401 FAX glane@laneav.com • www.laneav.com
June 2016
AFF-11
Aerial Firefighting 2016 returns to Australia Bushfires are a blight on Australia’s rural communities and are now increasingly threatening city limits, Sydney being recently headlined when in 2013 New South Wales experienced a series of bushfires which swept through an area of 290,000 acres, destroyed 248 buildings
and cost A$94 million. South Australia is no stranger to this phenomenon either and bushfires are well documented to be worsening in the State, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. Since early 2015, soaring temperatures and high winds have stoked the bushfires
across South Australia with more than 30 homes being destroyed including 2,000 hectares of the Barossa Valley causing damage to several wineries in the Adelaide Hills behind the State Capital. No one can forget the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983, which left 75 dead.
G ’d to ay So a ut nd h W A e us lc tra om lia e
Aerial Firefighting in the ASEAN Region A target for this event is to attract the smogaffected ASEAN countries, especially Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as well as Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam who are also seriously affected by the slash and burn effects of their forests in their region. ASEAN countries are expected to allocate up to US$10 billion to cope with unending forest fires in areas such as Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, which is estimated to suffer US$4 billion in losses in 2015 alone from wildfire effects on agriculture production, destruction of forest lands, health, transportation and tourism.
Aerial Firefighting Asia Pacific 5 - 6 September 2016 The Stamford Grand, Glenelg, Adelaide, South Australia MILITARY, FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DELEGATIONS (apply now for complimentary passes) To learn more about participating, please contact Lauran Allen Telephone: +44 (0) 1628 550 041 | Email: lallen@tangentlink.com | www.tangentlink.com
AFF-12
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
Future opportunities for joint ventures and foreign contracts in aerial firefighting are thus likely to require global support and assistance going forward.
Victor Trotter joins GelTech’s Board of Directors JUPITER, FL—GelTech Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: GLTC) an innovator in the use of environmentally-friendly polymers for fire suppression and prevention, is pleased to announce the appointment of Victor Trotter to its board of directors. Mr. Trotter, founder, president and chief technology officer of Fort Worth-based Trotter Controls, Inc., brings over 30 years of experience in engineering design, electronics, project management and entrepreneurial business ownership. Mr. Trotter has been directly involved in the wildland fire industry for over 25 years. Since July 2015, Trotter Controls has been involved in designing a turnkey FireIce blending system to load and blend GelTech’s FireIce product on board wildland firefighting aircraft. The initial system is configured for use on the amphibious Air Tractor AT802F FireBoss aircraft, but GelTech intends to offer the system for a variety of aircraft as well as land-based vehicles. “We are delighted to add Victor to our board of directors,” stated Michael Reger, GelTech’s president. “As a highly talented engineer and entrepreneurial business owner with extensive relationships in the wildland fire industry, Victor adds invaluable depth that will be instrumental in bringing our portfolio of products to market.”
Australia continued Aerial firefighting is a powerful weapon in the bushfireextinguishing arsenal which can, when deployed correctly, stop wildfires in their tracks. Large air tankers, SEAT and helicopters can drop water on the fire front and, in cooperation with ground fire-crews providing controlled back-burning, prove to be a tried and tested solution. Reduction of bushfires in the future is unlikely and so it is important to maintain connection with the world’s aerial firefighting community to remain current and capable. There are many different aerial firefighting solutions in existence, with new techniques and technologies entering the arena every year. It was in 2011 when Australia last connected with the international aerial firefighting community and its technologies which took place in Melbourne. The Aerial Firefighting Asia Pacific 2016 conference will address how government organizations and emergency services can challenge and support the aviation industry to begin a journey of continuous improvement and partnership, so that the Australian firefighting community can improve efficiency and dramatically reduce the risks associated with aerial firefighting.
“Having worked firsthand with Michael Reger and the extraordinary team at GelTech, I couldn’t be more pleased to join the GelTech board,” stated Mr. Trotter. “I am looking forward to working with the company and its other board members to help bring GelTech’s unique, innovative and industry-leading products to market.” About GelTech Solutions, Inc.: Founded by inventor and chief technology officer Peter Cordani, GelTech Solutions is a leading provider of innovative, environmentally friendly and cost-effective products that help government agencies, industry, agriculture and the public achieve goals such as water conservation and protecting lives, homes and property from fires. GelTech’s products include FireIce, an extremely effective and versatile product used both as a suppressant to extinguish fires and a fire retardant to protect assets and property; Soil2O Dust Control and Soil Cap, products that reduce airborne particulate matter with minimal environmental impact; and GTW14, an advanced absorbency technology to control fluid spills of all sizes, turning liquids into solid waste for easier and safer disposal.
Turbine Installation, LLC
5017 Aviation Way Caldwell, ID 83605
208-455-9350
www.turbinesllc.com tim@turbinesllc.com
Air Tractor AT-802 Powered by Honeywell TPE331-14GR 1650 SHP 4500 HSI/9000 CAM June 2016
AFF-13
B747-400 SuperTanker
Powered by a 1600 HP Pratt & Whitney Engine
Over 70 Operating Worldwide
Montenegro
Spain
Australia
Canada United States Macedonia Argentina
651.209.7191
www.firebossllc.com
1700 Henry Avenue — Fleming Field South, St. Paul, MN 55075
AFF-14
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
The B747-400 SuperTanker is the true “Next Gen” air tanker. It joins the world’s fleet of aerial firefighting tankers not only as the youngest VLAT (VERY LARGE AIR TANKER) but with almost twice the capacity of the next largest aerial tanker. The two separate, but identical constant flow systems are pressurized which allows for either continuous discharge or up to eight segmented drops. Coverage levels range from CL2 to CL8 and above. The system is approved for retardant, gel, foam and water drops or the combination of any two of these agents and ground servicing for another sortie takes approximately 3035 minutes. The SuperTanker operates without any speed, altitude or operational restriction and provides a level of safety to ground personnel, property and natural resources unmatched by any other tanker, civilian or military. The exceptional and superior performance of the SuperTanker is such that it departs 200,000+ pounds below maximum allowable gross weight and can land immediately without dumping fuel or retardant if the operation is cancelled. Its dash speed of nearly 600 mph allows it to be almost anywhere in the U.S. in approximately 2.5 hours, avoiding potential traffic and ramp congestion at smaller retardant bases. Operating from its base in Colorado springs, the SuperTanker can reach virtually any point in North America in approximately 4.5 hours, ready to discharge its full load of almost 20,000 gallons of retardant before landing. With true global reach, the SuperTanker can be almost anywhere in the world in under 20 hours, including fuel stops, if necessary. Configured with 14 first class seats and 2 bunks for the support staff and additional flight crew, the SuperTanker arrives ready to begin previously coordinated flight operations with the host agency.
Simplex Aerospace certifies ground breaking new ™ Fire Attack System the safest and most effective fire fighting systems available. For more information, please visit our website www. simplex.aero.
PORTLAND OREGON — Simplex Aerospace is the world leader in design, production, certification and sales of aerial application mission equipment for helicopters. A 70-year old company, Simplex has over 185 FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for agricultural spraying, aerial cleaning, firefighting and other applications. Since entering the aerial firefighting market in the early 1990s, Simplex has released over 20 models of Fire Attack™ systems (FAS) with models for most major helicopter manufacturer (OEM) platforms. Simplex recently certified the largest fixed tank helicopter firefighting system in the world; a 3,050 gallon internal Fire Attack™ system for the Boeing CH-47D Chinook, known as model 347. The system allows a pilot to select a variety of drop patterns and installation requires only four bolts, minimizing modifications to the aircraft. “With total water evacuation in under four seconds, it is the most cost-effective FAS available to operators around the world,” explained Mark Zimmerman, president and CEO of Simplex. As the danger of wildland fires rises around the world, Simplex continues to work closely with OEMs and operators to produce
June 2016
AFF-15
AeroCloud’s DataVault successfully completes first season of operation FORT WORTH TEXAS – Announced in October 2015, AeroCloud’s DataVault data acquisition and telemetry platform, designed and manufactured by Trotter Controls, has completed a successful season of operational fire-fighting on a number of AT-802F fire bombers in South Australia and Chile. Commented Marc Gerth, Operations/ Engineering Manager at Trotter Controls “DataVault surpassed expectations of ourselves and our customers. Requiring zero pilot input, the system delivered incredibly accurate near real-time tracking and operational data to NAFC, the Australian national authority for aerial fire-fighting operations. We’re delighted that NAFC has approved DataVault for the 2016/17 season, when their increasingly stringent requirements will mandate the use of real time data logging and telemetry. Their analysis showed less than a minute of difference between DataVault’s automatically submitted data and manual Flight Operations Reports.” In addition to meeting NAFC event logging requirements, the DataVault meets the increasingly common Additional
Telemetry Unit (ATU) requirements appearing in aerial fire-fighting contracts in the U.S. Designed from the ground up as an open and easily expandable platform, DataVault has the capability to support both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft of any size, as well as many different types of fire gates. For FRDS GEN II systems, the DataVault simply plugs into preexisting connectors on the Pilot Interface and Relay Box to access fire gate data via a proprietary internal data bus. DataVault also has a variety of highly configurable serial, analog and digital interfaces which allow it to support complex systems from other manufacturers, or even basic sensors such as load cells, level sensors and simple switches. Victor Trotter, CTO and president of Trotter Controls, added “Field Air of Australia has been a great partner and their operational insight has been invaluable and now we have a proven platform. We’re excited to work with their team on the next phase of DataVault enhancement – the in-cockpit Message Interface.” Fitting in a standard instrument panel 3 1/8” cutout, DataVault’s Message
• Enclosure LCD and keypad provides a direct method for configuring and interacting with the DataVault system and is included on the PLUS and PRO models. The standard model requires a Message Interface. • Message Interface allows pilots to communicate with ground operations by sending and receiving text-based communications via Iridium network, no SIM card required. • Milspec USB flash drive housing can be mounted anywhere that is convenient for pilot access. This provides access to the logging USB drive for proof of delivery data. • AUX I/O connectors provide additional sensor inputs and high-current outputs for greatly expanded capability. • H-bridge drive output can connect to and control high voltage stepper motors, on/off and proportional valves. • Satellite modem enables real-time data sent from nearly anywhere in the world via Iridium satellite, no cellular network required. • Custom firmware and sensors will unlock DataVault’s flexible architecture to provide an excellent solution for unique requirements.
AFF-16
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
Interface enriches the data collected in each sortie by including the type of retardant used and the nature of the mission itself. Operators and firefighting authorities expect this will streamline and improve the overall administration and billing process by providing real-time “tags” indicating, for example, if a sortie is a chargeable or nonchargeable event. Users have a choice of tools for visualization of message data. TracPlus, NAFC AFAMS integration partner for Australia, provides real-time tracking displays on its “TracPlus Pro” application, and a reporting tool from AeroCloud provides a variety of reports summarizing operational activity by aircraft or fleet. Data can also be exported for use in proprietary systems or more detailed analysis in tools such as Excel. Beyond that, the Message Interface supports two-way message-based communication between the aircraft and ground. Text messages of up to 200 characters in length can be sent from the TracPlus Pro interface via the Iridium network to the aircraft. The pilot can select and send a range of pre-formatted messages to the ground, for example geo-referenced fire markers and reports of persons or property at risk. As well as a telemetry system, DataVault is also a versatile control platform. Expansion boards provide the ability to drive electric motors and various types of valves to enable control of equipment on the aircraft. Victor Trotter concluded “Like many other industries, aerial fire-fighting is becoming a data driven business, with authorities demanding increasing levels of real-time information to maximize value for expenditures. We’re proud to put DataVault at the forefront of these initiatives and look forward to helping our customers meet their needs in the easiest way possible.”
June 2016
AFF-17
Aerial Firefighting International — March 22-23, 2016 — Sacramento, California
Total attendees: 278 Total countries: 14 Representation: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, USA Total exhibitors: 34
AFF-18
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R
Frost Flying inc. Your
STRIKEDealer! Delivering Firefighting Aircraft Worldwide! compro AGRINAUTICS WeathAero
Jack Frost 3393 Hwy 121 West Marianna, AR 72360
corrosion X Breckenridge
870-295-6213
Parts 870-295-6218 Tel 870-295-6213 Fax 870-295-6674 frostparts@hotmail.com June 2016
AFF-19
AFF-20
& A E R I A L
F I R E F I G H T I N G ’ S
N E W S P A P E R