Posted by Walt (69.106.180.46) on February 23, 2010 at 09:59:37:
Bill Broadwell sent this note to AAP regarding AHSAFA work on next-gen airtankers. We appreciate Bill and AHSAFA inviting AAP to be part of the process:
Development of the Future Large Airtanker
In early October 2009, representatives from the American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) met with USFS representatives from Fire and Aviation and Acquisition Management to lay the ground work for a cooperative effort in developing requirements for the future large airtanker. It is generally recognized the current fleet, which is over 50 years old, is still airworthy and expected to remain so for the near future. However, it is also recognized it is necessary to start the development process for a follow-on large airtanker fleet now to ensure uninterrupted large airtanker support for the wildland firefighting mission in the future. Costs and long term funding issues, supported by properly structured contracts, need to be addressed before commercial companies will be able to invest in newer aircraft suitable for the mission. The USFS and AHSAFA will be working together on this issue, and AHSAFA would welcome any suggestions/assistance the AAP would like to address.
Please contact Tom Eversole (AHSAFA Executive Director) at teversole@ahsafa.org or Bill Broadwell (AHSAFA Assistant Executive Director) at wbroadwell@ahsafa.org for additional information.