(Air) Get A Bigger Bucket!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14581917
We were discussing that while waiting for her to return this afternoon...

Water* is two pounds per gallon heavier than fuel (8lbs/gal Vs 6lbs/gal) but we figure that since she has no interior (either seats nor tanks like a KC-10), she's still well below max gross takeoff weight even with a load of slurry.

(*I do not know the specific gravity of the fire fighting chemicals...)

Asked a buddy of mine that does some aerial firefighting and he said, that depending on the mix it's between 9-13lbs/gal . It's some pretty heavy stuff. In comparison, concrete is 12lbs/gal.

Put this stuff in a 787 and the wings would look like the 10 here. LOL

StaticMedia wrote in post #14583116
Im guessing by some high output hose. Wonder how long it takes to fill and what the rate of climb is when all that water is dropped!

It depends, but more like 3 hoses - one per tank section. ~25 mins. Rate of climb while dumping is negligible - otherwise they wouldn't have passed the FAA cert for air frame mods. Although as they go into dumping sequence the a/c is trimmed all the way tail heavy (IIRC) and they push over pretty healthy to keep it straight and level

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14581917
she's still well below max gross takeoff weight even with a load of slurry.

...but above max landing weight for the a/c configuration

I had hoped to get some up close and personal time with 911 and her crew today but their pace of operations increased today so they couldn't accommodate a visit.

Great collection Jay! I've been on that DC-10 when it was a CAL DC-10-30 years ago. CAL retired it after 9/11 and Omni got it. Interesting to see a -30 with the center landing gear strut in the retracted position. With the fire fighting pods installed, I suppose that they had to fix it in the up position or remove it. I've been told by guys who flew the DC-10 that the center gear was optional below a certain landing gross weight and some of the airports it was flown the center gear was kept up to lessen the landing fee!
Hope they get the wildfires under control.

FlyingCanonPilot757 wrote in post #14586151
Great collection Jay! I've been on that DC-10 when it was a CAL DC-10-30 years ago. CAL retired it after 9/11 and Omni got it. Interesting to see a -30 with the center landing gear strut in the retracted position. With the fire fighting pods installed, I suppose that they had to fix it in the up position or remove it. I've been told by guys who flew the DC-10 that the center gear was optional below a certain landing gross weight and some of the airports it was flown the center gear was kept up to lessen the landing fee!
Hope they get the wildfires under control.

Hi Brian,

Thanks for weighing in!

I have to assume the center main is disabled simply because of the hopper config. Interesting to learn more about her history. Thanks!

Great shots Jay
Lighting on these is awesome and the livery looks great too

Desertraptor wrote in post #14586326
Great shots Jay
Lighting on these is awesome and the livery looks great too

Certainly not your average Cessna or Piper, eh?

Thanks!

Excellent series !

horse51 wrote in post #14588403
Excellent series !

Thank you sir...