Subdeacon Joe Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Yes, it's a FB post. Yes, I did a very quick YouTube search for it and didn't find it. Sonoma Sheriff 12h · Henry-1’s aircrew had a front row seat this evening of Tanker 944 doing some awesome work south of Lake Sonoma. For any aviation nerds (such as the Flight Officer writing this post) Tanker 944 is a Boeing 747-400 BCF and is the world’s largest firefighting aircraft. We are very fortunate to have their help here in Sonoma County! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Yowza! That’s an instant half mile swath of retardant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 13 minutes ago, Charlie Harley, #14153 said: Yowza! That’s an instant half mile swath of retardant. Something like 16,000 gallons. Compare to 1,600 gallons on the S2. I think it's flying out of Travis. Hour round trip, half an hour to fill up. There are 4 S2s out of Santa Rosa. Faster turn around time and can get in closer, but less capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Flying something that big, carrying that kind of tonnage, and flying that LOW, brought my heart right up between my collar bones! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, I know just enough about flying to get myself in trouble, so I can't offer intellectual comment on his performance ... other than to admit I felt like screaming "PULL UP PULL UP PULL UP!!!" at my computer screen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Couple of things caught my eye - first, the pronounced angle of attack as that thing mushed along had me thinking of the crew praying "Lord, don't let an engine go south now!" The other was the wing flex. At times the wingtips appear to be higher than the fuselage.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Converted from 747's originally built as freighters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/747_Supertanker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Each tool in the tool box is better at some things than others. It takes them all to do an effective job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 14 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: Never mind, finally got it to open in YouTube on my phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I know someone who was called to help fly firefighting missions in Cali. I don't know what he is flying but I know he's there to help. Prayers up for all those effected by the fires as well as those assisting in the effort to contain them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 I just heard something big in the air. Checked the Flight Radar site. DC10 inbound and an MD87 outbound. 2 S2s loitering over the fire, 2 OV10s over it. Sheriff's helicopter and a CalFire helicopter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Sure hope they have an accurate radar altimeter when they fly through all that smoke! I sure hope those guys have a good laxative because that has to be an ultra-high pucker factor mission! Bless them and keep them safe! Stay well, Pards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 Some good news - the Walbridge Fire is now at 5% containment (hey, beats 0%) and some evac orders have been downgraded to warnings: Advisory: Walbridge Fire evacuation update for the Dry Creek and Forestville areas. Dear Joe Lovell, The following areas are downgraded from Evacuation Order to Evacuation Warning: Map Grid 2F1 downgraded to WarningEast of Dutcher Creek Road and the Dry Creek (the actual creek)North of Canyon RoadWest of Hwy 101 Map Grid 2F2 downgraded to WarningSouth of Canyon RoadEast of the Dry Creek (the actual creek)North of Lytton Springs RoadWest of Geyserville Avenue Map Grid 2F3 downgraded to WarningSouth of Lytton Springs RoadEast of the Dry Creek (the actual creek)North of Westside RoadWest of the Healdsburg city limits. Map Grid 2K1 downgraded to WarningAll areas North and East of Westside Rd.West of Hwy. 101West of the Russian River Map Grid 2K2 downgraded to WarningAll areas west of Hwy. 101East of the Russian River to the Windsor Town limitsNorth of where Windsor River Rd. dead ends extending west to the Russian River. Map Grid 4A1 downgraded to Warning All areas East of the Russian RiverNorth of River Rd.West of Trenton Healdsburg Rd. and Eastside Rd.South of the area between the western dead end of Windsor River Rd. and the Russian River Map Grid 4C1 downgraded to WarningNorth of Guerneville RoadEast of Covey Road and Hwy 116West of Laguna RdSouth of River Road This means you can now return home at your own risk. These areas are still at risk from the Walbridge Fire. We recommend you stay home for the day once you arrive. There’s going to be a lot of traffic in the area so please drive safely; our priority is getting everyone home safely. All other areas under evacuation order are still closed. We will send an alert for each area as it re-opens. Continue to follow the instructions of first responders in the area. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area. You can call 2-1-1 if you have any questions. Also, take a look at the interactive evacuation map at https://arcg.is/0buuL1 and search by address to see the status of your zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Those pilots are amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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