Air Tractor Inc

The 300th Air Tractor AT-802 Ready To Take Flight

 
AT-802 Serial No. 300

Just three years after the delivery of its 200th AT-802, the 300th Air Tractor AT-802 has rolled off the assembly line at the Air Tractor manufacturing facility beside Olney Municipal Airport.  The two-seat, amphibious, float-ready AT-802 will soon be transported across the Pacific Ocean to Ballidu, Western Australia for its new owner, Dunn Aviation.  It will be the fourth AT-802 to be added to that company’s aerial application and firefighting fleet.

“This is a another important milestone for Air Tractor, and one we are quite proud of,” says Leland Snow, president of Air Tractor, Inc. “It further demonstrates the major role that the AT-802 has come to play in aerial application and initial attack aerial firefighting operations all over the world in a very short period of time. We are very pleased that Dunn Aviation has given Air Tractor another vote of confidence by adding AT-802 Serial #300 to the Air Tractors already in their fleet”. 

Dunn Aviation Australia, established in 1986 and based in Ballidu, Australia, provides agricultural application services as well as offering emergency response services for aerial fire suppression.

Dunn Aviation Australia

Says Neville Dunn, owner and managing director, “With the Air Tractor AT-802's, AT-602's and other aircraft in our fleet, Dunn Aviation can provide a “one-stop shop” for all aerial agricultural and emergency services needs in Western Australia. Our company policy is to operate new equipment and maintain an unblemished dependability record. When it comes to dependability, the AT-802 is unmatched in our experience."

The AT-802/802A is the world's largest single engine aerial application aircraft, and its popularity reflects the industry's trend to larger, high-production turbine equipment. With a payload of 9,500 lbs, the AT-802 provides more working capacity than any other single-engine ag plane flying today.

“In 2002 Dunn Aviation put into operation its first AT-802 for aerial firefighting in Western Australia, and we are extremely pleased with its performance since then,” says Dunn.  “Our reputation has been built on our company's ability to offer a rapid response to our client's needs, whether they require ag spraying or aerial firefighting. In both areas the AT-802 has been a reliable and cost-efficient aircraft for us.” 

The 800-gallon capacity AT-802 can operate from small airports for quick ferry time and fuel economy, allowing operators like Dunn Aviation to establish multiple smaller bases to better provide fast, effective initial attack on small fires as well as for extended attack in support of ground crews.

During the Australian summer months Dunn Aviation aircraft are on standby 12 hours-a-day and can be airborne in between 5 and 15 minutes.  The company maintains four operations bases - around 80 miles apart - with two aircraft stationed at each base.

“Compared with other aircraft types”, says Dunn, “the low hourly cost of operation of the Air Tractors allows fire agencies to keep aircraft circling overhead during the latter stages of the fire, thus allowing any hop-overs or flare-ups to be quickly attacked and extinguished.”

All Dunn Aviation's Air Tractor aircraft operate on fires during summer months then switch roles to dry land wheat work during the Australian winter with several 802s being relocated to Europe each year for fire fighting duties.

“Along with the Air Tractor company, we at Dunn Aviation are honored to take delivery of the 300th AT-802,” said Dunn.  “It represents a milestone for both companies. And, hopefully, it will soon be time for us to begin talking with Air Tractor about AT-802 Serial #400.”

AT-802 Serial No. 300 assembly team