Air Tractor Inc

An Air Tractor AT-802F amphibious “Fire Boss” is fighting fires on a contract for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This is the first time that a “Fire Boss” fire suppression scooper aircraft has been assigned to an aerial firefighting contract in the United States. The aircraft flew its first U.S. fire mission April 25, 2007 near Aitkin, Minnesota. The Fire Boss is on a 34-day exclusive use contract for the Minnesota DNR, with an on-call contract for the remainder of the 2007 fire season. AeroSpray, Inc. is the Fire Boss operator for the DNR.

“The ‘Fire Boss’ has been used extensively for firefighting in Canada and Europe, but this was its first operational mission in the United States,” said Sheldon Mack, DNR Aviation Supervisor. “We have the ability to use the Fire Boss both on its own and in conjunction with our CL215 water scoopers. It will give us another tool in our aviation toolbox,” says Mack.

The Fire Boss is an initial attack fire suppression aircraft that is capable of scooping up to 800 gallons of water from lakes and rivers near the fire. Wipaire, Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota designed and manufactures the floats that transform the Air Tractor AT-802F single engine air tanker into an amphibious fire-fighting scooper aircraft. According to Mark Mathisen of Fire Boss LLC, “This aircraft delivers cycle times and gallons per hour quantities far exceeding other aircraft at a fraction of the cost, both in acquisition and operating expense.” Operating from fire bases or from nearby lakes and rivers, the Fire Boss represents a new approach to the initial attack phase of spotting and stopping fires at their early stages. Its fast response capability, 150 mph ferry speed and low altitude maneuverability make it well suited for fighting wildland/urban interface fires, as well.

“The Fire Boss lends itself very well to hit the fire early and get it out before it gets big,” said Bob Wiplinger, President of Wipaire, Inc. He notes that following the destructive 2006 fire season in northern Minnesota, the DNR was ready to try the Fire Boss for the 2007 season. He reports that the Fire Boss is performing well. “Right now, the Fire Boss is getting to the fires before the CL-215s. It’s carrying a load of water right to the fire on its first load from the airport. The Fire Boss operates for about 1/30^th of the cost of a CL-215 and carries more than half of the water of those aircraft. Obviously, we think the Fire Boss is a smart addition to the DNR aerial firefighting fleet.”

On its first fire mission near Aitkin, Minnesota, the Fire Boss was called on scene after the fire had grown to 335 acres and had jumped initial fire lines. According to the Aitkin fire incident commander Brian Pisarek, the aircraft used a payload between 500 and 600 gallons and dropped with good accuracy. The nearest water source was approximately eight miles from the fire, and the Fire Boss loaded and returned to the drop zone within 10-15 minutes. In total, the Fire Boss dropped seven loads of water before being released from the fire.

“We’re happy to see the AT-802F Fire Boss working in the United States this year,” said Kristin Edwards, Air Tractor’s Vice-President, Sales. “They are being used extensively in Spain and Canada. The amphibious floats add another level of versatility to an already great fire fighting tool.”