The 747 air tanker operated by Evergreen has received approval from the Interagency Air Tanker Board. This approval is required before an air tanker can be under contract for federal land management agencies. The aircraft also has a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for the modifications that were done to convert it into an air tanker.
The 747 can carry more than 20,000 of retardant and can fly at 600 mph. As far as we know, Evergreen does not have any contracts with any fire or land management agencies yet that would enable its use on fires.
Wildfire Today reported on March 17 that the California Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended that CalFire eliminate funding for the DC-10 “super tanker” due to budget problems in the state. The DC-10 is operated by 10 Tanker Air Carrier out of Victorville, California and can carry 12,000 gallons.
