I've just (11:10 AM on 8/1) been hearing Air Attack 690 radio testing with San Diego Fire on SDFD Command 7.
I've never heard that particular designator for an Air Attack before.
Air Attack 690
-
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:59 pm
I think you've got it. I just looked it up and the lead plane is supposed to be an Aero Commander 690. Also, today is August 1st and that would be a logical day for them to start. I guess they'll spend a month getting used to the area.
On the other hand, the same article said that the Super Scoopers are Canadair C-145's, and they're actually CL-415's.
On the other hand, the same article said that the Super Scoopers are Canadair C-145's, and they're actually CL-415's.
-
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:34 pm
I think this whole thing is just a political stunt by Ron Roberts. He wants to be able to tell the voters how he saved them from fires. What happens if there is another fire and these planes don't do anything useful? I'll bet Roberts won't take credit for them then.
I don't know why they need the lead plane that is costing $700,000 for 150 days. Didn't Cal Fire and USFS give up on using lead planes? I think the last time one was used here it collided with the tanker it was supposed to be leading (on approach to Ramona) and killed everybody on board both planes.
I think they would have been better off spending the money on a couple of big helicopters.
I don't know why they need the lead plane that is costing $700,000 for 150 days. Didn't Cal Fire and USFS give up on using lead planes? I think the last time one was used here it collided with the tanker it was supposed to be leading (on approach to Ramona) and killed everybody on board both planes.
I think they would have been better off spending the money on a couple of big helicopters.
-
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:34 pm
I heard Air Attack 690 dispatched to a fire today (3:45 PM 8/3) along with Copter 538, which is a Forest Service contract helicopter. The primary Air Attack (310) was already on the way to another reported fire.
690 was canceled when a unit got on the scene and didn't see anything. Copter 538 was diverted to the first fire.
So, apparently 690 is already acting as a back-up air attack.
690 was canceled when a unit got on the scene and didn't see anything. Copter 538 was diverted to the first fire.
So, apparently 690 is already acting as a back-up air attack.