USFS Cancels P-3 Airtanker Contract

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Release No: 1127
Contact: (202) 205-1134
Twitter: @forestservice

US Forest Service Cancels Airtanker Contract with Aero Union
California company did not meet agency’s safety standards

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2011 -- The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it has terminated its contract with Aero Union of Sacramento, Calif., because the company failed to meet its contractual obligations. The company was providing six airtankers under exclusive-use contracts to the Forest Service.

"Our main priority is protecting and saving lives, and we can't in good conscience maintain an aviation contract where we feel lives may be put at risk due to inadequate safety practices” said Tom Harbour, director of the Forest Service’s Fire and Aviation Management program. “This contract termination notwithstanding, we possess the aircraft support needed for this year's fire season."

The Forest Service has access to additional aviation assets to meet operational needs. Two other private companies provide 11 large airtankers under exclusive-use contracts. In addition, there are two very large airtankers available through a “call when needed” contract, as well as eight military firefighting aircraft.

The five-year contract the Forest Service signed with Aero Union in 2008 required participation in a continued airworthiness program, which included a Fatigue and Damage Tolerance Evaluation and structural inspection program. In April 2011, Aero Union informed the Forest Service that the Federal Aviation Administration found the company was not in compliance with its mandated structural inspection program requirements.

Because of the extraordinary stresses placed on aircraft during aerial firefighting and to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure safety, the Forest Service adds requirements to its airtanker contracts that are specific to the agency’s firefighting mission. The Forest Service will not use aircraft that do not meet its requirements.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Source

Sacramento Bee article with Aero Union response

Wildlandfire Hotlist Forum Discussion

These are the only Type 1 (3000 gallon capacity) Large Air Tankers (LATs) in the US firefighting fleet, other than the US Air Force C-130 Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS).

Good for the USFS. We shouldn't be flying unsafe aircraft to fight fires.

I agree. The question is, are they really unsafe, after receiving permission to fly for the rest of the season?

Gourley said the FAA in April expressed some concerns about the company's flying certificates, which he equated to a driver's license, so Aero Union voluntarily grounded its fleet while the issue was sorted out. Soon after, the aircraft received permission to fly for the rest of the wildfire season.

His aircraft were last inspected six weeks ago, he said.

"And midseason, it was 'Oops, we changed our mind,'" he said. "We're kind of sitting here befuddled when everything has been approved."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/29/380446 ... z1TtjHeHPJ

How many times do the wings have to fall off these relics before they ground them?

When was the last time that the wings fell off of a P-3?

I totally agree that the planes used should be as safe as is reasonably possible.

I also think that the USFS has been totally negligent in not looking forward to facilitating newer aircraft for this purpose.

But, in this case, I am skeptical that it may be more politically, rather than safety, motivated.

I wasn't referencing the P-3 specifically, but old military aircraft used in firefighting.

I agree that there should be a better way, but I remain highly skeptical about the motivation behind this contract cancellation.

I sure hope that this doesn't result in any of us needlessly losing our homes or property.

I wasn't referencing the P-3 specifically, but old military aircraft used in firefighting.

P-2's and P-3's are the only former military aircraft used on federal contract. None of the other "relics" have been utilized for some time.....

Aero Union closing; Chico workers lose jobs
By LAURA URSENY - Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2011 12:13:46 AM PDT

Chico employees of Aero Union who were commuting to Sacramento were told Friday their jobs are gone and the air tanker business is being closed.
They were told they could pick up their final checks on Monday, according to an employee's wife, who contacted the Enterprise-Record.

Employees were told that the entire company was closing, according to the email.

Full Article

This ends 35% of the LATs in the US, and puts even more stress on the remaining 11 P-2s.

WayneH wrote: I wasn't referencing the P-3 specifically, but old military aircraft used in firefighting.

Yea, when was the last time a P-3 even crashed? More people have died in little piston poppers in a month than the entire history of firefighting.

Solution: We need people to stop living and using the areas where there are overgrowth of trees in the mountains. When a wildfire happens we should just let it burn itself out.

Solution: Borrow money from China so the National Forest Service take 20 years to develop a new fleet of aircraft that can hold tons of liquid and dive bomb into small and narrow canyons within mountainous terrain and employ Japanese kamikaze pilots.

Solution: Let the National Forest Service take over the FAA.

Solution: Abolish the Agency that poorly manages 193 million acres of public land.

Gee, I wonder why the Obama administration couldn't issue a temporary waiver - oh, the company must be an R donor. Another 100 jobs down the tubes by the Obama administration.