This Just in: DC-10 Tanker 910 visiting MN, SD. and MT

direct link to video

direct link to video

These two videos show a DC-10 Air Tanker in action. There are two DC-10 Air Tankers, each can carry 11,600 gallons of retardant and can be refilled in about 10 minutes. I have watched some live streaming video of these magnificent aircraft working fires. They are something special to watch as they drop a long line of retardant on a fire.

I just now got a copy of a press release from 10 Tanker Air Carrier announcing that DC-10 Tanker 910  will be leaving Michigan this Monday, April 22 (after receiving "heavy maintenance") for Victorville, CA. On her way to Victorville she will visit four airports:

Brainard, Minnesota (BRD) on Monday (4/22) morning

Rapid City, South Dakota on Monday (4/22) afternoon

Billings, Montana on Tuesday (4/23) morning

Missoula, Montana on Tuesday (4/23) afternoon

According 10 Tanker CEO Rick Hatton,

The purpose of this tour is to familiarize more regional bases with the ease with which the DC-10 air tanker can be operated and its unmatched effectiveness in suppressing wildfires. We recently surveyed some 25 additional runways to ensure they are capable of handling our operation. Expanding the number of potential bases for the DC-10 during the upcoming fire season will allow the aircraft to be more  optimally positioned to fight fires.

A complete copy of the press release may be found here.

For those of you who live are near any of these airports, whether it be by auto or by airplane, this is a great chance to get to see this magnificent aircraft. I wish that I could be there to see her, and to take some photos, but that is not possible. Perhaps one day she will visit New Jersey or some where closer to me. In the meantime, I hope that some of you who are able to go and see her. 

Updated on April 22, 2013

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported in an article earlier today that there is a revised schedule for the  DC-10 T-910 visits because of snow in South Dakota. In addition, he reports that while tours for the public are not available, that the public should be able to view the DC-10 tanker. The revised schedule is:

Brainard, Minnesota (BRD) on Tuesday (4/23) morning

Rapid City, South Dakota on Tuesday (4/23) afternoon

Billings, Montana on Wednesday (4/24) morning

Missoula, Montana on Wednesday (4/24) afternoon

Mega Fires

direct link to video

I found this CBS 60 minute report on Mega Fires while I was looking at the NIFC channel on youtube. I found this report interesting, and I thought you might to. I'm not quite sure when this 60 minute report originally aired, but I think it is relevant today. Allow between 11 and 12 minutes to watch the video.

Brush fire burns five acres near Garden State Pkwy in NJ

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

direct link to nbcny news report and video

Earlier today New Jersey State Forest Fire Service Firefighters fought a five-acre brush fire along the Garden State Parkway in Old Bridge NJ. Here are two more news reports about the fire:

New Jersey dot com
Middletown NJ Patch

A little of this and a little of that

Douglas A-26 Invader

I wrote a series on the Douglas A-26 Invader a little over a month ago. I continue to do research on the Douglas A-26's service as a tanker in the U.S. and in Canada. I have been having a blast doing so. I still have a couple of irons in the fire, so to speak, so it will be awhile longer before I post the series on the A-26 as a tanker. As some of you no doubt know, the A-26 served as a tanker in Canada for a many years. I have enjoyed learning a little bit more about wildland firefighting in Canada, and at the same time, I am learning a bit of geography. I have had the privilege of some old and new friends who have flown the A-26 who have been helping me. Thank-you.

Spring Fire Season in NJ

We had a couple of days of rain the end of last week which I believe helped to calm things down for a bit. While things may have been a little quieter for the last few days, we all know that fire danger can change quickly this time of year.  The SEATs continue on contract in all three divisions in NJ, the ending date depending on the division, see the schedule at the right of this blog. Here is an article on the spring wildfire season and what we can do to reduce wildfire risk, from North Jersey dot com.

Prescribed Burns

The prescribed burn season here in New Jersey was over in March before the SEATS went on contract. However, I'd like to share a nice article that recently came across my electronic desk on the importance of prescribed burns in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, go to this Philly dot com article.

Speaking of prescribed burns, it is now or will soon be prescribed burn season in Vermont.  Apparently, at least in the central and southern part of Vermont, prescribed burn season is for two weeks only. Vermont is near and dear to my heart, so I do try to look out for news on anything related to wildfire activity including but not limited to prescribed articles. For more information on planned prescribed burns in Vermont read this article from the Bennington Banner.

Scenic flights

I don't write much about the scenic flights I take with some wonderful pilots. I try to go up every three weeks but that doesn't always work out. For various reasons, it has been about six weeks since I went on my last flight. It has been too long. I have been itching to get back in the air for a couple of weeks now. If everything works out, I hope to go on another scenic flight early next week. Looking forward to that.

The Not So Mundane

Spring is here and with spring comes spring chores, planting, and gardening. And the never ending weeding. I am in the process of getting estimates for a new roof, exciting, huh? 

And the best part about spring? Baseball. :)

Tragedy at the Boston Marathon

I am taking a time-out to send all those affected by the bombs that went off at the finish line at the Boston Marathon my thoughts, prayers, and loving intentions. Please join me. Thank-you.

US Forest Service Contracts for "Legacy" Airtankers

I am a bit late in writing about the status of the U.S. Forest Service's contracts for "Legacy" Airtankers. The U.S. Forest Service announced these contract awards on Wednesday, March 27. At the time that I first read about this contract award, I was a bit preoccupied with the death of Jeffrey Scheuerer and after that the start of the spring wildfire season here in New Jersey. With some rain on Wednesday night and again today provides the opportunity to write about this contract.

The recently announced "Legacy" Airtanker contract awards contracts to MInden Air for one Lockheed P2-V (T-48) and to Neptune Aviation for six Lockheed P2-V and one BAe-146-200. I take it that the term "Legacy" is referring to the Lockheed P2-V tankers as they have been around for quite a few years by now. 

As I recall, I first learned of the Legacy Airtanker contract award through Walt Darran's post on the Associated Aerial Firefighters website in their news and articles section in an article that may be found here. Around the same time, I read Bill Gabbert's writeup on the Legacy Airtanker award on his Fire Aviation Site in an article dated March 28th. Bill has a good summary of this contract and related issues so you might want to check it out.

Last year at this time, I found a listing the tankers (P2-V and BAe-146) under contract in 2012. I have not seen such a list for this year, and if and when I do, I'll post the list here as I did last year. Nor do I know the status of the DC-10 tankers or if the US Forest Service will ask for help from our friends in Canada as they did in 2011 and 2012. Finally, I don't know the status of the contracts for the next-generation tankers, I am hoping that these contract awards by the US Forest Service are announced and awarded soon because we need them. Hopefully I will be able to report back here on positive news about the availability of some of these tankers. We sure need them. In the meantime, stay safe!

Today's wildfire news in and environs

I want to write what will have to be a brief update on recent brush fire activity in NJ/PA/NY. I have to cut this short because I want to get this posted before a squall line and the attendant thunderstorms pass through my area in a little while. You understand. Stay safe everyone!

Brush fire in Hackensack Meadowlands near the New Jersey Turnpike. This is not a primary response area of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS but the NJFFS does provide mutual aid if the municipal firefighters request their help. I do not know if the affected municipalities requested aid from the NJFFS for these fires. As someone who used to live one of these towns, I can attest to periodic brush fires in the Meadowlands that can be challenging to fight because the terrain can be difficult to access.

Report from News 12 NJ on busy fire season in NJ (this may not be publicly available, but it is worth a shot)

Brush fires in Lehigh County PA, Lehigh County abuts northern New Jersey.

Fire in Harriman State Park in NY, Harriman Park is north of New York City.

I had to delete a link from Firehouse dot com reporting on brush fires on Long Island as the article is no longer available.

And from my friends at the Section B10 (NJFFS) website: in their current NJ wildfire activity section*, they reported on a 2-acre fire in an Ocean County park (Lakewood NJ), Bravo 1 (AT 602) made 3 drops. A short article on this fire may be found here.

*The current NJ wildfire activity section of the Section B10 website is updated every few days, so you may see different information from what I reported here when you access the site.

Revised on October 12, 2015 to removed a dead link.

Spring wildfire season in NJ: updates and tidbits

Yes we had yet another day of enhanced fire weather concerns in NJ today. I was busy running around today so I don't know about any major fires in NJ (100 acres+), but will be sure to report back here if I should hear of any later.

To the best of my knowledge, light to moderate initial attack activity in New Jersey continues.

Hampton Gate Fire
I am hearing from my friends at Downstown Aero and the Section B10 (NJFFS) website (current NJ wildfire activity section*) that the Hampton Gate Fire has burned 205 acres and is still at 75 percent containment in a remote and inaccessible area of the Wharton State Forest in Tabernacle NJ. See also this updated thread on the wildland fire hotlist.

Brush Fires in Morris County New Jersey
The brush fires in Morris County New Jersey may be out, as reported by the Star Ledger. Speculation is that a passing freight train may have caused the fire.

Other Smaller Wildland Fires
The  Star Ledger referred to a small wildland fire in the Washington Township Area of Morris County on Sunday.

A 2.5 acre fire in Oakland in northern Bergen County on Monday where at least one of the Ag-Cats assigned to Division A made a drop, see this article from the Daily Record.

This past Sunday, my friends from Downstown Aero told me that the two Ag Cats in Division A (Alpha 3 & 4) had made multiple drops on a fire south of Andover NJ. I saw on the current NJ wildfire activity section* of the Section B10 (NJFFS) website that the location of these drops was in Warren County (Allamuchy) and that the fire was of an undetermined size.

I did manage to spend about 30 minutes listening to online scanner feed from New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division A. I may be wrong but it sounded like one of the Ag Cats (Alpha 4) made a drop on a fire at an unidentified location (at least I could not determine the location.

Downstown Aero Crop Services
And finally, last but by no means least. Read about Downstown Aero, their long service as a tanker contractor and their new Turbo Cat in this article on airtanker dot org.

*The current NJ wildfire activity section of the Section B10 website is updated every few days, so you may see different information from what I reported here when you access the site.

Brushfires in Morris County near NJ Transit tracks

I wrote earlier today about week 2 of our spring fire season here in NJ where I wrote at the end of the article about a wildfire that is currently burning in Budd Lake NJ near a NJ Transit train line.

Here is a video from the Daily Record of one of the Ag Cats (either Alpha 3 or 4) making a drop.



direct link to video and link to latest Daily Record article on fire (includes a photo or two and the video).

As I was listening to the NJ Forest Fire Service Division A scanner feed at about 4:30 PM, I heard that the Air Tractor 602 (Air Tractor 602) was released from the Budd Lake Fire back to Coyle Field in Division B. I confirmed this with my friends from Downstown Aero, who told me that Alpha 3 & 4 (piston Ag-Cats) will continue on spot fires.

Just after Bravo 1 finished up and was starting to fly back to Coyle, I heard someone from Division A (perhaps an incident commander?) say to Bravo 1:

Bravo 1 it was a pleasure having you, thanks for helping us out.

To this, I can only say ditto, thanks for your help Bravo 1.

Week 2 of Spring Fire Season in NJ

Our SEATs have been on contract here in NJ for a little over a week now, the exact start date depending on the Division. My friends at Downstown Aero have told me that there were a few instances in all three divisions where the SEATs flew initial attack on smaller fires. I also know from reading the current NJ wildfire activity section* on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Section B10 website that there has been light to moderate initial attack activity for the past week or so, where initial attack could involve ground crews as well as SEATs. 

The only wildfire in NJ of 100 acres or more that I know about (there could well be others that I don't know about) is the Hampton Gate Fire that I wrote about yesterday. Recall that two SEATs (Turbo Cat and Air Tractor 602) As I write this, the latest information that I have on this fire is from the Wildland Fire hotlist - eastern region forums where they report that fire remains at 75 percent containment having burned 150 acres. There remains unburned fuels in the interior of the fire that are inaccessible, there is no threat posed. Containment will not be reached until these fuels burn themselves out. The Star Ledger published a short article on recent wildfire activity on April 7, go here to read the article.

As I write this, I have been listening to online scanner from broadcastify for NJFFS Division A. I think, but am not 100 percent certain, that one or two of the SEATs based at Andover Aeroflex have made at least one drop, possibly more on fires. I have no idea of the size or location of this fire, if the fire is small and contained quickly then I may not know because I don't have easy access to that sort of information. What is important is that the SEATs may be flying in Division A. SEATs are deployed to fly initial attack in hopes of assisting the ground crews in knocking the fire out while the fire is small in size. If I should hear more concrete information about what I am currently listening to on the NJFFS Division A scanner, I'll provide an update to this article. 

*The current NJ wildfire activity section of the Section B10 website is updated every few days, so you may see different information from what I reported here when you access the site.

April 8, 3:40 PM

Right around the time that I originally posted this article, I started to hear reports of smokes on the NJFFS Division A scanner feed about smokes in the Budd Lake area of Morris County. Some of the smokes were near a New Jersey Transit line. I continued listening, hearing that the two Ag Cats (Alpha 3 and 4) had finished up with another fire and were being deployed to the Budd Lake fires. I confirmed this with my friends at Downstown Aero who confirmed that Bravo 1 was then on her way from Coyle Field (Division B). I just saw footage on News 12 NJ on TV (web access restricted, nothing on web when I wrote this) who sent their news helo to the area. I saw the fire near the train tracks from the News 12 helo footage. As the news anchors reporting on the fire, I saw Bravo 1 (Air Tractor 602) fly over the fire from the helo footage. So far, I can only link to this article from NJ dot com and another article from the Daily Record (covering a small fire that burned on Sunday as well as today's Budd Lake fire). I'll post an article later tonight with any updates and hopefully some news footage that I can either embed or link to.

Hampton Gate Fire in Wharton State Forest

I was laying low for a couple of days and am back now. I first read about the Hampton Gate fire that has burned around 150 acres in this thread in the wildland fire hotlist. As I understand it the fire was first spotted in a remote and difficult to access area of the Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens of NJ on Saturday afternoon and is at least 75% contained. As I write this the NJFFS Section B10 website is reporting in their current wildfire activity section that two SEATs worked the fire yesterday.You will have to scroll down to see the current NJ wildfire activity section of the B10 website, and they update this current wildfire activity section periodically so you may see different fire activity when you visit.

The slide show that is embedded at the top of this post is from myfoxphilly, here is a direct link to their article and the slideshow; as I write this myfoxphilly is reporting that the fire is contained.

I'll try to follow up on news of this fire as the day goes on and will update this article as appropriate.

April 7, 7:36 PM

My friends at Downstown Aero confirmed that two SEATs worked the Hampton Gate fire for two hours on Saturday, April 6: Bravo-2 (Turbo Cat) and Charlie 1 (Air Tractor 602). Eddie Carter, the pilot of Charlie-1 took a photo of Bravo 2 over the Hampton Gate fire yesterday. Downstown completed the turbo conversion on this Turbo Cat (N6762Q) over the winter. She has a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-28, 680 hp engine with a tank capacity of 400 gallons. She is real purty! They gave me permission to share this photo with you. 

According to the contract schedule, she should be on contract in Division A (designation will be Alpha-2) starting April 8 through April 29. I am so glad that we will have her in my part of NJ for three weeks during the spring fire season. 

Stay safe!

Bravo-2 (Turbo Cat) over Hampton Gate fire (Tabernacle NJ) on April 6, 2013

April 8, 1:40 PM

The latest information that I have on this fire is from the Wildland Fire hotlist - eastern region forums where they report, in a post made about 10 AM this morning, that fire remains at 75 percent containment having burned 150 acres. There remains unburned fuels in the interior of the fire that are inaccessible, there is no threat posed. Containment will not be reached until these fuels burn themselves out.

Brush fire in Minquadale DE under control

direct link to story and video on 6ABC Action News

The fire in Deleware that was referred to in yesterday's post on Red Flag Conditions is under control.

Red Flag warnings for all of NJ and portions of adjacent states

direct link to story from ABC6 Action News with video

We have had about three days so far this spring fire season with elevated fire concerns, but today is our first day of red flag warnings here in New Jersey, Deleware,  and portions of adjacent states. As I write this, I have been listening to online scanner feed from broadcastify for New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Division A. New Jersey Forest Fire Service Division B online scanner feed may be found here. I'd like to thank my friend from NJFFS Division B Section 10 for pointing me to the links for these scanner feeds.

As was the case in prior fire seasons here in New Jersey, when I hear of major wildfire activity here in New Jersey I'll report back here. I am thankful that we have one SEAT on contract in all three NJFFS Divisions. The fire that you see in the video is (or was in Deleware), I'll look around to see if I can find any additional information about this fire.

For my friends at the NJFFS, be safe, LCES. Thanks for all you do to keep us safe here in New Jersey.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
324 PM EDT WED APR 3 2013

NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055-060>062-070-071-101>106-040200-
/O.CON.KPHI.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-130404T0200Z/
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-COASTAL OCEAN-
SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-
DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
324 PM EDT WED APR 3 2013

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* LOCATIONS...ALL OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND ALL OF NEW JERSEY
  IN THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY FORECAST AREA.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 20 PERCENT.

* HIGH TEMPERATURES...MOSTLY 45 TO 50 EXCEPT 35 TO 40 HIGHEST
  TERRAIN OF THE POCONOS AND FAR NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY.

* IMPACTS...THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR RAPID WILDFIRE SPREAD
  THROUGH 10 PM THIS EVENING DUE TO THE GUSTY WINDS... LOW RELATIVE
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FINE FUELS. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

* OUTLOOK THURSDAY...HUMIDITY WILL AGAIN BE VERY LOW THURSDAY
  AFTERNOON... GENERALLY UNDER 25 PERCENT WITH MINIMUM RELATIVE
  HUMIDITY POSSIBLY A FEW PERCENT LOWER...NEAR 15 PERCENT INLAND.
  THE WIND WILL BE MUCH LESS...TURNING SOUTHWEST TO SOUTH WITH
  GUSTS UNDER 20 MPH.

Firefighter Jeff Scheuerer honored for his service to New Jersey

Gov. Christie's proclamation honoring FF Scheuerer

Governor Christie issued a proclamation directing flags to be lowered at the State House in Trenton from Tuesday, April 2, 2013 to Monday, April 8, 2013 to honor Scheuerer. 

“Jeffrey Scheuerer was an outstanding young man who had a remarkable sense of duty and commitment to our state and to his community,’’ said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “His service began as a young teen and continued for the rest of his life. He is a role model for all of us when it comes to the value of community service.’’    

A copy of the news release announcing Gov. Christie's proclamation may be found here.

NJFFS Division A Wildland Fire Fatality - Funeral for Jeff Scheuerer

RIP Jeff Scheuerer



direct link to video from WFMZ 69

photo gallery 1 from Hunterdon County Democrat -- the procession to the Church

photo gallery 2 from Hunterdon County Democrat -- just outside the Church

Hunterdon County Democrat article on Jeff Scheuerer's funeral

Note: the video that I embedded above may not work in all browsers. I got it to work in firefox and safari but it did not seem to work in Chrome.

Added April 4: video of funeral procession by Brain McCarthy reported by NJ101.5

NJFFS Division A Wildland Fire Fatality - Viewing

I took some time out from my writing and research to go and pay my respects to Jeff Scheuerer. You may recall from my last blog entry that Jeff Scheuerer was working on a prescribed burn with Division A of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service on the morning of March 28th when he was struck by a car. He did not survive his injuries. Jeff was also a long-time member of the Readington Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) where he served as their safety officer. I believe that the truck you see on the right side of the photo is from the RVFD.

I got there early, so I took a little time to get this photo for you of the two fire trucks parked outside the Kearns Funeral Home in Whitehouse New Jersey where the viewing was. As expected, there was a large number of firefighters from both the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) and the Readington Volunteer Fire Department. There was an honor guard from the NJFFS and the RVFD. Before I signed the guest book, I went over and paid my respects to two members of the RVFD who were standing outside the door of the parlor. I went in and paid my respects, taking time to look at all of Jeff's firefighting gear and the photos. I found out that he served as District Warden, NJFFS Division A, Section 8, District 6.

I went over and paid my respect to Jeff's family, and then went to the back of the parlor. I watched members of the Readington Township NJ police department go up in groups of three to pay their respects. Following the police department, the wildland firefighters from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service went up in groups of three to pay their respects.

I found the whole experience profoundly moving. To my friends at the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the Readington Volunteer Fire Department, I don't know whether or not it was important for you to know that I was there. I tried to be quiet and respectful, wanting to give you the space that you need at a time like this. But I was there and I do care.

For Jeff's family, friends, fellow firefighters, and all those who love him, I continue to keep you in my thoughts, prayers, and loving intentions.

Jeff, I will not forget you and what you were doing to keep us safe. I drove by your firehouse, and was touched by the purple bunting and the flags at half mast. I wanted to take a picture, but the road was too narrow and it wasn't safe to stop. There were two engines from neighboring fire departments, perhaps providing coverage to your service area.

NJFFS Division A Wildland Fire Fatality

It is with profound sadness that I write today about the death of New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) Firefighter Jeffrey Scheuerer On March 28, 2013. Jeffrey, a wildland firefighter with Division A of the NJFFS died after being struck and killed by an automobile while doing a prescribed burn at the Round Valley Reservoir in Clinton Township, Hunterdon County New Jersey. Jeffrey was also a member of the Readington Volunteer Fire Department.

The winds shifted resulting in heavy smoke near the road that may have contributed to the accident.

I live in Division A and am quite familiar with Round Valley Reservoir and the area surrounding the reservoir. Like many other places in New Jersey, that area had seen a lot of fallen trees as a result of Super Storm Sandy or the June 29 Derecho. Jeffrey died trying to keep the Clinton Township residents safe. Jeffrey, you won't be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeffrey's family and friends, the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, and the Readington Volunteer Fire Department.

Story from the Hunterdon Democrat

Story from CBS2 in New York

Wildfire Today story

Super Storm Sandy Tree Damage in Stokes State Forest (Branchville NJ)

I came across this video courtesy of my friends at the NJ Forest Fire Service Section B10 website, they posted the video on their video of the week page the week that I posted this article. Like a lot of places in New Jersey, Stokes State Forest in northern New Jersey had an enormous number of fallen trees during Super Storm Sandy on Oct. 29, 2012. Stokes State Forest is located in Sussex County NJ. It is a beautiful forest, I've been hiking their in years past. The video speaks to the enormous number of fallen trees in Stokes, the fire danger posed by fallen trees, and how some of the removed fallen trees will be used. 

The video is from NJTodayOnline, a direct link to the video may be found here.

Control Tower at Ramona on FAA list of ATC Towers to be closed

I posted a short article on  March 16 about the then possible closure of the Air Traffic Control Tower at Ramona Air Attack Base linking to a letter that Walt Darran of the Associated Aerial Firefighters wrote to the FAA urging them to keep the Tower at Ramona open for the safety of aerial firefighters and other aviation interests. Well, as I am sure that some of you already know by now, the FAA released a list of 149 Contract ATC Towers to be closed this past Friday.

The tower at Ramona is on the list of towers to be closed, according to a March 21st article from the Ramona Sentinel, the FAA will begin to close these towers starting April 7 over a four week period. The Ramona Sentinel article has a nice quote from San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob giving voice to local concerns about the closure:

This is so critical. We will continue to make the FAA aware it is a wrong-headed decision. …. We want to prevent another mid-air collision, another disaster. Lives are at stake. (Supervisor Jacob, Ramona Sentinal, March 21, 2013).

Added on October 12, 2015. The March 21, 2013 article from the Ramona Sentinal is no longer available on line, I have removed direct links.

I don't know how many towers at Air Attack/Tanker Bases are on the FAA list of closures. I do know that Fox Field (CA) is on the closure list, as is Klamath Falls (OR) are on the list, and I am pretty certain that both are tanker bases. Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation posted the list of California towers that are on the closure list, in an article he posted on March 22. One of his commenters remarked that both Ramona and Fox Field are Tanker Bases. NBC San Diego reported on the closure of the tower at Ramona and a tower at Brown Field in San Diego (not a tanker base) in a March 22 report.

Mike Archer of Fire Bombers Publications provided a link to a March 24 article from KPIC on the five ATC Towers in OR due to close, including the tower at Klamath Falls. 

I am not exactly in a position to state with any certainty whether or not other ATC towers at other air attack/tanker bases in the U.S. are on the FAA list of 149 Contract ATC Towers to be closed. If I should become aware of additional ATC towers at air attack/tank bases that are due to close, I'll report back here.

Update on March 26, 2013: Just today I revisited a March 22 article from the AOPA regarding the 149 Towers that the FAA is planning to close starting on April 7. In the course of reading the article from the AOPA I came across a link to an FAA list of 24 FAA Contract Towers that will remain open; it seems that the tower at Klamath Falls OR is included on this list of towers that will remain open. 

NJ Prescribed Burning Season (2013)

A nice video from FlyingPhilsPhotos showing a prescribed burn done by the NJ Forest Fire Service in the Pine Barrens west of Toms River NJ. The video was shot from the air at an altitude of about 3,000 feet.

direct link to video

Go here (courtesy of the wildland fire hotlist) to see the Feb. 28, 2013 press release from Gov. Christie's office announcing the 2013 prescribed burn season in NJ.

Here is a March 4 article and video from mycentralnj of a prescribed burn done in Jamesburg (Middlesex County NJ) in Division B. And here is a March 1 article on another prescribed burn in Burlington County NJ from phillyburbs.

I know that it may be a little late to be posting about this year's prescribed burning season in New Jersey, but I do want to acknowledge the work that the NJFFS does each year doing prescribed burns before the spring fire season, especially this year after so many fallen trees after Super Storm Sandy and the June 29-30, 2012 Derecho.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service contract aircraft start to go on contract in a few days (starting March 29) for the spring fire season. I'll do my best to keep an eye and ear out on wildfire activity during the upcoming spring fire season here in NJ and will report back here.

Flood Safety Awareness Week

Regular readers of my blog know that I sometimes post about flood events in New Jersey and elsewhere in the Northeastern corner of the United States. Some of you also know that I doing various things to learn more about weather, including reading various materials from the National Weather Service (USA). If any of you are regular readers of National Weather Service (NWS) webpages, whether they be national or your local NWS office then you may know that this week (March 18 to 22) is Flood Safety Awareness Week, at least in the U.S., please take a moment to check out this site as the NWS has put together some very good materials on flood safety.

Flood safety is a very big deal to me because the father of one of my high school classmates died  in his automobile in a flooded underpass during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Please don't let this happen to you. Turn around and don't drown. As little as six inches of water can knock you down or cause you to lose control of your car. Two feet of water can cause even a large SUV to be swept off the road.

Sure, I admit that there have been times when I have driven through flooded areas that I had no business being in, I was lucky. Over the last several months being safe has taken on new meanings to me, so I am trying to do all I can to be safe. And that means not playing on the edge of the cliff, even though I've lived to tell about it. So, I no longer drive through any flooded areas. I turn and around and don't drown (TADD).

Please turn around and don't drown. Yeah, if you are living in a remote rural area this might mean driving many miles out of your way. Been there down that in Vermont a couple of times. I arrived late, but I arrived alive.

Please take about 3 minutes to watch this video on the dangers of flash floods and why it is important to turn around and don't drown.


direct link to video

NJ Forest Fire Service 2013 Contract Aircraft Schedule

I am happier than I usually am to see the NJ Forest Fire Service 2013 Contract Aircraft Schedule. As I have driven around my little corner of western New Jersey in the months following Super Storm Sandy, I have seen a lot of fallen trees of all sizes in forested areas near the roads I travel. Many of these fallen trees in forested areas remain where they are after the winds from Super Storm Sandy brought them down. I don't want to forget the wind damage that southern NJ saw from the June 29, 2012 Derecho. I probably can not begin to imagine the tree damage in some of the larger forests in New Jersey.

I have been wondering what the spring fire season will bring to us in New Jersey as we have seen below average snow fall totals over much or all of NJ so far this winter. Some of you might have heard about some pretty substantial snow storms that affected the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.. I want to speak a little about what our snowfall has been like in New Jersey so far this winter to address possible misconceptions. That is, as far as I know, New Jersey has not seen any one sno storm with the substantial snow accumulations that portions of New England and Long Island have seen (2 to 3 feet+) this winter. Yes, areas of northern New Jersey saw accumulations of 10 to 14 inches during one or two snow storms, but not the 2 or 3 feet that other areas saw. With the possible exception of extreme northern areas of New Jersey, I believe that we have had a below average snow fall so far. As I write this, we are getting another mixed precipitation event in New Jersey. Perhaps 4 to 6 inches of snow up in northern New Jersey with lower amounts in central New Jersey and all rain elsewhere in New Jersey. I am in the 2 to 4 inch forecasted snow band.

Since it is snowing as I write this, it is a little hard to think about fire danger today. Yet we had one day list week with heightened fire danger, and I'm sure that we will get more. All it takes is about ten days (maybe less) of dry weather, the soil will dry out. and we will be ripe for fire danger in northern NJ. In the Pine Barrens and elsewhere in southern NJ, the soil is sandy and can dry out in a far shorter time then up north.

I am very happy that we will have an Ag-Cat here in my corner of NJ (Division A). If I luck out and get to see her, I'll try to get some photos to share here.

Just today, I got notice of the NJ Forest Fire Service's 2013 Contract Aircraft Schedule. I have included the schedule at the end of this article. I want to talk a little about the Ag-Cats. The Ag-Cat marked "400 Ag-Cat" is a turbine Ag-Cat. My friends at Downstown Aero did the turbine conversion over the fall and winter. She carries 400 gallons of water/foam with a 680 hp engine. The piston Ag-Cats carry 300 gallons of water/foam with a 600 hp engine. They have some photos of the conversion on their facebook page (should be publicly available), their photos of the conversion may be found here. Downstown shot a video of her first flight that is also available on their facebook page, go here to see the video.

DIVISION A:

AEROFLEX, (ALPHA-3) 300 AGCAT, MARCH 30 - APRIL 7

AEROFLEX, (ALPHA-2) 400 AGCAT, APRIL 8-29

DIVISION B:

COYLE FIELD,(BRAVO-3) AGCAT 300, APRIL 1- APRIL 7

COYLE FIELD, (BRAVO-1) 602 AIR TRACTOR, APRIL 8- MAY 8

DIVISION C:

DOWNSTOWN, (CHARLIE-3) AGCAT 300, MARCH 29-APRIL 7

DOWNSTOWN (CHARLIE-1) 602 AIR TRACTOR,  APRIL 8-29

DOWNSTOWN, (CHARLIE-2) AGCAT 400, APRIL 30-MAY 12

Control Tower at Ramona Air Attack Base due to close

Ramona Air Attack Base

I have been been aware that many air traffic control towers (ATC) at smaller airports in the U.S. are due to close because of the sequester. For example, at least two towers in northern New Jersey are due to close, see this article on NJ dot com. I was distressed when I read an article on Michael Archer's Firebombers Publications Blog this past Wednesday (March 13) from News 7 in San Diego that the air traffic control tower at CAL Fire's Ramona Air Attack Base. Another article on the pending closure of the Ramona ATC tower may be found here.

I have included a couple of photos that I took at Ramona Air Attack Base when I visited Ramona Air Attack Base early in the Summer of 2012 Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the affected air traffic control tower.

I want all pilots, including pilots flying aerial wildland firefighting aircraft, to be safe. I was very interested to read that Walt Darran, chairman of the Safety Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Associated Aerial Firefighters has submitted a comment to the FAA urging the FAA to take the ATC at Ramona off their closure list and to keep the ATC operational. Walt writes of two mid-air collisions at Ramona, one as recently as 1995. Both mid-airs happened before the ATC was open. Walt says in part:

Maintaining an operational FAA control tower at Ramona is essential not only for the safety of pilots and aircraft, but also to maintain an orderly and efficient flow of aerial firefighting aircraft to protect lives and property subject to wildfires in the surrounding area.

I hope you take a few moments to read Walt's comment to the FAA that may be found here.

Douglas A-26 Invader - Learning about her service as a tanker

As I write this I am still very much in the process of learning about the the Douglas A-26 Invader's long service as a air tanker in the United States and in Canada. I am enjoying the process of learning about her service as an air tanker, a process that I expect to be engaged in over the course of the next 2 to 4 weeks, perhaps a little longer depending on what is happening in the world of aerial wildland firefighting as we enter the spring fire season here in NJ in a few weeks. And of course fire season is already under way in other parts of the country, and I do try to keep an eye out of current wildland fire activity, thanks to my friends at Fire Publications Blog and Wildfire Today and other friends who send me articles of goings on in their part of the world. Oh, and I should not forget the good folk at the Wildland Fire Hotlist.

Anyway, I have learned something about the A-26 from reading Allan MacNutt's book, Altimeter Rising (2000) , where he writes about flying A-26 tankers for Conair and Air Spray. I know that Air Spray was still using the A-26 as a tanker in 1992 when Allan celebrated 50 years in aviation (Altimeter Rising, pp. 238-242). 

And of course, there is Linc Alexander's book, Fire Bombers into Hell (2010), some of you may recall that I interviewed Linc in November 2010 go here and you will need to scroll down to the bottom the bottom of the page to read the first article. Linc had some time in the A-26 and he also writes about in his book. 

I have learned from reading a book (with a video) called Fire Bombers in Action by Frederick A. Johnsen (2010) that the A-26 was first used as a tanker in the U.S. in the 1960s, but by the 1980s, there were not that many in service in the U.S (p.48).  Johnsen also has a listing of tanker call signs and registrations in his Appendix A (pp. 123-133).

Thanks to a friend who pointed me to a History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service (in three parts), go to this webpage of the BC Forest Service - Centenary Society for more information and links to download this three part series. Part 2 is on Air Tankers. I learned from reading Part 2 of the History of Aviation in the BC Forest Service that Conair first flew the A-26 as an air tanker in 1970 (p.12), in 1978 Conair had ten A-26 tankers (16), and Conair retired their A-26 tankers from fire bombing after the 1985 season (17).

As I said, I am still learning about this magnificent historic air tanker, and I have some old and new friends who are helping me as I continue to learn. I am having a blast! I'm not quite sure where this process will take me, but I promise that I will share the results in a series of articles in what I hope will about 4 to 6 weeks down the road. 

Thank-you so much for your patience. 

Douglas A-26 Invader: firebombing tankers

The Douglas A-26 Invader saw long service as a tanker flying wildfires in the U.S. and Canada. I'm not yet ready to write about her service as I am currently doing some more research on her service as a tanker. It is possible that I'll write more article on the A-26 as a tanker before taking a time out to finish my research and write a follow-up series focusing on her service as a tanker.

In the meantime, I had originally shared a nice video of what I believe are a group of A-26 tankers from Air Spray in Canada. I'm not quite sure of the date, but I believe that this falls into the classification of historical tankers as I believe that it is been several years since the A-26 retired from service as a tanker in Canada. To the best of my knowledge, Douglas A-26 Invaders have not been used as a tanker in the U.S. since the late 70s or early 80s. More on these details in a later post.

The video is a little over 14 minutes long. I believe, but am not certain that the Arnie Schreder that you hear on the radio communications in the video is the same Arnie Schreder who was the Chief Pilot for Buffalo Air (Ice Pilots NWT); Arnie of Buffalo Air died in May of 2012 (go here to see an article).

Added on October 16, 2016: Unfortunately the video that I originally shared here is no longer available, so I have removed the link.

Douglas A-26 Invader in flight

Edited on October 21, 2016. Unfortunately the nice video that I had originally shared here showing the Douglas A-26 Invader is no longer available. 

Douglas A-26 Invader: First flight of restored A-26

direct link to video

This is a nice video focusing on the first flight of a Douglas A-26 Invader, serial number 44-34104. The restoration is being done by volunteers from the Historical Aircraft Squadron in Lancaster, Ohio. In the video, you will see a short flight of this A-26 followed by some pictures. For more information visit the Historical Aircraft Squadron Webpage

Coming attractions:

March 8: A-26 in flight

March 11: A-26 tankers (still being developed)

Douglas A-26 Invader: A-26A Counter Invader

direct link to video

I found this video a little while ago of a Douglas A-26A Counter Invader that was used in the Vietnam War. In this 8+ minute video you will see her start her engines and taxi. Then you will go on a short tour of this A-26A Counter Invader starting with the cockpit. You should go to the about page for this video on youtube and click on show more to read a little more about her.

I'm adjusting the timeline for the articles in this series about the Douglas A-26 Invader. I'll be posting a new schedule, probably in a couple of days.

Next up on March 6: Restoring a Douglas A-26 and her first flight after restoration.

Flying the Douglas A-26 Invader

direct link to video

I'd like to thank a friend of mine from Canada who used to fly the A-26 as a tanker for sharing this video with me. He said that he agrees with the techniques presented here and wanted me to share this video with you.

Douglas A-26 Invader: Military History and Specifications

direct link to video

I have great respect for an airplane that has such a long history. The Douglas A-26 Invader saw service in the last year or so of World War II, the Korean War, and the War in Vietnam. She saw a couple changes in her designation. As I understand it, she started out as the Douglas A-26 Invader in World War II, where the "A" stands for "attack. In 1948 the B-26 Marauder was deactivated, and the Douglas A-26 Invader was redesigned the B-26. She kept that designation until sometime around 1962 when she was again redesignated as the A-26.

For more about the military history with specifications of the A-26 check out the MilitaryFactory's page on the Douglas A-26/B-26 Invader. If you are interested of her WW II history, you might want to check out World-War-2-Planes page on the Douglas A-26 Invader. The Warbirds Registry maintains a listing of Douglas A-26 Aircraft by named aircraft and by serial numbers on this webpage with links for more information. Finally, wikipedia's article on the Douglas A-26 Invader may be found here.

Douglas A-26 Invader -- Introduction

I am not quite sure when I was first introduced to the Douglas A-26 Invader, so to speak. It may have been through reading Linc Alexander's Firebombers into Hell, or perhaps through a couple of books about tankers that I have. Or it could have been through watching the movie Always, where Richard Dreyfuss' character (Pete Sandiich) flys an A-26 tanker. After meeting a retired tanker pilot friend who used to fly an A-26 tanker (among others he flew) for Conair, I began to get this magnificent airplane a little better. So, I am writing a series of articles on the Douglas A-26 Invader. 

My timeline for posting these articles follows. I am still working on articles in this series, which will include embedded videos as I write this. So, I will be adding to the outline of articles in this series over the next couple of weeks.

Feb. 27: military history and specs

March 1: flying the A-26

March 4: restoring an A-26

March 6: A-26 in flight

March 8: intro to the A-26 as a tanker

What is coming up -- About the Douglas A-26 Invader

direct link to video

direct link to video. I think that you are seeing the A-26 serial # 41-39359 in this video. If I am correct in my identification you can get more information about her on this warbirds registry page.

These videos are a sneak peak about the next historical airtanker that I will be writing about, the Douglas A-26 Invader. I'll be starting writing about this airplane starting this Monday (February 25) and continuing through to about March 6 or 8.  I'll be back on Feb. 25 with an introduction to these articles on the A-26 along with a tentative outline. Stay tuned

News about tankers in 2013

I don't know about you, but I've been waiting for word on the status of the contracts for the P-2V tankers, the DC-10 tankers, and the next generation tankers. As I understand the existing contracts, e.g. for the P-2V tankers and the DC-10 tankers, expired at the end of 2012.

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported in an Feb. 20 article:

Since the U.S. Forest Service has not awarded any new contracts for next-generation, legacy, or very large air tankers and all existing contracts expired December 31, 2012, this left none available as the wildland fire season began in the southwest United States.

In order to mitigate this self-inflicted crisis, the USFS just extended Neptune’s 2012 expired contract through March 5 and Minden’s contract through April 22, according to information from Jennifer Jones of the agency’s office in Boise. The contract for the DC-10 has also been extended (Bill's complete Feb. 20 article may be found here.)  

Michael Archer of Firebombers Publications included a link to an article from the Almogordo News reporting that Neptune Aviation are in the process of conducting training and proficiency flights in and near Almamogordo NM starting on Feb. 20 through Feb. 22.

I'll continue to be on the watch for more news of the availability of the P2-V, DC-10 and the next generation tankers and will post updates of any related news that I run across.

SEATs: view from cockpit

direct link to video

I was spending some time yesterday going through videos of airtankers in action when I came across this video. As I have been in holiday mode the last couple of days, I thought this would might be a good time to share this video with you. Enjoy!

Power of Nature: Wildfires

In 1997 Discovery Channel broadcast a series known as Raging Planet focusing on the power of nature. Season two was broadcast in 2008, see this Wikipedia stub on Raging Planet. The Discovery Channel has a webpage where you may access video clips from different episodes. You may purchase the Raging Planet DVD from the Discovery Store. 

I'd like to thank a friend for point to some clips from the Raging Planet episode focusing on fires. I thought that some of you might be interested in these clips, so I am sharing them here. These clips have certainly wetted my appetite to see the full episode as well as other episodes from Raging Planet.

Clip 1: Three Types of Fires

direct link to Three Types of Fires

Clip 2: Air Support

direct link to Air Support

Clip 3: Ground Forces

direct link to Ground Forces

Clip 4: How a fire storm forms

direct link to How a Fire Storm Forms

Senator Mark Udall meets with Fire Chiefs

direct link to video

I found this video report from CBS in Denver Colorado interesting and I hope you do as well. 

Avialsa Air Tractor's: 802 and Fireboss

direct link to video on youtube, one of a series of airtanker videos recently made available on the new Associated Aerial Firefighters youtube channel

This is a video of an Avialsa AT-802 and a Fire Boss. Avialsa Air Tractor's fly fires. I don't know about you, but I love watching Air Tractors. Air Tractors hold a special place in my heart because I have met the AT-802's little brother, the AT-602 up close and personal thanks to my friends at Downstown Aero. I could spend all day watch Air Tractors fly. I would love to see a Fire Boss up close and personal, never have. Perhaps one day.

Iron 44 Crash - Sikorsky S-61N (August 5, 2008)

direct link to video

On August 5, 2008 a Carson Helicopters Sikorsky S-61N then under contract with the U.S. Forest Service crashed on take-off, nine of thirteen on board were killed. The accident helicopter was working a fire near the Iron Complex in a remote area of the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest northwest of Redding CA. She had already made two trips transporting wildland firefighting crews to safe locations. At about 7:30 PM, the S-61N helo had picked up a third load of firefighters and was on her  initial takeoff climb after departure when the main rotor assembly lost power and crashed. 

The nine who died that day are:

Jim Ramage, 64, from Redding, CA -- USFS Inspector Pilot, Shasta Trinity National Forest

Roark Schwanenberg, 54, from Lostine, Oregon -- Pilot, Carson Helicopters

From Grayback Forestry (7 employees)

Shawn Blazer, 30, from Medford, Oregon

Scott Charlson, 25, from Phoenix, Oregon

Edrik Gomez, 19, from Ashland, Oregon

Matt Hammer, 23, from Grants Pass, Oregon

Steven Caleb Renno, 21, from Cave Junction, Oregon

Bryan Rich, 29, from Medford, Oregon

David Steele, 19, from Ashland, Oregon

After the crash the USFS cancelled its contract with Carson Helicopters. 

In the latest of a series of legal actions resulting from the Iron 44 crash, two former employees of Carson Helicopters were indicted on Feb. 4, 2013 of criminal charges stemming from an alleged conspiracy to defraud the US Forest Service. These charges carry up to 20 years in prison. According to a Feb. 4 article from Oregon Live (Feb. 4th Oregon Live article) the men are accused of

"falsifying the weight and takeoff power of the helicopter that crash and other helicopters that were a part of a 'call-when-needed' contract worth up to $20 million to Carson Helicopters."

According to the indictment, these falsified weight and takeoff power charts were then included in the charts used by flight crews and pilots in aerial firefighting missions. The Feb. 4th Oregon Live article includes a brief synopsis of prior legal actions stemming from the Iron 44 crash. You might also want to check out a report from KVAL (with photos and a video clip) on the indictment along with a brief review of the crash and prior legal actions.

Other sources of information

Always Remember on Iron 44 Sikorsky S-61N crash that including but not limited to links to the NTSB reports and dockets, memorials of those who died in the crash, maps of the crash scene, and links to some media coverage.

Oregon Live articles on the Iron 44 crash.

Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today has covered the Iron 44 crash and recently wrote about the indictment of the former Carson employees here.

New Associated Aerial Firefighters website

The Associated Aerial Firefighters (AAF) has recently redesigned their website. You might want to check it out. They have a nice set of news articles available on the entry page of their site. I am especially interested in their nice set of links featuring aerial firefighting, some of which are still being developed, including a page on fixed wing specifications and rotor specifications,  fire chemicals, history (including a piece by my friend Tom Janney) and terminology.

I noted with interest an article on the AAF site with information about the new AAFAirtankerVideos channel on youtube , go here to see the brief news article from the AAF announcing their new youtube channel.

There is more to the AAF site than I have discussed here. I am proud to be a member of the AAF.

Pine Island Cranberry Bog (NJ) in the winter

Some of you know that I spent a day last October with my friends from Downstown Aero in Chatsworth NJ watching them load their AgCats and the AT-602 for aerial applications on some near by cranberry bogs. I watched them make a couple of aerial application runs and then visited two bogs, Pine Island Cranberry and Lee Brothers. 

Oct 26 - aerial applications on cranberry bogs - AgCats

Oct. 29 - aerial applications on cranberry bogs - AgCat

Oct. 31 - Pine Island Cranberry 1 of 2

Nov 2 - Pine Island Cranberry 2 of 2

I had hoped to be able to get back to the Chatsworth in late October to watch Downstown make their final aerial applications of the season on the bogs. Unfortunately, my power outage couplesd with a gasoline shortage as a result of SS Sandy conspired against this. I found myself thinking about the cranberry bogs recently. Fortunately, Pine Island Cranberry maintains a wonderful blog called the Pine Island Scoop. I had been wondering what they do after the harvest is over in November, their blog provided an answer. Most blog entries are accompanied by pictures so you really do get an up close and personal point of view in reading their blog.

Three of the many things that Pine Island does in the winter jumped out at me. First comes fall planting using rooted cuttings for the first time. During the winter "dormancy period", the cranberry buds mature. A severe winter can hurt and even kill the cranberry vines. In order to protect their cranberry crop, growers flood the bogs during the winters. The Pine Island blogger writes about the winter flooding of the bogs. After the bogs are flooded for the winter, one-fifth of the bogs are sanded. Sanding is important for cranberry yield and growth. Of course, winter is a good time for facilities maintenance.

I will visit the Pine Island Scoop from time to time and I hope that you do as well. I don't know when I'll get to go and see Downstown do aerial applications in the bogs again. Perhaps sometime in the upcoming season.  When I do, I'll write about here.

RIP Allan MacNutt

Dear Allan,

A good friend of yours sent me a copy of your book, Altimeter Rising, a while back. I read it over the summer. When I told your friend how much I loved your book, wondering how I might contact you, he gave me your contact info. My plan was to look over your book again and then write you. Summer turned to fall and fall turned to winter. Two days ago, I got an e-mail from our mutual friend saying that you had passed away. 

I lost my chance to write and tell you how much I loved your book. So, I write now. You do not know that I am do not have a pilot's certificate, and it is unlikely that I will get one. Yet, I love aviation and I love flying. I go on scenic airplane rides as I can so I can experience flight. Over the last three years I have learned that there are other ways that I can fly. One of the ways that I fly is through reading the words of pilots such as yourself.

But your book was special. It was as if I was in the plane with you through out your 50 year career in the air. Almost as if I was flying the plane too. For indeed through your words, I was flying. 

A couple things stand out to me from your book without having to go in and reread the book. One is the picture of your wife, Irene and your Aeronca Champ in 1947, with the caption "writers only two assets in 1947." I loved the stories from the early period of your marriage which you called the flying school era. 

Fast forward to when you were flying P-38's and Mosquitoes doing aerial photographic surveys. Having seen a few photos from similar aerial surveys over the past few years, I can say that I had no idea at that time how precise that type of flying is.

Finally, you flew firebombers for twenty years, is that right? You can be sure that I'll be re-reading what you wrote about your experience flying tankers. 

I am skipping over much of your career in this short letter. As I write this, I understand that Altimeter Rising is available on Amazon and elsewhere. I hope that others will read your book and enjoy it as I have. I have a couple of projects that I have on the burner at the moment that will eventually end up on this blog. Writing about Ag-Cats and the A-26 (which you flew as a firebomber) are but two projects. I'll be adding a third project, rereading your book.

In closing, you given me the gift of flying through your words. Thank-you. It is my loss that I never got to say this to you before now. I hope that doesn't matter. I know you are flying in favorable tail winds. And be assured of my thoughts and prayers for your family, friends, colleagues, and all those who love you.