747 Supertanker cleared to fight wildfires
747 Supertanker cleared to fight wildfires
31 July 2009
published by www.katu.com
USA —
A giant aircraft tanker developed by Oregon-based Evergreen International Aviation to carry 20,000 gallons of water has been cleared to fight wildfires.
The federal government granted the Boeing 747 Supertanker approval to fly during the upcoming wildland firefighting season.
Evergreen, which has supplied firefighting aircraft for decades, spent $50 million to develop the plane.
The jet can fly 600 mph. The company says that’s twice as fast as any tanker currently used.
The company also says the aircraft has a pressurized system that can disperse water at a high pressure or at the speed of falling rain, making it safe for low-visibility, nighttime runs.
