A good friend of mine called me the other day just to make sure all was well during this COVID-19 pandemic.
That reminded me of his adventurous new job, and the aircraft he was flying.
Rob, was a Chief Pilot for a BizAv flight department and as we know all to well things change and the new government corporation decided to sell their entire fleet of corporate aircraft. What to do next?
Rob decided to fly for the Saskatchewan Government Wildfire response program and fly the new Canadair CL-215T air tanker which joins four other "amphibious flying boat" aircraft in impressive fleet of 17 various aircraft.
The new plane is able to skim 1,200 gallons of water off a lake in a matter of seconds. The plane was upgraded from a piston engine system to a turbine engine, which has increased its speed and efficiency. The CL-215T air tanker can deliver up to 25 per cent more water to a wildfire than its piston powered cousin.
They have also been key fire-fighters in British Columbia and in Montana and other USA states that have needed their support. So impressed with this team, Rob's stories and the capabilities of this improved flying boat.
Please visit their website for more details if you wish https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/wildfire-in-saskatchewan/wildfire-operations/aviation
Scotty, Thanks for your post. Piston powered cousin below. Photo taken in 1988 in front of the Hemmeter Aviation hangar (Hangar 22) at Gander, Newfoundland. Certainly one of the great aircraft that keeps on working, especially for Canada.
Awesome picture. Thank you Tom for all your work on this web page. I know there is a flying boat "parked" in the back fields of STS - and will check my photos later on to see if I can add another article your your now famous memories. Mahalo.