That would be a really bad idea. The pilots get into places that require instantaneous reaction time (seat of the pants flying) and a computer or remote operator simply wouldn’t have that feedback experience or rapid response. What the AT pilots can do is amazing/nuts (point of view).
The simple buffet of the canyons winds, mixed with heat of the fire convection and low visibility makes it pretty hairy at times. Then add into the mix that your load is diminishing (you dropped it) so your craft is never ‘the same’. Some flying maneuvers REQUIRE seat of the pants (knowing the craft behavior/response by physical contact) because there are things you have to do that confuse the onboard instruments (Google side slip). It can’t be done safely remotely (bird go splat boom). That one move (done often to compensate for the wind on an approach) makes every instrument reading wrong (except altimeter; you’re basically flying sideways and falling like a rock but under control). You have to BE there to make it work safely. (And it’s FUN, done it myself many times.)
And a pilot can simply turn his head around quickly to assess multiple situations (blowups, crew safety) and variables; which is difficult at best when done remotely. In short, you need a PILOT there, not a box. You need spatial and situational awareness. A computer or readout can’t give you that.
VLAT is great; WHEN you can use them (not as often as you would think AND they’re bloody expensive to operate). Once again, the infrastructure has been ignored by the bozos we put in place to take care of us/things (until the ancient [even older than me :o)] planes fall from the sky and are almost all gone) with no hard plans for renewal. Not only is no budget (existing or planned) a concern; the need has never been greater. We’re well behind the curve now and this is a gonna hurt.
In the interim, we have to throw more bodies at the fires. Oh wait, CA cut the staffing budget by $80M. Better check your insurance today to make sure it’s paid up. We’re so far behind the curve, we’re screwed (the most polite word I can use here).
I miss the sound of a PBY or P3 on short final (before they went turbo prop in particular); it was a sound of summer (just like crickets). Like the smell of grass smoke, it often meant overtime too. I don’t, however, miss climbing the hills that got steeper every year; being told to do more with less (how much less than nothing THIS year?) or the creature DIScomforts of the job.
I was working solo (no crew, just me) one fire putting my engine between the head of a wind driven grass fire and a ranch home (Victorian, instant poof). I couldn’t see through the smoke. If it crackled, it got wet; if it glowed; it got wet. When the smoke cleared for a moment, I saw a DC4 dropping on the flank of the fire 100 yards away. It was a truly glorious sight to behold (he was about 75 feet above the deck and BOOKING). [I split the head and both heads went around the house and barns. By then, backup had arrived and we each took a head.] Fun times.
Rick
From: Lewack, Mark A.
What about using drones or pilotless tankers? Are these being used today?
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