Long story: the gist of it is that a long-time contractor flying P-3 Orions has been terminated even though the fires are burning in Texas. The contractor can't get a reason for it; the Forestry Service says that it's about 'long-term air worthiness' or such.
In the meantime Texas burns.
I have a suggestion: Governor Perry, give the company a call and arrange for them to do everything within Texas. Then dare the Feds to ground the aircraft that are fighting severe fires.
#6
We were certified to fly all season, but they just terminated us and threw 60 people out of work and left the country vulnerable to fires, as you can see right now in Texas, said Britt Gourley, CEO for Aero Union.
Better to pray for rain rather than wait for Obama. Wait a damn minute, don't these fires contribute in a large way to the Federal government's greenhouse gas footprint?
#7
JohnQC, a couple years back Oklahoma was burning and the winds blew north into Wichita Kansas, where the EPA measured the atmosphere and informed Greater Wichita that they would suffer massive fines for the poor air quality. In an attempt to avoid millions in EPA fines there was a massive campaign for public employees to not drive at all, and if they had to, fill up at night.
The Federal Government does not have this so called footprint; as it is penciled states counties and municipalities do.
Sounds like the same kind of bullshit going on here.
#10
Aero Union's contract was cancelled 5 weeks ago; around beginning of August. Now that disasters are tv chic again, Texas and Oklahoma have been burning since June, though it is recently that fires have reached major urban areas such as Oklahoma City and Austin.
I think the comparison is apt, an all hands on deck situation and we have the coast guard faa making sure there are enough air sick bags, smoke detectors in the bathrooms, flotation devices, 300' of flight line, filled blinker fluid reserves, 8 point jet wash and wax, so forth.
I'm not sure how it is in Texas so I will not comment there, here in Kansas the kansas firefighter unions have been lobbying hard to fold all firefighters, that includes volunteers, into a single collective bargaining entity, the concern being that once put in it will be nearly impossible to disband that agreement and we will watch resources quickly slant towards the cities/original bargaining members, and they can do this because they can afford to pay the maximum number of eligible members to attend votes, while everyone else has a job and must drive some average of 200 miles their initially on their own dime.
A big reason why nobody nationally has heard of these fires is because nobody nationally really cares if west Texas, Oklahoma, east New Mexico burn. The other reason is because none of those fires ever got 'Russia is burning down' large which is the work of your wildland volunteer fire departments who work for their neighbors and an occasional parade, and do it wrapped in a non-breather heavy winter sleeping bag and stocking cap on top of a vehicle fresh from the oven and 120+ on field temperature. I think the last thing the unions want people to know is that they do it all with only workable equipment and a sandwich.
#11
Here's the map of federal lands. In a manner of those not paying taxes voting to increase them on those that do, Easterners and Coasties pretty much make the rules Westerners have to live with.
#12
I would like to add that Perry going to Texas to manage this is the right move. There are certain things which require the Governor to approve and/or sign off on; it requires, nay demands, something more than an autopen.
#14
According to the article the FAA did NOT ground the a/c the forest service did; since when is Ranger Smith up in Jellystone Park qualified to keep the P-3s grounded? it's not like they were gonna snatch a pic-a-nik basket.
gotta think its more likely politics is in play.
bambi must be really desparate.
what is scary is that down deep in the article it talks about Convair 580's still on the job; these birds are older than the Orions. so any fatigue or corrosive effects any of the retardants has played on the Orions is likely even worse on these birds. Originally radial powered, with a turbo-prop conversion they are putting even more strain on the airframe, and the high flight loads of the drop and pull up manuvers (sic) are really going to test the wing spars. keep an eye on this and put the Convair crew in your prayers.
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