Aero Union P3's USFS contract cancelled

[Big Pistons Forever]

Sounds like the P3 firebomber program is in big trouble

[Yankee]

US Forest Service Cancels Airtanker Contract with Aero Union California company did not meet agency’s safety standards

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2011 -- The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it has terminated its contract with Aero Union of Sacramento, Calif., because the company failed to meet its contractual obligations. The company was providing six airtankers under exclusive-use contracts to the Forest Service. "Our main priority is protecting and saving lives, and we can't in good conscience maintain an aviation contract where we feel lives may be put at risk due to inadequate safety practices” said Tom Harbour, director of the Forest Service’s Fire and Aviation Management program. “This contract termination notwithstanding, we possess the aircraft support needed for this year's fire season." The Forest Service has access to additional aviation assets to meet operational needs. Two other private companies provide 11 large airtankers under exclusive-use contracts. In addition, there are two very large airtankers available through a “call when needed” contract, as well as eight military firefighting aircraft. The five-year contract the Forest Service signed with Aero Union in 2008 required participation in a continued airworthiness program, which included a Fatigue and Damage Tolerance Evaluation and structural inspection program. In April 2011, Aero Union informed the Forest Service that the Federal Aviation Administration found the company was not in compliance with its mandated structural inspection program requirements. Because of the extraordinary stresses placed on aircraft during aerial firefighting and to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure safety, the Forest Service adds requirements to its airtanker contracts that are specific to the agency’s firefighting mission. The Forest Service will not use aircraft that do not meet its requirements.

[2R]

We should send a 415 sales guy right away.The 415's are the bee's knees when it comes to firefighting.

They should paint it red like a big red fire truck County Fire Dept on the side and POINT OUT ALL THE MADE IN USA PARTS to the beancounters .There are many made in the USA parts on it and that should help sell it to the Americans just like the Beaver got a lot of sales when Punch Dickens pointed out the American engines on the Beaver to the US Army.and all those other little parts made in USA that made the plane so great.

[Perhaps]

Doesn't matter how many American parts a 415 is built with..........( I doubt there are many).

Too much money involved with Lockheed trying to sell new C-130's through the USFS.

and....

ICL (Israeli Chemical ltd) and their cadre of retired USFS and CDF salesmen would put a blockade on water bombers in the US. Might cut into their sales of PHOS-CHEK.

[magic wand]

Hmmmm.
P3's on the US side..L188's on the Canadian side. Is there a common denominator?

[Flybabe]

I'll tell ya, I'd rather have the P3 in the air over the P2. Going to have to get ahold of my contacts.

[bigsky]

Hmmmm.
P3's on the US side..L188's on the Canadian side. Is there a common denominator?

If I read the article correctly, it is not so much the aircraft that is the problem, as it is the company that has failed to meet safety standards. Is it Aero Union that is the problem or is it the aircraft type?

[Flybabe]

Enough tankers to meet needs? ***cough***

Sometimes there are, sometimes there aren't. Good thing there's always the Canadians

[fire flyer]

Possibly a couple red and black on white CV580s from Alaska are heading south to meet up with one more from Abbotsford. Idaho maybe? Don't know if that is the main base for USFS tanker ops in the area or what but here's the first of the Cavalry(now they just need a battle) and one could imagine that another seven or eight will be offered as they come of contract in Canada. Hope the Pilots and Maintenance lads from Aero U are taken care of....as for their (mis)management team, no sympathy.

FF

[BD8]

3 sitting in Boise.

[DHC5]

[quote="BD8"]3 sitting in Boise.


Would that have been 445/447 & 449 from Conair?

[Just Duckie]

3 now in Bend Oregon, 1 each in Missoula, Helena and Boise......according to "Tanker TV"

[Flybabe]