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Firefighting Air Tanker Conversion
Coral Gables, Florida-based AerSale has been awarded a contract by Aero Air subsidiary Erickson Aero Tanker to convert another firefighting air tanker. Conversion of a sixth McDonnell Douglas MD-87 was due to start at the company’s Goodyear, Arizona facility on April 1.
Once modifications are complete, the new Erickson Aero Tanker will cruise at 450 knots, carrying 3,000 US gall (11 356 lit) of fire retardant. The MD-87 boasts a loaded strike range of 900 miles (1,448km) and requires only a 5,200ft (1,585m) long runway to operate from when fully loaded. Charlie McDonald, senior vice president MRO services for AerSale, said: “The Erickson Aero Tanker is a very versatile fire bomber and we are proud to continue our work to expand their fleet and add more aerial firefighting power to the skies. This modified aircraft will rank among the best air tankers available for fighting wildfires across the country for years to come.” In addition to converting the air tankers’ original MD-87s, AerSale performs all heavy maintenance on the Erickson Aero Tanker fleet. (Photo Airteamimages.com/Andre Nordheim)
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