Air Tanker Photo
Wow! Check out this photo of an air tanker beginning its drop (courtesy of Firefighter Blog).
This is a great photo. What an opportunity to see an air tanker up close and putting the hammer down on a fire...HOWEVER, why are the other people in the picture (and the photographer) that close! If the pilot had a problem and had to drop his load off target, these folks would be pancaked.
I know - leave it to me to throw a wet blanket on something cool like this picture.
Comments
I found the pic on the CDF homepage photo links. I love the picture and it reminded me of being on a ridgetop in a similar situation years back.
I can guess it is somewhat an optical illusion because as you point out the personnel standing there are not a bit bothered. I can tell you from my experience there is nothing quite like being able to look straight into the cockpit and into the pilot's eye as he comes in for a drop.
Posted by: Mike at November 2, 2005 09:11 PM
Hi Mike,
It's been a few years, but I can remember being close on a few drops. Not as close as the picture, but close enough to get my helmet painted with red dots from the slurry drift.
You could be right in pointing out that it may be somewhat of an optical illusion and that there is plenty of room for safety.
Thanks for the comments. Talk to you later.
Joe
Posted by: Joe at November 2, 2005 09:59 PM
