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FAQ
THE COMPANY
What inspired the idea of taking DC-10s and using them in aerial firefighting?
The founders studied the aerial firefighting industry and determined the recently retired DC-10 could make a positive impact. Extensive engineering design, fabrication, flight and drop testing were conducted over four years before the DC-10 was officially called on its first mission. We proved to be safe, consistent, and accurate, all while being the largest aerial firefighting tanker in the world.
When was the company founded?
10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC was formed in 2002.
How many employees does 10 Tanker have?
10 Tanker currently employs around 90 individuals, not including contractors.
How many aircraft does 10 Tanker operate?
We currently operate four DC-10s.
THE OPERATION
How are aircraft locations decided during forest fires? Is there a change of bases during the fire?
Aircraft closest to the fire are usually called on first, however, if other aircraft are required then they’ll be called closer to the fire and be assigned to the closest base for refueling purposes.
What is the process for inquiring about space requirements at airports?
We cannot land at airports that have weight limits, short runway lengths, higher elevation, and certain heat temperatures. All airport data is publicly available.
What criteria must be met to start an operation? (Visibility/time of day/general condition for a fire extinguishing operation)
Flight crew and maintenance crew must be ready to go, and the aircraft needs to be green. Daylight hours are required, and weather conditions must be appropriate for flying.
Do you actively extinguish a fire, or do you prepare preventive measures to prevent the fire from spreading by wetting the area before the actual forest fire?
We typically drop around the perimeter to prevent the fire from spreading.
How long does it take until the aircraft is fully refueled with retardant or water and can be used for the next mission?
Refueling typically takes 30-45 minutes, from wheels down to wheels up.
How many missions can a DC-10 complete per day with a full fuel load?
There is no technical limit. Our ability to complete missions depends on how far away the base is from the fire and how many times we’re directed to respond to the fire.
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What is your response time after the fire is reported (how long does it take until the aircraft is in the air)?
Our U.S. response time is 15-30 minutes from when we get the call to when we take off. International flights require more planning, but we can usually respond within 48 hours.
How many crews are assigned to one location since they have to be on call at all times?
There is one flight crew and one maintenance crew assigned to each aircraft. These crews rotate schedules.
