USDA Forest Service

Wildland Fire Chemical Systems

 Wildland Fire Checmical Systems
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Aerial Tank and Gating Testing
Ann Suter, Statistician, WFCS
 

Airtankers and helitankers are tested to...

  • Evaluate the delivery system
  • Evaluate ground pattern performance data
  • Assist with tank and gating design improvements

Static Testing:
Water is dropped from the tank which is either attached to the aircraft or on a stand. The flow rate, door opening rate, and internal tank pressure are measured to evaluate the system.

 Picture of a airtanker with doors open and water flowing out
Picture of an airtanker dropping suppressant over a grid
Drop Testing:
The airtanker makes a drop over a grid of approximately 2000 cups to determine the ground pattern distribution over a range of speeds, heights, fire fighting chemicals and flow rates. Wind, temperature and relative humidity are monitored to compare impacts on drop performances
From the grid information, plots of the ground patterns are created to evaluate the efficiency of the tank and gating system.
Three dimensional graph of grid data
Contour graph of grid data
 
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