Tanker 910
| DC-10 Air Tanker | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Tanker 910 fighting the Rim Fire, August 2013 | |
| Role | DC-10 Air Tanker |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas (conversion by 10 Tanker STC) |
| First flight | 2006 |
| Introduction | 2006 |
| Primary user | 10 Tanker Air Carrier |
| Number built | 4 converted from former airliners |
| Developed from | McDonnell Douglas DC-10 |
The DC-10 Air Tanker is a series of American wide-body jet air tankers, which have been in service as an aerial firefighting unit since 2006. The aircraft, operated by the joint technical venture 10 Tanker Air Carrier, are converted wide body McDonnell Douglas DC-10 passenger jetliners, and are primarily used to fight wildfires, typically in rural areas. The turbofan-powered aircraft carry up to 12,000 US gallons (45,000 liters) of water or fire retardant in an exterior belly-mounted tank, the contents of which can be released in eight seconds. Three air tankers are currently in operation, with the call-signs Tanker 910, Tanker 911 and Tanker 912.
10 Tanker began researching the development of Next Generation airtankers in 2002. Company personnel were assembled with an extensive history of heavy jet operations, modifications and ownership. After two years of research into aerial firefighting requirements and future direction, 10 Tanker selected the DC10 type for development. A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA for modifications of DC10 aircraft to be used for the aerial dispersant of liquids was issued in March 2006. 10 Tanker then obtained a 14 CFR Part 137 Operating Certificate for aerial firefighting and IAB approval for agency use. The first converted aircraft, registered as N450AX, was originally delivered as a civil passenger plane to National Airlines in 1975, and subsequently flew for Pan Am, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Omni Air International.
The conversion of the original airframe to a fire-fighting aircraft was a joint venture under the name of 10 Tanker Air Carrier between Cargo Conversions of San Carlos, California and Omni, with conversion work being performed by Victorville Aerospace at the Southern California Logistics Airport at Victorville, California.
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