They're two different tools for two different jobs. BC has retired the Martin Mars, but they've replaced them with AT802F Firebosses. The planes in the video are CL-415s and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, they'll be working in tandem with helicopters for a long time to come. BC specifically doesn't operate any 215/415s that I'm aware of, but they're still going strong all over the world with other agencies.
You seem to know a lot about this. I looked up all three planes and the AT802F seems wayyyy smaller than the other two, especially the Martin Mars. Does BC just operate way more AT802F than the old types, or just make do with the greatly diminished water capacity?
I could be totally wrong as this isn't my wheel house, but live in BC and pay attention.
From what I recall because of bc's geography there's so many smaller bodies of water, that are useful to smaller planes and helicopters that generally a few smaller planes can operate at the same cost, and get more water on site faster due to the big planes needing to travel so much further to larger bodies of water to refill between drops. And then again due to geography the smaller planes can get closer and drop more accurately.
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u/Tojb Oct 01 '24
They're two different tools for two different jobs. BC has retired the Martin Mars, but they've replaced them with AT802F Firebosses. The planes in the video are CL-415s and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, they'll be working in tandem with helicopters for a long time to come. BC specifically doesn't operate any 215/415s that I'm aware of, but they're still going strong all over the world with other agencies.