From avengers to air tractors

Air Classics, Jul 2001

Starting in the late 1950s in the skies of New Brunswick, in eastern Canada, the distinctive roar of radial engines could be heard from unusual, but unmistakable, flying objects - a fleet of WWII Grumman TBM Avengers operated by Forest Protection Limited. Their task was to protect New Brunswick's vast and valuable woodlands. Ultimately, FPL acquired 22 Avengers and they have relied on these aircraft for both fire bombing and spraying.

FPL's job is a big one. The province of New Brunswick is Canada's most heavily forested, and the timber products industry is a large part of the region's economy. Defending the extensive woodlands against the ravages of fire and destructive insects is therefore a vital and ongoing effort. But Dave Davies, FPL General Manager, states "the Avengers were well-suited to the task, offering a significant payload, excellent low-level, low-speed handling and a reputation for mechanical reliability."

In the mid to late 1990s, knowing the Avengers wouldn't last forever, FPL undertook in-depth studies of possible TBM successors, looking at several different aircraft. In addition to the airplane's performance characteristics, the main criteria were productivity, maintenance, and operating cost. After comparing their performance and cost figures, FPL determined that a turbine-- powered aircraft would best suit the company's needs.

The result of these studies is that -- starting this fire season - Forest Protection Ltd. will operate an AT-802F Air Tractor, but this plane has a twist. The aircraft will be custom painted in company colors (like the Avengers) of white overall with green and red accents, yellow tail and wing tips, and gray underside. This will be the first Air Tractor in many years that hasn't left the factory wearing the traditional yellow and blue.

The airplane will be equipped with AgNAV DGPS guidance and data logging system and Auto Cal/Auto Boom automatic flow control system - also with a twist. A radar altimeter will be hooked to the DGPS system, allowing FPL to do mapping and modeling on spray applications and spray drift. Essentially, this 802F will be equipped with state-of-the-art spray technology.

Air Tractor dealers Rick Pedersen (Conair/Canada) and Chuck Kemper (Queen Bee/Idaho) worked together to negotiate the transaction. "This is a big step for FPL," stated Pedersen. "They put a lot of time and study into the decision. If it works out for them, which we certainly believe it will, I'm sure they will be back for more."

"There's no question it will be a more productive aircraft for them," Kemper said. "It's easier to maintain, with much less maintenance overall and it's backed by Air Tractor's excellent parts and service support. It also carries a larger load, has a lower operating cost, and can easily convert to an ag spraying configuration, so it's much more versatile."

FPL has already sold off some of their Avengers and it is anticipated that the rest of the fleet will go if the company purchases more Air Tractors.