Quote:
Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger
It’s pretty crazy watching them dive right into the smoke. And there’s a smaller plane leading the bigger plane that appears to be a spotter.
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That's the Bird dog. AI overview from google;
A "birddog" fire refers to an aircraft, specifically a "birddog" plane, that leads and coordinates aerial firefighting operations during a wildfire. An Air Attack Officer (AAO) in the birddog assesses the fire, guides airtankers to the safest and most effective drop locations, and manages all aerial and ground communications. Essentially, the birddog acts as the "eyes in the sky" for the entire aerial firefighting effort.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Purpose:
Birddog aircraft are used to guide airtankers to drop ######ant or water effectively and safely on wildfires.
Role of Air Attack Officer:
The Air Attack Officer (AAO) in the birddog is a highly trained specialist who:
Assesses the fire and identifies the most critical areas for attack.
Directs the flight paths and drop locations for airtankers.
Communicates with ground crews, other aircraft, and regional offices.
How it works:
The birddog flies ahead of the airtankers, scouting the fire and ensuring safe routes and drop zones. It may also test drop routes before the larger tankers arrive.
Not a fire extinguisher:
While birddogs play a crucial role in guiding airtankers, they don't directly extinguish the fire. Aerial firefighting is most effective when combined with ground-based efforts.
Birddog aircraft:
Various types of aircraft can be used as birddogs, including the Daher TBM 960 and Cessna 208.
With the work being done on the south end of the runways, we've seen an increase in flights coming on, and I swear, they use our street to line up to the runway. 