Originally Posted by
Cedrik
Not true, depends on application rate/bush density/pilot skill, I'd hardly call 3000 litres light. With LATS I've seen retardant just misting on top of the canopy, again depends on application rate and operational considerations as to how high the drop is. As others have said if used to their advantages all aircraft have good points, it's the management that quite often use the wrong choice with it being fashionable to use the LATS lately instead of seats.
Just my experience from a season as a seasonal firefighter. LATs were the only aircraft able to get through the mountain ash on a high country fire I worked on, that was at the maximum rate. On another note, seasonal firefighter roles are great for anyone young looking to pay for some flight training, short term contact, good pay and a bit of hard work. Plus if you get to know the right people you might get to work as in aviation involved roles such as a bomber loader which can lead to some great stories from the pilots!