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sidman
15th Aug 2007, 02:07
EVERGREEN AIRLINES GAINS AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION
Airline now FAA certified to fly the Boeing Dreamlifter and 747-400 aircraft

McMinnville, OR; Aug. 13, 2007—Evergreen International Airlines (EIA) received its FAA New Aircraft Process Document (NAPD) Aug. 9. The modification of the Airlines’ operational specifications allows EIA to acquire full operational control of the Dreamlifter (a modified Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter) and operate other 747-400 aircraft.

The documentation process included a review and revision of EIA’s manuals, operation systems, maintenance programs and airline administration to meet the FAA’s 747-400 standards. It also included the completion of Route Proving flights, operating under the revised procedures with FAA oversight.

“This is an exciting time for Evergreen,” stated Brian Bauer, EIA President. “With certification completion, the full implementation of the Dreamlifter program and addition of the 747-400BCFs, we have a solid platform for the future.”

Evergreen also announced the order and scheduled delivery of three B747-400BCFs, with first delivery in early summer 2009. The aircraft will be an upgrade for EIA’s current commercial operations. The BCF is a 747-400 aircraft modified by Boeing into a full cargo aircraft.

The 747-400 certification and acquisitions will provide EIA with many new opportunities. Technological advances and other factors make the 747-400s a much more economical aircraft to operate and maintain.

EIA will continue upgrading the operations of the Airline by beginning the certification process for the FAA’s Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS). The NAPD process put the Airline well on its way to gaining this additional certification.

About Dreamlifter Program: In Dec. 2005 Evergreen International Aviation was selected to operate and maintain the Boeing Dreamlifter. The specially modified plane will transport major components of the all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Evergreen has been selected as the Prime Contractor to operate, maintain and support these aircraft. Contract life is 20-25 years (the life of the 787 program).

The Dreamlifter is a modified 747-400 with an enlarged upper fuselage, an aft fuselage that swings open for loading and unloading of Dreamliner sections, and a vertical fin increased in height by five feet. The Dreamlifters are transporting 787 sections from Italy, Japan, South Carolina and Kansas to Boeing’s assembly plant in Everett, Wash

LBR
15th Aug 2007, 13:50
Wasn't Cargolux involved in this Dreamlifter program?

Tediek
15th Aug 2007, 17:28
Does anyone knnow the performance data of the LCF's?

Zoner
15th Aug 2007, 18:01
For reasons unknown Cargolux dropped out of the program last year.
Tediek: Check your PM

sled dog
16th Aug 2007, 19:07
A modern re-incarnation of the good old CL-44 really :cool: :p

pikman747
16th Aug 2007, 22:38
The B747-400LCF operated through Prestwick last week from Italy en route Charleston using an EIA callsign.

Zoner
17th Aug 2007, 02:11
You may see the occasional Boeing crew but for the most part it will be EIA from here on out.

Earl
17th Aug 2007, 05:08
Good Job Evergreen.
What ever happened to the 747 firefighting aircraft?
That was truly amazing.

ray cosmic
17th Aug 2007, 05:58
I think the US ALPA, or some other body got a bit defensive about non US pilots flying this dreamlifter thing. Allegedly therefore CLX dropped out of the program.

Zoner
17th Aug 2007, 06:27
The Supertanker was certified however the rumor is the FAA attached some heavy duty restrictions, (cycles), which would make it extremely expensive to operate. So the program is suspended.

sidman
17th Aug 2007, 15:00
Rumor is that EIA will fly the Tanker during the 08 fire season... We will see if that happens.

ship's power
17th Aug 2007, 17:50
Although unverified, I am told that the aircraft is now certified, but for water use only. W&B envelope issues need to be resolved when dumping a full retardant load, due to volume weight shift, as retardant has a much higher density.

The AvgasDinosaur
17th Aug 2007, 21:32
Found this relating to the other widebody water bomber.
I know its a bit dated but thought it might be of interest.
Supertanker lands safely

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 25, 2007

By DAVID RACLIN
The Press-Enterprise

A fire-fighting supertanker aircraft contracted by CalFire clipped several
treetops at a fire in Kern County but made a successful landing Monday
evening at a Victorville airport, government officials said.

The DC-10, which can carry 12,000 gallons of water or fire retardant, ran
into heavy turbulence over the White Fire in Kern County and dropped to
treetop level, CalFire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Monday night by phone.

The plane sustained damage to a flap on the plane's left wing, Federal
Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said Monday night by phone. The
plane flew about 75 miles back to Victorville. There were no injuries. The
plane landed about 5:45 p.m. at the Southern California Logistics Airport in
Victorville, formerly George Air Force Base, Gregor said.

The plane was assigned to the 9,100-acre fire, CalFire spokeswoman Janet
Upton said Monday night by phone. The plane was carrying three or four
crewmembers, Upton said.

The collision was under investigation by the FAA as well as CalFire, Berlant
said.

Under contract with CalFire in 2006, the DC-10 fought six fires in California
and one blaze in Washington state. The jet's 12,000-gallon capacity is four
times larger than the largest federal fire bombers and 10 times larger than
California's air tankers


Hope it helps,
Be lucky
David

Earl
18th Aug 2007, 04:24
The thing that makes the supertanker so much better is that its not a drop system like some of the others, maybe some EIA people can comment.
I understand that it is a pressurised system allowing the 747 to fly 800 feet above the fire which makes it unique.
Not sure what the DC-10 is capable of but sure that the 747 would haul more retardent or water and not have to make mutiple passes over the fire.Here is a link to this, really an amazing machine.
http://www.evergreenairlines.com/supertanker/index.html
But wonder how that big wingspan and those ground thermals from the fire will be.

FEL1011
22nd Aug 2007, 03:12
The classics will be leaving as soon as Mr. Smith can get more -400s to his liking. This was inevitable with the increasing operation and maintenance costs of the old classics. The flight engineers are becoming an extinct species. So flight mechanic and third pilot for the non schedule long haul operations. Yeah, that was some wages saved!

The end is here!:sad:

Regards,

FEL1011

Kerosene Kraut
26th Mar 2009, 09:21
Supertanker

The Classics are back! After a first 747-200 based solo Supertanker Evergreen now finally got the 747-100 based "Standard" Supertanker FAA certified and approved by the Air Tanker Board. Wonder how it feels to drop 76000 Liters of water within 10 seconds flying low level over some wildfires. Sounds like fun - sort of.

Pictures and german source:
Umgebauter Jumbo Jet als größter Löschbomber der Welt zugelassen - FLUG REVUE (http://www.flugrevue.de/de/zivilluftfahrt/fluggeraete/umgebauter-jumbo-jet-als-groeter-loeschbomber-der-welt-zugelassen.9044.htm)