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Knight Division TacticalHow are airtankers ordered on a wildfire?
Airtankers (VLAT & Type 1–4)
Yes.
KDT provides airtanker support for wildfire through its Aviation Wing, typed the way NWCG types airtankers: VLAT and Type 1 through Type 4 by gallons of retardant or water.
Typical configuration
- VLAT
- 6,000+ gal (e.g., DC-10)
- Type 1
- 3,000–5,999 gal (e.g., BAe-146, RJ85, MD-87, C-130, B-737)
- Type 2
- 1,800–2,999 gal (e.g., Q-400, CV-580, P-3)
- Type 3
- 800–1,799 gal (e.g., S-2T, AT-802F)
- Type 4
- 799 gal and under (e.g., Thrush, M18T)
- Water scoopers
- Ordered as Airtanker, Type 3 (Multi-Engine) with water scooper capability
- Ordering
- Order from KDT for your incident
Airtankers drop retardant or water ahead of a fire to slow it down so ground crews can catch it. Their primary mission is initial attack. NWCG types them by how much they carry, from small single engine airtankers (SEATs) to very large airtankers (VLATs) that carry 6,000 gallons or more.
KDT supplies airtankers through its Aviation Wing, VLAT and Type 1 through Type 4, with aircraft and pilots approved and carded the way the agency requires. Cooperator and state-contracted aircraft fly federally protected lands with an FS/DOI approval letter.
Tell us the incident, the jurisdiction and the contract vehicle, and we'll match the aircraft and the approvals to it.
Available as
- Very large airtanker (VLAT)
- Large airtankers, Type 1 and Type 2
- Type 3 and Type 4 airtankers, including SEATs
- Water scoopers
What's included
- Agency-approved aircraft and pilots, as the contract requires
Where it's used
- Initial attack retardant and water drops
- Retardant line ahead of a fire to support ground crews
Questions, answered.
How are airtankers ordered on a wildfire?
Send KDT the incident, the jurisdiction and the contract vehicle, and we match the aircraft to the mission.
What is the difference between a VLAT, a large airtanker and a SEAT?
Capacity. A VLAT carries 6,000 gallons or more, Type 1 and Type 2 large airtankers carry 1,800–5,999 gallons, and Type 3 and Type 4 aircraft, which include single engine airtankers, carry 1,799 gallons and under.
Can a state or private airtanker fly on a federal fire?
Yes, with approval. Cooperator and state-contracted aircraft fly federally protected lands with an FS/DOI approval letter, with aircraft and pilots carded and approved.
Does KDT provide airtankers?
Yes. KDT supplies airtankers through its Aviation Wing, from SEATs to VLATs. Send the incident, the jurisdiction and the contract vehicle and we'll match the aircraft and the approvals to it.
Need it on your incident? Say the word.
Add it to your request with anything else you need, then send it all at once. We'll come back with what we can put where, and when.