and we fly up to seven or eight hours a day in some cases.” Rainier vice president Steve
Wright added that the K-MAX® has an excellent readiness record. “The USFS classifies the K- MAX® as a heavy lift, or Type I, helicopter. Our availability is nearly 100 percent, and unlike other heavy-lift rotorcraft, our maintenance costs are much lower. We usually operate with one pilot, one mechanic and one fuel truck driver,” Wright explained. “The K-MAX® fea- tures a simple design and very reliable single engine, optimized for repetitive heavy lift. It exactly fits the mission profile the USFS needs for effective aerial fire fighting. Other helicopters have to adapt to the mission. For this kind of work and weight, day in and day out, the K-MAX® is hard to beat.” Larew added that Rainier pur- chased its K-MAX®, Aircraft No. 19, more than a decade ago and initially used the helicopter to supplement its logging opera- tions. “We were one of the origi- nal purchasers after the K- MAX® was certified in the mid- 1990s. We considered other uses
for the K-MAX® and moved into fire fighting. Our USFS contract is full-service, and includes the aircraft and crew. To win the USFS contract, we designed our own water tank and snorkel system that enables us to fill the tank in one minute from lakes, rivers, streams or portable water tanks when natural sources aren’t available.” Rainier’s one- of-a-kind K-MAX® tank system utilizes water but can accommo- date fire retardants or other additives. In the off-season, the company uses the helicopter for other heavy lift missions in the U.S. and overseas, including construction, placement of power line towers and oil rig support. “Kaman is delighted that K- MAX® operators are so success- ful,” said Terry Fogarty, general manager of Kaman Helicopters’ Unmanned Aircraft Systems Product Group. “The success of our manned K-MAX® opera- tions is a testament to our pro- gram, and we’ll continue to pro- vide the support necessary to help maintain the nearly 100% availability rates that the K- MAX® fleet has enjoyed,” Fogarty continued. ◆
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