Watch the World’s Largest Firefighting Plane in Action: Boeing 747 Global SuperTanker
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Recorded 8/20/2020 Near Lake Sonoma California.
The 747 Supertanker is one of several aerial firefighting air tankers derived from various Boeing 747 models. The aircraft are rated to carry up to 19,600 US gallons (74,000 L) of fire retardant or water. They are the largest aerial firefighting aircraft in the world.
Initially developed by Evergreen International Aviation, the first Supertanker was based on a 747-200 (N470EV, tanker/tail number 947), and never entered service. The second Supertanker (N479EV, tanker/tail number 979) was based on a 747-100 originally manufactured by Boeing in 1971 for Delta Air Lines. It entered service for the first time in 2009, fighting a fire in Cuenca, Spain, and made its first American operation on August 31, 2009 at the Oak Glen Fire in California. It is no longer in service. The third 747 Supertanker was developed by Global Supertanker Services which acquired most of Evergreen's assets. The Global Supertanker (N744ST, tanker/tail number 944) is a Boeing 747-400 dubbed the Spirit of John Muir. It was certified for firefighting flights by the Federal Aviation Administration in September 2016 and fought fires in Chile and Israel before being contracted by U.S. officials to fight California wildfires in 2017. It also took part in firefighting in Bolivia in August 2019.
I see 2 things: An incredible skilled pilot, and an incredible skilled camera man.
Thank you, I am honored... (I am sure the pilot is too)
I see cancer causing payload.. that's just me I guess.
@ SeedPlanter yes, it is just you.
She is gorgeous! I've always thought she is the most beautiful plane in the sky. But I hear they quit making them.☹️. What a shame....and I always wanted to fly on one.😒
The cameraman filmed her with a ton of respect.
Wow !!. That's some amazing flying
To everyone saying they missed: The goal of flame retardant is to prevent the further spread of the fire by spreading it in front of the growing fire. Imagine drawing a line where the fire has a harder time to spread. They aren't able to put it out completely but rather they are doing their job by containing the spread of the fire. Take some time to think about it and do research before you criticize over these pilots' work.
TreCoolable Well done !!!! 👍👍
I mean cmon people this should be common knowledge
@@julius855 So the plumber was fixing my toilet the other day and said the 3/8 -1/4 turn compression valve that I installed on the 1/2 inch copper pipe was the problem. I should have used a 1/2 threaded fitzer valve and it would have been fine. and I swear he said "that should be common knowledge". and i said ya.... for plumbers.
@rgtrooper13 its less about aerial firefighting but more about the fact that so many people dont know you can fight a fire without directly Extingushing it
Thinking about it this is less common knowledge but more common sense
Ok. Thank you for the information. I didn't know.
Inside plane : pull up terrain terrain .. pull up terrain terrain
Whoop whoop
Nope he uses terrain ovr button sorry to ruin ur fun
Thanks for copying my comment fucker
@@levibailey6256 you stole my comment I report yu
Nothing interesting, never landed😠
The flex in her wings before and after the drop is dramatic.
Best Cinematography Award to the camera operator. That's some _real_ flying too.
Yeah mate. Thats what she said.
This 747 found a NEW profession. NO more airlines and now fire control !
This guy is ahead of his time! People are still filming vertically 😂
I believe the camera is automated. Locked onto the plane and the camera follows it. Allows the "cameraman" just switch between lens
Talk about impressive piloting skills!
A salute to all the courageous firefighters! Earlier this year when Australia was burning, the nearest fires were merely 30km away from our house. The tankers from the US came to help and very sadly, a Hercules tanker crashed and her crew perished. Those people risk their lives to save others and it is more than a job they are doing. You are true heroes in this world!
Oscar should go to the man who captured the entire event 🙏🏻👍🏻
Love and respect from India 🇮🇳
The amount of positive flex in those wings is amazing!
I worked on tail #945 in Marana,AZ also the wing stress test of the 747 reached 29ft before breaking.
These pilots are my absolutely hero’s. If you knew how dangerous this actually was, how stressful and the amount of concentration and skill. All these guys, from the puddle jumper to 747 are men and women who exemplify courage.
I am certainly no pilot, but the extremely high level of skill and bravery from that pilot and crew is absolutely incredible.
Here Right Now was just thinking the same thing. Pilot and crew have giant balls maneuvering in and out of those valleys and mountains was just so skillful and amazing to watch.
Aside from the amazing flying, what an iconic beauty this 50 year old bird is
My God! What a beast! And that's some seriously ballsy flyin' Guess they ripped the terrain warning alarm right out in that model, huh? Way impressive!
This tanker along with the DC10 and the other tankers are reloaded at McClellan Airport in Sacramento. They are making round trips from dawn to dusk. Hard and dangerous work for both the air and ground crews. Thank you for your service!
They should aquire some Beriav 200 fire fighters planes from Russia.
@@richardparker9595 Airports on the Southern California desert are loaded with surplus jumbo jets available to convert to tankers if necessary.
@@cyclingoptions9007 but these planes are not suitable for and not built for firefighting.
@@richardparker9595 They seem reliable and are doing the job. They DC-10s have been used for about 10 years. I understand that many of the retrofits are made at the Chico Airport about 100 miles north of Sacramento. If we already have suitable equipment available and can put our own people to work modifying them why send money overseas?
@@cyclingoptions9007 These 747 planes are too expensive to operate and mantain. Where as you can purchase a new BE 200 for the cost of operating the 747 for 1 year.
This plane is the world's largest firefighting air tanker. The 747 will always remain the most gorgeous aircraft ever made. Long live the Queen!
These pilots are either completely insane, or they balls of steel!!! A 747 was never designed to fly a couple of hundred feet off the ground, and at just above stall speed. What the guys do with these planes is absolutely fantastic!
Especially when you keep in mind that a smaller 747 is roughly the size of a football field. Totally freaking amazing!
@@jamesweldon9726 And that one's a 747-400 - EVEN LARGER!
There was modifications made for it to this this. It would be as easy with a passenger 747.
If the 747 wasn't designed to fly at near stall speeds above the ground then what is the 747 doing on final approach for the last 50 years.. 🤯🤪
@@datvik7187 Landing.
He or she is a pilot alright, and a good one too. Stick and rudder work
at low altitude in rugged terrain in a 747-400? That takes a damned good
pilot and crew. The camera work was superb as well.
Just awesome to see the queen of the skies with the flaps and slats extended for low speed flight👍🏾👍🏾....the A380 cannot compete with a tried and true legend.....Hail to the queen of the skies 👍🏾👍🏾
Yeah it is. I've seen enough 747 "last flight" videos. Here's one old sweetheart that's still up there, but doing a job I'll bet her designers never thought she'd be doing! Boeing 747, accept no substitute!
To see a plane that big flying so low and making those turns is amazing.
This is nothing compared to flutter test each plane has to endure before being certified😁
Come on give it up for these pilots flying the queen of the skies like a prop Cessna
Amazing. I honestly never even knew this plane existed. Look at the wing loading on the first pass. She is so heavy and still is flying around gracefully with full flaps. A beautiful aircraft and awesome pilot. Great job!
Hats off to those pilots. These people have balls of steel. May god be with them!
Who else was appreciating how good the camera was?
I was.
This plane AND PILOT are amazing!! In 2017 they saved my little town in California. I was able to witness this giant plane turn around in a canyon that was so close it felt like I could just reach up and touch the wing above my head. Flawless and exciting, 2 small drops in a row by this plane and the huge threat was gone. WHY IS IT NOT STILL ALOWED TO SERVICE OUR FIRES???? I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET IT BACK IN SERVICE IN THE US!!!!!!!!
Wow. Incredible. Flying a huge jet like a crop duster. .
Shaun Roberts it really is! During the Tubbs Fire, I was able to see it in action. Truly amazing ✈️
Looks like a choreographed dance. That stabilized camera on the chopper is also impressive.
I just learned the 747 is far more powerful and capable in the right hands than I had ever imagined.
A 747 was never supposed to be able to fly and manuver so close to land like this.
The pilots of this plane are clearly at the top of their game.
Notice the constant stress of the wings and flaps full, I can only assume they're staying above ground by the headwind heat of the fire and the surrounding valley winds.
But I'm no expert, simply awesome flying.......
I think it also has something to do that plane is heavy loaded with fire retardant: tens of thousands of tons in main fuselage.
Plane is actually not that heavily loaded. The flaps are fully extended and the slats are out because they cannot fly faster than 150 knots while dropping, as any faster puts too much risk on any nearby ground crew being injured.
I watched this plane over the Napa/Solano Hills a few years back. The agility of the plane surprised me. The talent of the pilot was awesome! . I never imagined I'd see a 747 make a U-Turn, swoop down in the Valley, then lift upwards as if it were a Sunday drive to enjoy the scenery. I pulled off the road to watch this amazing plane & crew.
Didn't Paul McCartney have a song called Sally C? ...oh wait, sorry, that was Sally G 😏
To the pilots of this beautiful air craft and all fire fighters ground and air. please be safe and get home to your loved ones. Thank you for your efforts and dedication. kindest regards P R Holmes Australia
She's very graceful. Kudos to the pilot
You just can't truly appreciate the shear beauty of what these planes and their pilots can do till you have witnessed it up close and in person. I have seen a 747 almost exactly like this one and several other smaller Tanker Wildfire planes work a fire line and it's something I will never forget.
It's mind blowing to be on a small hill and be looking down on them
It is something you need to witness to appreciate the beauty like you said.
I live next to the McClellen AFB where this amazing plane is stationed. I LOVE watching this incredible aircraft take off and landing from my home. It is magnificent.
Lucky you got the best seat!
It is an awesome sight!
To be able to fly a plane that size full of liquid has to take some serious skill hats off to them.
Not to mention a special cradle in the pilot's and first officers seats to accommodate their substantial stones of heavy metal, if you know what I mean.
Mr Gone their pair of heavy metal balls. I get what you mean : )
@@mrgone658 those heavy metal balls must NOT be cradled. They dynamically balance the payload
Just awe inspiring. Not easy to fly that giant bird in those mountains with all of the thermals and eddies and currents. Queen of the Sky Indeed! He crew is equally awesome!
For those who think that the pilots are missing their mark, they didn't. They're intentionally spraying at the location where the fire is heading, it's to contain and prevent the fire from spreading.
"Pilot, see that fire?"
"Yes sir"
"I don't want to"
"Yes sir"
Meanwhile in the cockpit...
"TERRAIN TERRAIN, PULL UP."
Haha yeah!
@Kaiser SwagHelm II nope! They have terrain warning inhibited.
Actually, they would be depending on mode 2 (of 7) of the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) - the other modes are about glidepaths, windshear etc - Mode 2 is only likely to activate if you are a) slow, b) low, c) don't have your gear down d) aren't on a glide slope and most importantly are dropping at an unacceptable (risky) rate. As mentioned the GPWS has over-rides to turn off the alerts, but I suspect they wouldn't be triggering, as they are keeping at relatively safe altitude for such low and slow work. (Newer planes have an Enhanced GPWS which use GPS and a database to warn of mountains etc.)
I am reminded of the F111C - they had a thing called Terrain Following Radar - they could fly super sonic at low altitude and the TFR would "see trees" etc, and pop up and over them. They had a few accidents (crashes) and they finally worked out it wasn't the radar control - the pilots didn't feel comfortable with it, and were turning it off, and they couldn't react as fast as the electronics. Friend of mine who flew F111s in Australia, delighted in spotting people's campfires in remote parts of the outback, and "buzzing them". On one occasion, there was a fishing boat in the Gazetted offshore bombing range - so they came in low and slow and did a "dump and burn" - jet fuel dumped through the fuel dump port at the back of the plane, and lit by the afterburners. You could waterski behind the fishing boat as it left.
No he turned on terrain overide end of your silly comment
This beautiful aircraft has been flying over my house for the last few days, just after it takes off. It makes the ground shake.
Greg Hawkins Mine, too, East Sacramento.
@@mojo4849 Fulton Ave.
She's old, she's not the biggest of them all anymore, but this graceful, mighty beast will always be THE QUEEN
Oh yes she is ain’t no other like her...won’t dare do this with a A380😂🤣
not so fast my friend, they were still being built up until a few years ago and in various sizes
Never would have dreamed a 747 was so agile. Amazing photography! Thumbs up.
In my opinion, there's not a more beautiful plane than this, any 747 any configuration, any plane anywhere. Period!
Saw it fly by earlier and I can hear it circling right now. Can't thank possibly thank them enough.
Wow! Great slow flight with full flaps. A great pilot. My dad worked on the 747 design at Northrop in 1969.
Didn't know Northrop was in on the 747.
@@danmilosevich hi, yes, they helped design the cargo door locks and other fuselage parts. My dad went up to the Boeing plant in Everett, Washington on the job. It was among time ago but all the Northrop employees got to go on board the TWA 747 open house at LAX. I remember the red and white seats.
Corinne Stefanko Are those the cargo door latches at the heart of United flight 811 in 1989?
To see such a massive aircraft fly through huge columns of smoke... Definitely the most magnificent footage of an airplane I have ever seen. All hail the fire-fighting queen!
The communities are so grateful to have this bird in the sky.
I don't Know what is more impressive, if it's the plane itself or the cameraman behind the lens
Its computer controlled servo motor doing the job.. that's the ticking noise..
Your pilots are amazing, when I look down at that tiny little windshield, you are there piloting that huge beast, amazing!!!! Please stay safe and thank you for your service!!!!
It drops minced fire extinguishers. That’s why the mist is red.
Proud to be an Avionics Engineer on this beauty .... the best A/C ever including 737.....made in America
Kudos to the camera operator keeping that beautiful bird centered in the frame from such a distance and from a moving helicopter!
Wow, I couldn't believe my eyes that this giant 747 is so beautiful when flying over the trees like birds. Thanks for the video.
Superb camera work in this video but that 47 pilot has got to have cajones of pure titanium!
@SGT Andy Dixon We bet
Incredible pilot skills at that altitude! Very good video, thanks.
What an awesome sight, I tip my hat to the pilot and co pilot
Flying a 747 low and slow. Balls. Takes balls.
That bad ass 747 was the same plane that boarided the entrance of our property last week . It was amazing how low altitude he sprayed the boride at , he must have been flying 3.5 stories high to do his drop, we all thought he was going to crash , the best amazing thing I've ever saw in my life . Thank you to the crew , Bless your ❤ & thank you .
Beautiful shoots of this airplane, but more importan, it is a really effective firefighter machine.
At the sommer time in 2017 a very big forest fire occurs in south of Santiago de Chile. This plane made a really good work and a lot of familys remember with gratitude.
A Chilean businessman rent an paid the bill, an it was the most importan part of the solution of that catastrophe. God bless them all.
Queen of the sky's flown by pilots with balls of steel! Just look at those flaps and thrust. Serious AOA change as that bird drops her payload! Wow! This is skill!
I live near where one of the big wildfires started and quickly spread earlier this month. Lucky for us we were upwind and it moved away from us into the foothills over the next few weeks as they fought to contain and then extinguish it. Not so lucky for those in its path, but through the skill and bravery of the firefighters and LE they were able to evacuate everyone in its path and save all but a few structures. My dog and I happened to be at a park near where it started and the first firefighting aircraft were arriving. I later read that there were only three 747 tankers made, only one is still flying (the one in the video), and it flew down from Sacramento that evening to help fight our fire. I think we were standing there watching when it arrived. It came down out of the north, rapidly losing altitude and flying around a mountain before circling lower, getting into position, and making its first pass with retardant. We watched it make several low, banking passes like in the video until the sun started going down and all of the aircraft on scene had to clear out for the night. It was amazing watching them do their job over the next several days with tankers of all sizes, including the 747, a DC-10, and several C-130's.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/747_Supertanker
Flying a 747 like a crop duster. Must be a wild ride. Sign me up for a run.
Some of the most extraordinary flying I’ve ever seen. Dropped right over target in a perfect line in two flyovers. That 747 was like a two seater Cessna under that pilot’s control. Bravo and thank you!
Whoever is flying that is a complete badass.
Marc Kelly thanks
The plane is absolutely poetry in motion. What a fantastic pilot.
It's kinda unreal to see a bird so big fly so low that long with out clipping a ridge and creating an even bigger fire. Props to the pilot with huge clanking balls of steal for doing that job.
Pretty sure this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Check out the video of Blondie doing Sunday Girl on Top of the Pops,
When a massive wildfire is near your street, to see this thing approaching is like a gift from God.
No shit, my house is about 10 miles from the bridge at 2:18
If America would get its act together, our future would be full of more beautiful and timeless things like the ever awe inspiring Boeing 747. Let's do that!
The GPWS call out must be going off like crazy in that cockpit
First drop 4:15
Second drop 6:15
My God, mad skills to maneuver that monster in that terrain. Like a big graceful bird. What a rush! It's beautiful to watch. Hearing the sound of the engines would have made this perfect.
Unfortunately the helicopter needs to stay about three miles from the 747, so you can't hear the 747 over the noise of the helicopter.
The trophy goes to the photographer... to be able to capture that clear and smooth from a chopper is outstanding...
Some of the "scenes" could easily pass for cinematic movies.
We ALMOST got a glimpse of the jet pilot a couple times....
All that from at LEAST 500-700 feet away... just wow.
Thank you for the kind words... Just so you know, we were at 7000 feet, so this is shot from about 1 & 1/2 miles away.
@@wcolby thats incredible 👏
@@wcolby that's really cool
I never realized what a beautiful plane a 747 is in flight, it looks so graceful.
Awesome Boeing aircraft. So so wish the many 747 400 sitting around could be converted and put to good use like this.
Very expensive. Over $ 5000.an hr just to operate.
This is absolutely macnificent video and footage. I think it's actually spectacular. The fire is heartbreaking though. This video is outstanding and really very very mesmerizing. Totally captivating. I really love that plane.
You're very generous for posting such a wonderful viewing experience for aviation fans around the world to share. Thank you!
In America there's no reason not to have 50 of these planes fighting fires.
Just rake the floor and all will be well.
There is its called money the fire retardant alone has insane costs
@@julius855 Military budget is 720B, you think they'd miss 1B?
@@DamianPenney nope not at all but because its america they wouldnt cut a single cent of the military
I worked on Tail # 945 in Marana, AZ The modifications alone cost several million dollars and operating expenses are more than $5,000 per hour
I would imagine flying that around there is like trying to bring a super tanker into harbour without tugs. That is some amazing flying!
An example of true professionals in action.
Now that's some real camera work, pilot action, and the good kind of superspreader needed in California. Thanks and keep safe.
This pilot deserves a medal!!!
A true hero in her own right⭐️⭐️Just lovely watching her❤️
praises to cameraman for growing wings just to film this
A personal thank you to the crew....you saved our lives as you put out the Glass Fire! And d AETNA PORTION of LNU Complex!
I want one of these for my up-coming Aussie fire season. Awesome!!
Y’all stay safe down under. Try to get Morrison and Canberra to set up a pipeline from the ocean and build a mass irrigation system. Just a thought.
454bigblock @ thanks mate! Every fire season we hire two massive Ericsson Skycranes from you blokes to help us with our bush fires: “Georgia Peach” and “Elvis”. 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
England is best ever
What a job for a heavy pilot, you get to fly a 747 around like a crop duster.
The Boeing 747 Global Super Tanker in action is one of the sexiest Goddamn things I have ever seen in my entire life.
Wow if you have an emotional brokenheart for Cali & her wildfires raging + a love for commercial airliners /jumbo jets this video footage of a Firefighting Supertanker is just phenomenal.
Those pilots are insane. Wonder if their seats are modified so they have somewhere to put their balls
That's one hell of a pilot
So is the camera man!
Queen of the sky's after all these years!
Let's be honest here, the only reason that jet is flying so low is because of the weight of that pilots balls.
The set of stones you have to have to fly a 747 full of water low and slow over a mountainside on fire....how does he fit into the seat?
Hahaha !,,,,awesome !
How on Earth can anyone give this a thumbs down? Obviously they're Airbus fans . The 747 is just a masterpiece design. I must say I also like the A380. What an absolute beauty she is.
Laurieann Rogan •
don't let haters make you sad... Most people that hit the thumb down are....
1) people that don't understand aerial firefighting and think the tanker missed.
2) people that think "we don't like forest fires" so thumbs down...
3) People that don't like the natural sound.
4) Airbus Employees
5) Please don't forget to like & subscribe.
Incredible filming.
There are so many 747s mothballed in storage now. With the wildfire situation as it is, we should convert 10 or maybe 20 of those into firefighting planes. Yes, it will cost money, but note that the Camp Fire alone in 2018 caused $16 billion in damage.
You're right but they also cost more than $5000 an hour to operate.
It’s just not natural to be yanking and banking one of these planes around in hilly terrain like this. And I’m a pilot. Kudos to the pilots and crew that fly these dangerous missions!
You said it right... "It's just not natural."...
Never went into old Hong Kong on a '47?
scheusselmensch nope but just as bad
Yall know that the plane was photoshopped in right? Its especially obvious at the beginning.
@@rodrigogonzalez3620 Y'all know your brain was photoshopped in, right? It's especially obvious at the beginning.
The Queen of the Sky, Elegant and Gracious forever.
You said it. The most graceful aircraft I have ever seen take off. The wings were designed from a bird. I think an albatross.
This has got to be some of the most dangerous flying - mountainous terrain thermal turbulence!
Yes, and smoke...
I used to paint the town red when I was young. This goes a little faster and is much more impressive.
He’s flying that thang like a fighter
I was about to comment the same but you beat me to it...by 6 days.
Daniel Ramirez Cabal yeah that guy knows how to fly but also proves how dangerous fighting these fires is, god bless these fire fighters
You are a real cowboy if you fly a 747 like that. Must be retired C-17 pilot!