Shane T. Adams - Chaos & Beauty: Portraits

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Fueler, loaderman, and a pilot wait for the next forest fire call. Air tanker base, northern Alberta.

Pat Coakley said...: I tried to leave a comment under OPEN ID and got nowhere so will try with google ID. Are these men jumpers? I love the photos of them taking care of their planes. I am amazed at the range of ages and physical fitness if they are jumpers. It is such a dangerous occupation. Maybe the older ones are flying the plane? Can't figure it out!; July 27, 2008 4:47 AM
Shane said...: No jumpers, Pat. The fueler assists the pilots during refueling ops on the ground, the loaderman pumps fire retardant (mud, we call it) into the tank of the air tankers, and the gentleman on the far right is a birddog pilot. He demonstrates to the tanker pilots where he wants the retardant dropped by flying the exact same run. Then the birddog follows the tanker in to score the drop for accuracy and to ensure that they fly the correct exit - essential in smoke-reduced visibility in mountainous terrain. Often the birddog goes and "finds" a tanker and leads him into the target with the tanker a few hundred feet behind him. Adding to that workload is airspace control - helicopters, waiting tankers, etc.

I'll be posting some portraits of RAP crews shortly - the men and women who rappel out of a helicopter into a fire where there is no suitable landing area.; July 27, 2008 9:28 AM

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Shane T. Adams - Chaos & Beauty