Irkut is preparing to send one of its prototype Be-200 firefighting aircraft to California later this summer in the first trial of the amphibian in the US. Although the company does not underestimate the multiple hurdles it will have to overcome to achieve its goal, "it is our intention to do it", says Alexander Kuleshov, Be-200 programme manager.
The Russian manufacturer first presented the aircraft to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) in 2003. The latest effort to show the aircraft's capabilities in the US is in response to a recent request from the CDF.
At present the CDF operates a fleet of Grumman S-2T airtankers and UH-1H Super Huey helicopters on firefighting duties. "It is not so easy to arrange because there are a lot of formalities," says Kuleshov, of the possible US mission. This mainly involves working with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assure it of the Be-200's reliability and safety. In addition, Irkut needs to work with an experienced US firefighting aircraft operator, he says.
The company is close to finalising an agreement to conduct the US demonstration with a large local operator. This includes a financial arrangement with the potential US partner to establish the operation, he says.
"Our target is to fly the aircraft in California in October," he says, which will catch the tail end of the state's fire season. The crew for the demonstration will be drawn from Irkut's Be-200 test pilots and from the US firefighting operator. A similar arrangement is in place for a Be-200 lease taking place this summer in Italy. There a Be-200 is being operated by Italian firefighting company Sorem with Italian and Russian pilots.
As the summer trials continue, Irkut is in detailed negotiations with EADS to establish a formal joint venture to develop, market and support the Be-200, including extensive talks here at the show. Irkut is planning to obtain European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA certification for the aircraft. Irkut and EADS have been co-operating on its development for four years.
The joint venture company would see the European giant helping to market the Be-200 internationally, managing the EASA certification process and developing a product support system. The aim is for European certification by 2007, says Kuleshov.
This summer there are three Be-200s operating with Russia's ministry of emergencies in with full firefighting capability. The Be-200 can carry 12t of water drawn through four retractable scoops while performing a touch-and-go landing on a lake or the sea. It drops the water in around 1s at speeds in excess of 120kt (220km/h).
Source: Flight Daily News
