HISTORY The Martin Mars was built as a long range US Navy Troop and Freight transport aircraft to fly from the continental United States to the Hawaiian Islands. There were originally 6 built of which Coulson Flying Tankers owns the last 2 remaining. Between these 2 aircraft they have flown over 8000 fire missions throughout British Columbia, Canada dropping over 182 million litres of water/gel/foam. Coulson Aircrane purchased the last 2 remaining Martin Mars water scooping aircraft in 2007. These aircraft (Hawaii/Philippine) were operated for the last 47 years in British Columbia by a private consortium of 5 forestry companies. Since Coulson has purchased these aircraft, the Hawaii Mars has worked in British Columbia and California in 2007, 2008, and 2009 for the British Columbia Forest Service, CAL Fire and the United States Forest Service. Aircraft Information Length 120 ft Wingspan 200 ft Height 38 ft Wing Area 3,686 sq ft Engines 4 Wright Cyclone R3350 producing 2500 hp each Empty Weight Pounds 75,573 Kilograms 34,280 Maximum Gross Weight Pounds 175,000 Kilograms 79,378 Fuel Capacity Gallons (US) 8,000 Litres 30,300 Range Maximum Fuel Nautical Miles 2,700 Kilometers 5,000 Water Tank Capacity Gallons (US) 7,200 Litres 27,200 Speed Maximum 190 kts Cruise 165 kts Bombing 120 kts
MARS OPERATIONS The Mars is the largest seaplane in the world with a tank capacity of 27,200 litres. The aircraft needs approx 3 miles of water to operate from and scoops a full load in 35 seconds. Typically the Mars is dispatched with 3 hours of fuel plus 1 hour reserve and can work from the closest water source to the fire. To remote base the aircraft, an existing boat launching ramp is ideal and the aircraft is moored approx 250ft offshore. The Mars is a self contained gel base that can be located remotely for an indefinite period of time. Along with the Aircraft, the Mars support team consists of: 35,000 litre Fuel Truck 52ft Nascar Parts Support Trailer 45ft Prevost Command and Control / Security Bus Crane Truck Maintenance Boat Crew Boat 2 Crew vehicles Gel support trailer The ideal operation for the Martin Mars is to be direct attack with gel, and given a close water source the Mars can deliver up to 91,000 litres of product per hour. At Lake Shasta, California in 2008 the Mars produced 436,000 litres in a 7 flight hour period several days in a row. COCKPIT In 2009, Coulson Flying Tankers installed a Garmin EFIS Glass Cockpit system in the Hawaii Mars, making it one of the most technologically advanced tankers in the world. The system consists of 2 Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and 2 Multi Function Displays (MFD). The PFD screens display aircraft details and Synthetic Vision while the MFD screens display GPS, Terrain Avoidance, Traffic Collision Avoidance (TCAS), and XM Weather data. For communications, the Mars has been outfitted with 2 Technosonics P25 FM Radios and multiple sat phone connections. GEL SYSTEM The Martin Mars is the only fixed wing platform in the world that has a onboard gel injection system. We have onboard storage for 3100 litres of Gel which gives the Mars the ability to drop approx 20 loads of Gel before reloading. The gel gets mixed in with the water as it enters the tank at 760 litres/second. The injection system can mix up to 3% gel.
MARTIN MARS ACCOUNTABILITY Over the last 3 years, Coulson Aircrane and Latitude Technologies have developed the Coulson Air Tanker Information System (CATIS) that transmits real time event data over the iridium satellite network. CATIS transmits Fill and Drop events in addition to the standard Take-Off and Landing notifications. Intersecting lines between doors open and doors close events are highlighted by thicker orange lines laid over Google maps highlighting exact drop placement. The following information is included in every event node we send: Latitude/Longitude Speed Altitude % of Gel in Load Radar Altimeter Reading at Time of Drop Volume in Tank Time of Drop Outside Temperature Humidity at Time of Drop This image demonstrates how each event has its own color, Aircraft events are yellow, fill/drop events are orange, and the standard 2 minute AFF reports are white. The CATIS box is a fully integrated component of the Latitude S200 AFF system and utilizes 2 way communication giving us the ability to send remote configurations and run diagnostics if there is a problem. The box is a closed system in that nothing can be tampered with, it takes raw inputs directly from the different components (level sensors, radar altimeter, ect) and compiles them into one packet for the most cost effective data transfer. It works with the S200 to prioritize what data needs to go first, insuring the 2 minute AFF reports are not interrupted by a drop event. This cost per gallon report is automatically generated and updated after each drop. We input the contract daily and hourly charges as well as the gel cost and the last fuel purchase price to ensure the cost data we are producing is accurate. Coulson Flying Tankers uses its AFF data directly to generate invoices to the contracting agency based on aircraft generated events. The AFF log is never deleted so the backup is always available.
URBAN INTERFACE / STRUCTURE PROTECTION In 2008 Coulson hired the United States Forest Service and FP Innovations working in conjunction with the British Columbia Forest Service to setup a grid test that included 9 structures within the drop zone. In order for the Mars to be approved for the USFS Air Tanker Board the Mars had to meet certain criteria. FP Innovations outfitted the structures with load and pressure sensors to determine if the Mars drop impact would damage a house structure. Based on the 13 drops the FP Innovations report states, "A drop height of 300 ft ensures the full load of gel reaches terminal velocity, load break fully occurs, and rain down effect occurs achieving coverage level 8 on the desired target." The Mars has the highest tank flow rate in the industry at 2600 gal/sec with a 3.5 acre coverage per drop that includes 2 acres at coverage level 4 and higher. SAFETY Running a safe operation is always the #1 priority for Coulson Flying Tankers. Between our extensive annual inspections and our Continued Airworthiness Program that has been developed with NASA, we go through and inspect the entire aircraft every winter. Ten years ago strain and g-force loading gauges were installed in the wings and tail for load monitoring and the data can be downloaded and analyzed after every flight to make sure there was no excessive strain on the aircraft. We are an ISO 14000 certified company so all fuel/gel handling and waste disposal procedures are strictly enforced. We have been approved and operated out of the most environmentally conscious water bodies in North America with excellent success. Wayne Coulson Office: (250) 724-7600 Mobile: (250) 720-6723 wayne.coulson@coulsongroup.com Coulson Aircrane Ltd 7500 Airport Road, Port Alberni British Columbia, Canada V9Y 7L7