12/31/2011. Remarks by Doug Duncan: "The Boeing Vertol 107 is the civilian version of the US Navy's and the Marine Corps' CH-46 Sea Knight, the little brother of the much larger CH-47 Chinook. At the moment eighteen examples of this helicopter type are registered to Columbia Helicopters Leasing, Inc, of Portland, Oregon, and are being used for a number of duties, including firefighting. A number were temporarily stationed at Casparis Airport for the fire season.
It is powered by two General Electric CT58 engines, and suspended at the end of a cable is an 1,100 gal (4,164 l) water bucket, with an electronic gate at the bottom that can be opened and closed remotely. The pilot said they lower the bucket down into the water with the gate open until there is 18" (45 cm) of water (all they can manage at this altitude and this heat) and then close the gate. The gate can release water only as needed to save for multiple passes. To save weight, all interior has been removed.
