AT-802F Fire Boss

The Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss represents a revolutionary shift in rapid-response aerial firefighting by converting a standard land-based air tanker into a highly productive amphibious water scooper. Built on the rugged AT-802F platform and equipped with advanced Wipaire amphibious floats, the Fire Boss eliminates the operational delays associated with traditional land bases. When a fast-moving wildfire threatens communities, this aircraft utilizes nearby lakes, rivers, and reservoirs to scoop, drop, and repeat without ever turning back to an airport runway.

By deploying the Fire Boss, agencies and contractors unlock a relentless tempo of water delivery that heavy land-based tankers simply cannot match. If a water source is located within a few miles of the fire line, a single Fire Boss can scoop a full load of water in roughly 15 seconds while skimming across the surface, delivering up to 14,000 gallons of water per hour directly onto the flames. This continuous tactical presence cools the head of a fire, assists ground crews immediately, and halts the advancement of remote wildland blazes before they escalate into massive regional disasters.

High-Power Marine Handling & Tactical Adaptability

Operating an amphibious aircraft in turbulent, smoke-filled air demands immense structural strength and exceptional engine performance. The Fire Boss is powered by the high-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine, generating 1,600 horsepower to provide rapid water-takeoff acceleration and massive climbing reserves. The specialized amphibious floats feature integrated retractable landing gear, granting pilots the ultimate flexibility to land on paved airport runways for fuel and retardant or shift seamlessly to natural water staging zones near the fire line.

In the cockpit, pilots operate a highly specialized digital tactical workstation. The aircraft features a computer-controlled fire door system that permits highly uniform, customizable water and foam drops based on live airspeed data. The cockpit layout is engineered to ease the high physical workload of continuous water skimming operations, providing clear visibility and intuitive control access. For modern aerial firefighting operations seeking unparalleled turnaround times, precision digital flow controls, and extreme mission versatility, the Fire Boss is the premier amphibious platform.

Why Choose the Fire Boss?

  • Relentless Close-Proximity Attack: Stays on station for hours, conducting rapid water scoops from local lakes and rivers to maintain a continuous cycle of drops.
  • Rapid Turnaround Scooping: Fully reloads its 800-gallon water tank in approximately 12 to 15 seconds while skimming along the water’s surface at high speed.
  • Amphibious Runway Flexibility: Features robust amphibious floats with retractable landing gear, allowing it to operate from traditional airport runways or open water.

Technical Specifications

  • Engine Type: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F Turboprop
  • Engine Power: 1,600 SHP @ 1,700 RPM
  • Propeller: Hartzell 5-Blade Constant Speed Structural Aluminum
  • Water Tank Capacity: 800 US Gallons (3,028 L)
  • Useful Load: 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) on water operations
  • Float Type: Wipaire 10000 Amphibious Floats with Retractable Landing Gear
  • Maximum Take-off Weight (On Land): 16,000 lbs (7,257 kg)
  • Maximum Take-off Weight (On Water): 11,500 lbs (5,216 kg)
  • Fuel Capacity: 254 US Gallons (961 L)
  • Wingspan: 59.2 ft (18.04 m)

Flight Performance Data

  • Typical Scooping Speed: 75–85 mph (65–74 kts) on water surface
  • Cruising Speed (Ferrying): 165 mph (143 kts) with floats installed
  • Water Scooping Run: Requires approximately 3,000 to 4,000 ft of open water
  • Delivery Capacity: Up to 14,000 gallons per hour depending on distance to water source
  • Rate of Climb: 750 fpm at maximum water weight
  • Stall Speed (Flaps Down): 82 mph (71 kts) at 11,500 lbs
  • Stall Speed (As Usually Landed): 62 mph (54 kts)