Aero-Flite announced on May 3 that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) on the Dash 8-400AT airtanker. Based in Spokane, Aero-Flite has shown an ongoing interest in the U.S. certification of the airtanker version of the Dash-8 airliner.
Aero-Flite, currently operating AVRO RJ-85 and Canadair CL-415 airtankers, wants to add the Dash-8 to its fleet; scramble.nl reported that Aero-Flite hopes to add two Dash 8-aircraft to its fleet before the end of the year. This FAA approval will allow U.S.-registered Dash 8-tankers to fly aerial firefighting missions across all states.
The Aero-Flite airtankers will be operating under a long-term, multiyear contract with the State of Washington. The airtankers will be available from Washington to other U.S. agencies, including federal agencies and other state agencies that request their use on fires.
Canadian firefighting company Conair and the French Securité Civile have for years used firefighting versions of the Dash-8.
