brochure - Martin Mars

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:
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35,000 litre Fuel Truck
52ft Nascar Parts Support
Trailer
45ft Prevost Command and
Control / Security Bus
Crane Truck
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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:
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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