American Champion’s Aqua-Bama

(Rochester, Wisconsin, www.AmerChampionAircraft.com)

            American Champion Aircraft’s (ACA) array of aircraft at Sun’n fun included its popular super Decathalon aerobatic ship and the 8GCBC Scout.  All new aircraft are now pre-installed with a mounting bracket just outboard of the right forward wing strut to hold an optional Forward.Vision  EVS-100 infrared camera system.  ACA described how specially modified Scouts, dubbed the “Aqua-Bamas,” are being certificated at a higher maximum takeoff weight of 2,600 pounds to serve as an aerial “bucket brigade” to fight spot fires and provide a cost-effective alternative to firefighting helicopters.  EVS infrared cameras play a crucial role in guiding pilots through smoke and terrain to deliver 100 gallons of water or Calss A foam.  A small fleet of such aircraft will operate from roads close to the fire, refilling from pre-positioned bladders.