Drop a ton of water in three seconds in the heart of a fire. This is what the new system just patented by Air Zermatt promises, according to a press release issued on Wednesday by the Valais company.
Beat Perren, the founder of Air Zermatt, is behind a new extinguishing tank. Its objective is to improve firefighting by means of helicopters.
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A filling in 25 seconds
The extinguishing tank would be more effective than the current systems, because it makes it possible to approach the flames. It is fixed to the helicopter by cables which can be extended. In this way, the water is poured as close as possible to the fire without massive evaporation. Filling it only takes 25 seconds, says the Haut-Valais company.
Air Zermatt also points out that, unlike extinguishing bags, the aluminum tub cannot get tangled in the tail rotor of the helicopter.