MISSOULA — Montana-based Neptune Aviation Services says it has permission to start flying its second jet-powered retardant bomber to battle wildfires through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.
Neptune Aviation President Dan Snyder tells the Missoulian (http://bit.ly/PLTASl) that an additional equipment agreement that runs from Saturday to Nov. 9 means the company can start using the aircraft.
The aircraft had been expected to start battling wildfires in August but was grounded after two unsuccessful competitors protested the contract awarded to the Missoula-based company.
The company has one other BAe-146 already fighting wildfires along with seven Korean War-era Lockheed P2V bombers.
But officials say the jets are faster and can carry more retardant than the older planes.