1967 marked the year Air Spray was incorporated as a forest fire suppression company.
Having experience flying numerous aircraft in various roles, Air Spray's founder, Don Hamilton, saw the opportunity to use an old A 26 aircraft to fight forest fires in Alberta. The aircraft was converted to the air tanker role after the installation of a tank to hold the fire retardant in the old bomb bay. Paired with a Cessna 310 as a Bird Dog or spotter aircraft, this marked the beginning of Air Spray and an exciting era of fire suppression in Western Canada. Click here for more information about aerial forest fire fighting...
The A 26 was built during the 1940s and flown in both World War II and the Korean War. The A 26 flew over 30 seasons with Air Spray throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. At its peak, Air Spray owned and operated 18 of the aircraft. Able to haul 900 US gallons of fire retardant and flying at a speed of 210 knots the A 26 was the work horse of Air Spray's air tanker fleet. Click here for more information on the A 26...
The Canadair CL - 215 amphibious or "skimmer" aircraft was added to the Air Spray fleet in 1986. The CL-215 skimmer aircraft enabled Air Spray to operate from lakes throughout Alberta. In 2009 the three remaining CL-215 aircraft owned and operated by Air Spray were sold to the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK). Click here for more information on the CL - 215...
Air Spray eventually saw the need for an aircraft that could haul a larger amount of retardant to aid in the initial attack of wildfires. Other key factors in choosing the next generation aircraft was speed, safety and manueverability. The ideal aircraft was determined to be the four engine Lockheed Electra L- 188. The L-188 Electra is considered by Air Spray to be the optimal large capacity or "heavy" air tanker for the control of wild fires. The L-188 Electra is fast, maneuverable and capable of carrying large loads of retardant. Additionally, its tremendous power reserve contributes to an excellent margin of safety.