Summer in Spain

Summer of 2006 Trotter Controls was asked by Air Tractor to perform multiple upgrades and general maintenance to the first generation Fire Retardant Dispersal Systems (FRDS) on more than 40 aircraft scattered around Spain.

The initial plan was to break into multiple teams and perform key upgrades to the system before the Spain fire season started. In the course of doing these upgrades a number of maintenance issues were found and a 2nd round of maintenance was deemed necessary.

Unfortunately, by this time fire season had started and the crews in Spain were forced to work during off hours (at night) under a strict mandate that the planes must be ready to fly by the next day. This meant a rather odd schedule for the Trotter Controls crew and many a sunrise. By the end of summer Trotter Controls had met or exceeded all goals for the trip, performing much needed maintenance and system upgrades to the Spanish fleet of over 40 aircraft.