NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Hot rods of the sky: Kalitta’s connection to the firefighting DC-10s above Los Angeles

Kalitta Air’s expertise helped build and service the mighty 10 Tanker DC-10s that have dropped fire retardant above Southern California.
20 Jan 2025
David Kennedy
News
10 Tanker DC-10 at Kalitta Air

Los Angeles residents have been looking skyward these last weeks, witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of massive Douglas Aircraft-built DC-10 airplanes dropping bright red fire retardant over wildfires threatening homes and neighborhoods. These powerful aircraft, operated by 10 Tanker Air Carrier headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are not just saving the day—they are a testament to the ingenuity and passion of the racing and aviation worlds, brought together by Connie Kalitta and his team at Kalitta Air.

While Connie Kalitta, nor Kalitta Air, nor Kalitta Charters, nor Kalitta Motorsports own these firefighting planes, Kalitta’s legendary aviation company played a pivotal role in 10 Tanker’s DC-10 transformation. Known for hot-rodding dragsters in the 1960s, Connie Kalitta parlayed his drag racing success into a career in aviation, building one of the most respected air cargo and logistics operations in the world. Today, Kalitta Air operates a global fleet of aircraft for freight and logistical services. It was this team of aviation experts who helped design and install the 12,000-gallon tanks that give 10 Tanker’s DC-10s their fire suppression superpowers.

A Full Circle Moment for the DC-10

Adding a poetic twist to the story, the DC-10s currently flying over Southern California were originally built just a few miles south of the fires in Long Beach by Douglas Aircraft. Designed as long-range commercial airliners, the triple-turbine-powered DC-10s were engineered to carry heavy payloads—a characteristic that makes them perfectly suited for their firefighting missions today. It’s fitting that these iconic planes have returned to the region that created them, now helping to save lives and protect the very land where they were built.

The transformation of these aircraft into firefighting machines is nothing short of remarkable. Equipped with tanks capable of holding 12,000 gallons of fire retardant—a payload weighing nearly 100,000 pounds—the DC-10s deliver an immense volume of fire suppression in a single pass. This combination of power and precision is essential in the battle against fast-moving wildfires that threaten homes and ecosystems.

Drag Racing Meets Aviation Innovation

Known for building fast cars and even faster teams, Kalitta carried his ingenuity and can-do attitude into the aviation world. What began as a small operation has grown into a global enterprise, offering everything from cargo logistics to specialized modifications like the massive tanks used in the DC-10 firefighting planes.

The design and installation of these tanks by Kalitta Air’s team ensured the DC-10 could dispense its payload with precision, making it one of the most effective tools in modern firefighting. Each drop can cover up to 60 acres in a single pass, delivering fire retardant exactly where it’s needed to slow the spread of flames and protect vulnerable areas.

The Role of Kalitta Maintenance

From Bob Fabyan, Senior Director of Base Maintenance, "I am responsible for all maintenance operations in Oscoda, Mich.,  and Cincinnati (CVG), which includes all Kalitta Air aircraft as well as customers. We perform maintenance under the 121 and 145 regulations."

  • In Oscoda, Mich., Kalitta Air performs Line Maintenance, 1 A-checks, 2 C-checks, 3 D-checks, and aircraft modifications. The Oscoda facility boasts six hangars, three engine shops (CF-6, PW4000, CFM56), a 10-meter test cell, a PMA division, a calibration lab, a machine shop, and a 901 APU shop.
  • 10 Tanker has been a customer since November 2008, with Kalitta performing 2 C-checks and tank modifications on their DC-10s to fight fires. The tank installation, holding 12,000 gallons of fire retardant, transforms these planes into aerial firefighting giants.
  • Kalitta Maintenance also installs the STS and has built several tanks currently operating in the 10 Tanker fleet. During maintenance checks, the tanks are removed, cleaned, repaired, reinstalled, and tested for leaks, ensuring optimal performance.
  • "10 Tanker is a unique customer," Fabyan continues, "and their maintenance brings new challenges that our mechanics excel in."

Saving Los Angeles—One Drop at a Time

In January, the wildfires near Los Angeles prompted the activation of the DC-10s, which have been a crucial part of the firefighting effort. Residents have reported seeing the planes flying low and steady, releasing their massive payloads in sweeping arcs across the hillsides. The sight of these planes in action is a reminder of the power of engineering and innovation to tackle some of the region’s toughest challenges.

As Los Angeles breathes easier thanks to the 10 Tanker DC-10 firefighting planes overhead, it’s clear that Kalitta Air’s aviation team has not only risen to the challenge of supporting these machines but soared beyond expectations.

Interested in joining the team? Kalitta Air is hiring experienced mechanics and apprentices. Apply here.

 

Explained! Aircraft maintenance checks by the National Aviation Academy:

1 A Checks happen approximately every 400-600 flight hours or every 200-300 flights, according to specifications for an individual aircraft.

For an A Check, the aircraft will be taken to a hangar, usually overnight so that it is not out of commission during busy daytime flight times. The A Check requires careful examination of the body of the aircraft for evidence of damage, deformation, corrosion, or missing parts. Some of the tasks technicians perform during A Checks include:

  • Changing filters
  • Lubricating key systems
  • Inspecting emergency equipment (like inflatable slides and emergency lights)

A typical A Check involves more than a line maintenance check and takes approximately six to 24 hours. A Checks are essential for preventative aircraft maintenance and ensuring the safe operation of aircraft.

2 C and D checks typically fall under “heavy maintenance” and are much more extensive than the A check. The C check requires an aviation maintenance technician to perform a deep inspection of a majority of the aircraft’s parts.  

This type of check often requires an aircraft to stay at a maintenance facility for the necessary space/tools/maintenance technician working hours/materials. Up to 6,000 maintenance hours are typically needed for C checks.

Aviation maintenance technicians will perform certain tasks during C checks, such as:

  • Examination of structures (load-bearing components on the fuselage and wings) and functions for corrosion and damage
  • Checking the operation of the DC bus tie control unit
  • In-depth lubrication of all fittings and cables

3 The D Check is also known as a structural check and is the most extensive of them all, costing several million dollars. The D Check happens every six to ten years and basically, a crew dismantles the entire aircraft and puts it back together again over a month or so.

During a D check, the cabin is taken apart and inspected and even the engines and landing gear come off. This is a deep process of the structure itself, looking for any signs of corrosion, structural deformation, cracking, or deterioration/distress using special equipment and techniques. The D Check includes all the lower checks, too, and is the most robust, intense aircraft check performed by technicians.