To mark the official start of the season forest fires In 2019, the Minister for the Interior, Christophe Castaner, visited the Civil Protection air base at Nîmes-Garons, in the Gard (30), in early June.
One of the six Dash aircraft ordered in July 2017 was taken delivery of this week. The Dash was selected in 2005 to replace the Fokker 27s. It is a ground transport aircraft, equipped with a 10,000-litre cargo hold. This choice has been criticised because of its 2g (unit of acceleration) limit during take-off and landing, compared with 3.25g for the Civil Protection Service’s other aircraft.
He will fly over Paris on 14 July
He will, however, spend some time in the custody of the DGA -Directorate-General for Armaments- for acceptance procedures before it can be put into active service. Apart from its livery, the aircraft differs in a number of ways from the two already in service, as it is equipped with an infrared camera that can be used for approaches in reduced visibility and, potentially, to see through smoke, as well as featuring new configurations.
The Civil Protection Service is also counting on him to fly its new colours over Paris on 14 July!