Game Composites, which manufactures the GB1 aerobatic aircraft, is working on developing the GB2 Stormbird, an all-composite, two-seat, low-wing aircraft designed for aerial firefighting.
The GB2, which will be constructed with lightweight carbon fiber, will be capable of carrying up to 1,200 gallons of fire retardant at speeds exceeding 200 knots, according to company officials.
With a projected empty weight of 6,000 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds, the aircraft aims to achieve a useful load more than double its empty weight, company officials added.
Flight testing for the GB2 prototype is scheduled to start in late 2025, with first deliveries planned for 2026. FAA type certification expected by 2027, according to company officials.
For more information: GameComposites.com
1200 gallons isn’t much per pass.
First of all why oh why would anyone want to own or use a composite aircraft for this type of service? The maintenance issues will be a HUGE problem as will adequate internal structural inspection. Boy Howdy, it certainly will be ball of fun to repair delaminating skins a spars!
Have you ever noticed that these lofty announcements rarely tell you how much the aircraft is expected to cost? Maybe it is one of those, “If you have to ask, then you can’t afford it” type of things. I called the number on the website that is linked to the story and nobody answered. I noticed that no prices are mentioned on the site for their aerobatic aircraft, either.
Sometimes the pricing on these sites will not appear if your browser is set to reject tracking cookies or if you are using a VPN. People who design the sites often do not even know that the default settings of their website does not display key information to visitors who do not have tracking cookies enabled. This is a simple fix and the default for all websites really should be to not require tracking cookies.
Has anyone else noticed that many of today’s businesses NEVER answer their phones? How do they conduct business when they don’t even pick-up the phones or are perpetually “out of the office.” I was interested in an aircraft that would compete with the Airtractor 802F because every time I call their office they are always, in a meeting. I definitely do not want to put up with that crap anymore so I hope that there will be more competing aircraft in this segment of the market so I don’t have to deal with Airtractor’s anonymous, unreachable reps.
What about Thrush?