Evergreen choose the Boeing 747 for the Supertanker. We believe that the next generation airtanker should be a currently manufactured turbine powered aircraft certified under transport category standards.

In contrast to today’s airtankers, the Supertanker will fly within the Boeing 747’s original design envelope. Boeing has worked with Evergreen to support the preliminary engineering studies and certification of components of the 747 Supertanker program. Based on those studies, Boeing supports the concept and capability of the 747 to perform aerial applications.

The Supertanker concept also seeks to elevate aerial firefighting safety and training standards. Evergreen feels an airtanker crew training program formatted under FAR Part 121 and involving both simulator and ground training should be realized. This training would be enhanced to address the unique operating environment and characteristics of air tanker crews. In addition, by providing the flight crew with a pressurized aircraft equipped with autopilots, improvements will be realized related to crew stress and fatigue.

The Supertanker will bring to the aerial firefighting industry a patented pressurized drop capability, which is another significant safety benefit of the Evergreen program. This allows the aircraft to drop at higher altitudes while keeping within the aircraft's design envelope.