How in the world does it make sense to have these aircraft on contract when their water carrying ability is almost the same as an AS350 B3 and cost over $20,000 a day and $6,000 a flight hour?

The problem is you're trying to use logic and forest service at the same time. Aircraft contracting is playing a game of how many times can we lower rock bottom

Cheaper for us than paying Student Loans for votes.

Not the machine for the job. Airbus made some promises, struck a deal, leased the machines and next thing you know they are fire machines. No thank you.