Boeing 747 High Altitude Water Drop [Video]

I don't know what they`re called or what type of plane they are, but Australian bushfire-fighting planes scoop water up as they fly low over a lake, air pressure sucks it in somehow. I`ve seen it in real life and its just magical the way the water seems to leap into them. So no, not all planes have to return to base to reload.

Helicopters, on the other hand, can refill by lowering a siphon hose or a bucket into a small lake near the fire. So while each load is smaller than the tanker`s, it can make several drops before it needs to refuel, and that can be done from a tanker truck parked near the fire. The down side to choppers is that they are MUCH more expensive to purchase and operate, and fewer pilots can fly them.