The prospect for using a 747 as a supertanker to fight fires has been in a holding pattern.

The US Forest Service has put a hold on a contract that would allow 747's to fly as firefighting tankers. The planes could drop more than 19,000 gallons of water and retardant at a time on a fire zone, close to double what DC-10's can drop. A possible reason for the holdup on the contract is cost.