Erickson Air-Crane Announces New $100M Revolving Credit Facility
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 03-May-13
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers and the vertical manufacturer and operator of the powerful, heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, announced today that it had entered into a new $100 million, five-year revolving credit facility with [...]
Why Erickson Air-Crane Could Double In 2013
Source: Seeking Alpha, 29-Apr-13
Analyst report which suggests that the share price of Erickson Air-Crane could double this year (See Full Story)
Erickson Air-Crane announces price of 8.25% Notes due 2020
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 26-Apr-13
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Nasdaq: EAC) today announced the pricing of its $400.0 million aggregate principal amount offering of 8.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be Erickson’s second priority senior secured obligations and will be guaranteed by certain of Erickson’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Notes will be [...]
Colorado Proposes a State Owned and Operated Aerial Firefighting System
Source: AHSAFA, 23-Apr-13
The American Helicopter Services And Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) has questioned a proposal by the Colorado Senate to establish a state-owned and operated aerial firefighting fleet. The legislation, which would establish a Colorado Firefighting Air Corps, at a purported cost of $25 million, has been approved by the Senate’s Agricultural, Natural Resources and Energy Committee [...]
Erickson raising $400M to fund acquisitions
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 18-Apr-13
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Nasdaq: EAC) announced today that it intends to offer $400 million of its second priority senior secured notes due 2020 to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S. The notes will be Erickson’s second [...]
Ka-32 demonstrates its capabilities at French firefighting conference
Source: Russian Helicopters, 15-Apr-13
As part of the Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative (GHFI), Russian Helicopters (a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of the State Corporation Rostec) is a sponsor of the Aerial Firefighting Conference now underway in France (April 10-11). Fighting wildfires is a very critical issue in a number of European countries during the summer months. The Aerial Firefighting [...]
Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro orders AS350B2
Source: Helibras, 15-Apr-13
Helibras and the Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro signed during LAAD 2013 contract for the sale of a new AS350 B2 helicopter. This is the third squirrel to operate in the State Fireman. Pictured, from left to right: François Arnaud, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Helibras; Eduardo Marson Ferreira, President of Helibras, and Colonel Sergio [...]
Japanese STC for AW139 firefighting belly tank system
Source: Simplex Aerospace, 02-Apr-13
The new Simplex Fire Attack system has a 480 gallon (1,817 liter) water capacity, and is the lightest belly tank system per gallon of capacity on the market today. The system also has an approved maximum speed of 150 KIAS without the hover pump installed (140 KIAS with hover pump installed),making it the fastest helicopter [...]
Columbia Helicopters receives first three ex Swedish BV107s
Source: Columbia Helicopters, 02-Apr-13
Columbia Helicopters has taken delivery of the first three of ten heavy lift helicopters purchased from the Swedish Department of Defense. The total order includes six Boeing Vertol 107-II and four Kawasaki Vertol 107-II models. The price was not disclosed. According to Columbia Helicopter’s Public Relations Manager Dan Sweet , the three Boeing Vertol 107-II [...]
Aerial Firefighters Are Prepared For Busy Fire Season
Source: AHSAFA, 28-Mar-13
Private sector aerial firefighters report their aircraft are mission-ready for what could be another devastating fire season in the US, as dry conditions continue to persist over much of the country. In fact, according to a US Forest Service (USFS) spokesman, the 2013 fire season is projected to be similar to last year’s, when 9.3 [...]
Mitsubishi Electric Delivers World’s First Helicopter Satcom System
Source: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, 28-Mar-13
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (tokyo:6503) announced today that it has delivered the world’s first helicopter satellite communication system (HSA40) to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) through the Tokyo branch of the company’s distributor, Seiryo Electric Company. The HSA40 system will begin operating in early April after airborne station is installed in helicopter of the [...]
Erickson Air-Crane reports FY2012 and Q4 results
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 12-Mar-13
-Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson Air-Crane”, “Erickson”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful Erickson S-64 Aircrane heavy-lift helicopter, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. Full-Year 2012 highlights include: Revenue increased 18.4% to $180.8 million Flight hours [...]
Korea – AW139 Delivered To Incheon Fire Department
Source: AgustaWestland, 07-Mar-13
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the delivery of an AW139 to the Incheon Fire Fighting Department in the Republic of Korea. The helicopter will perform fire fighting, emergency medical service, air rescue and transport missions. Speaking after the contract award, AgustaWestland’s Head of Region, NE Asia, Andrew Symonds said “We are delighted [...]
Sacramento Metro Fire chooses Becker system for UH-1
Source: Becker Avionics, 06-Mar-13
The Sacramento Metro Fire Air Operations unit recently received a grant to upgrade its avionics and selected the Becker Avionics DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control system for one of its UH-1 multi-mission helicopters. The aircraft is currently undergoing an avionics upgrade at Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS) facility in Woodland, CA-near Sacramento. The popular Becker DVCS6100 [...]
ASU Announces STC for Bell 205A-1 for Aerial Firefighting
Source: ASU, 04-Mar-13
ASU announced today that they received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Bell 205A-1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new STC was completed for the San Diego Sherriff’s Department. This aircraft will be used for aerial firefighting, search and rescue, airborne law enforcement and hoist equipmen. “This is the seventh aircraft modification [...]
Donaldson Barrier Filters Assist Australian Aerial Firefighters
Source: Donaldson, 28-Feb-13
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) continues to provide critical engine protection for helicopter operators battling Australian wildfires this year. The company’s Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems are the choice of firefighting operators worldwide and heavily utilized in corporate, air medical, utility and maritime/offshore missions as well. Donaldson IBFs [...]
Russian Helicopters showcase locally-certified Ka-32 in Australia
Source: Russian Helicopters, 27-Feb-13
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom – the part of Russian Technologies (Rostec) State Corporation and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, will bring its Australian calling card – the medium multi-role Ka-32A11BC – to Avalon 2013, the international aviation exhibition taking place from 26 February to 3 March in Geelong. [...]
US Forest Service contracts exclusive night-flight firefighting helicopter
Source: US Forest Service, 27-Feb-13
The United States Forest Service announced Thursday it would contract a full-time night-flying firefighting helicopter beginning next year. The helicopter will be used for dropping water and flame-retardant on fires. The Forest Service plans to use the helicopter in the future to also include emergency medical transport and aerial management of controlled burns and wildfires [...]
Russian Helicopters launches Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative
Source: Russian Helicopters, 22-Feb-13
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has launched the Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative (GHFI) to increase the use of fire-fighting helicopters specially equipped with the suspended fire-fighting systems (Bambi Buckets), water cannons and other fire-fighting equipment. he GHFI will involve makers of fire-fighting systems [...]
Columbia Helicopters names new President
Source: Columbia Helicopters, 20-Feb-13
In a long-planned move, Columbia Helicopters announces that Stan Wilson would assume the office of President of the company. Mike Fahey remains Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Columbia Helicopters initiates the first of several actions to focus the leadership team on future growth opportunities. “Our company’s current global economic outlook has finally offered us the [...]
Helicopter Transport Services to move from Corvallis
Source: Register Guard, 15-Feb-13
“We ran out of space in the existing facility we have, and we needed a place where we could expand and where we could own the land,” HTS operations manager Mark Pilon said. (see full story)
07-Feb-13 VH-EWM Eurocopter AS350B2 Hobart, Australia
07-Feb-13
Firefighting helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Helicopter was contracted to Tasmania Fire Service
INAER Helicopter Chile reinforces firefighting fleet
Source: Avincis Group, 06-Feb-13
INAER Helicopter Chile, aware of the importance of conserving the environment, has once again this year reinforced its fleet of aircraft for the 2012-2013 firefighting campaign with helicopters from the now-completed summer campaign in Spain and Portugal, where they intervened in numerous forest fires. During his visit to the Trilahue Air Base, Ricardo Rivera, leader [...]
Former Carson employees indicted over fatal “Iron 44″ S61 crash
Source: Wildfire Today, 05-Feb-13
Two former employees of Carson Helicopters are facing 20+ years in prison for charges related to a 2008 S61 crash that killed seven firefighters and two crew members (see full story)
Erickson Air-Crane to present at the Cowen 34th Annual Aerospace and Defense Conference
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 31-Jan-13
Erickson Air-Crane, Inc. (NASDAQ:EAC), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, announced today that it will be presenting at the Cowen and Company 34th Annual Aerospace and Defense Conference in New York City. The presentation is to be held at 1:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. [...]
Aerial firefighters see continued challenges to fleet modernization
Source: AHSAFA, 29-Jan-13
Representatives of the US aerial firefighting industry predict ongoing challenges involving fleet modernization, as legacy aircraft continue to age, and the Federal government has yet to sign off on a viable transition plan for operational funding of proposed, new generation, large airtankers. “The private, aerial firefighting industry has submitted a viable plan to replace today’s [...]
Shanghai Public Security orders firefighting Ka32
13-Jan-13
HeliHub.com sources in China are reporting that the City of Shanghai has ordered a Kamov Ka32 for its fire department. Delivery is expected in June 2013. It is expected to be fitted with a Simplex fire attack system (either model 328 or 348), a horizontal water gun and VSU-9 bucket carrying up to 5 tonnes [...]
Bendigo-based helicopters trial new firefighting strategy
Source: Bendigo Advertiser, 08-Jan-13
Three firefighting weapons – including two water bombing aircrafts and another helicopter that acts as a scout – have set up home at the Bendigo Airport and are ready to respond to any fire threats in central Victoria. (see full story) File photo
LA Fire Dept close to completing Diamond Bar helipad upgrades
04-Jan-13
Helispot 120 in Diamond Bar is located just above Pantera Park, next to the water tanks off of Eastgate Drive, and has been undergoing a series of maintenance improvements (see full story)
Santa Barbara County refurbish UH-1 for fire and sheriff tasks
12-Dec-12
Commissioned into service Monday at Santa Ynez Airport, state-of-the-art Copter 3 is able to provide law enforcement functions as well as aerial firefighting, search and rescue, air ambulance service, and the transport of Special Enforcement Team (SET) members. (see full story) File photo
EHS Announce Patron for 2013 event
Source: European Helicopter Show, 11-Dec-12
European Helicopter Show is pleased to announce the patronage of Mr Přemysl Sobotka, Vice-President of the Senate of Parliament, Czech Republic. The political career of Mr Přemysl Sobotka started in the Velvet Revolution in 1989, where he was a member of the “for-all” Civic Forum and joined the right-wing Civic Democratic Party after its foundation [...]
HAI Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee Meeting
Source: HAI, 29-Nov-12
The HAI Aerial Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee held its Fall Meeting and Fire Safety Forum from Nov. 26-28 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho. The sessions were well attended, with some 75 HAI members interested in the work of the committee, particularly regarding helicopter operations under contract to the federal government for wildland firefighting support. [...]
Helicopter sprays sewage on firefighters
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 28-Nov-12
A water-bombing helicopter has mistakenly sprayed partially treated sewage onto firefighters battling a blaze on the NSW mid-north coast. (see full story) File photo
Beijing Public Security takes delivery of AW139 for fire fighting
Source: AgustaWestland, 20-Nov-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Fire Fighting Department of Beijing’s Public Security Bureau has taken delivery of an AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter. This aircraft will perform fire fighting and disaster relief mission in and around Beijing as well as law enforcement missions in cooperation with the Beijing Police. This [...]
Australia opens firefighting tender for 2013 onwards
Source: NAFC, 13-Nov-12
NAFC’s Invitation to Tender for the provision of Aerial Firefighting Services for 2013 onwards has now been published. NAFC is inviting tenders for more than 70 specialised aircraft services to be utilised across Australia over the next three to five years. For the first time NAFC will conduct this public tender process entirely via a web-based, electronic tendering system. [...]
Helicopter pilot commended for fire bucket rescue incident
Source: OPB, 13-Nov-12
An Oregon helicopter pilot who rescued a firefighter from the Pole Creek Fire this summer says he feared for his job after the incident. But a new Forest Service review commends both men for their quick thinking and decisive actions. (see full story) File photo
Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012Q3 results
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 08-Nov-12
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased by 29% versus the third quarter of 2011, rising to $76.3 million. This increase was [...]
06-Nov-12 Port Macquarie, Australia
06-Nov-12
A water-bombing helicopter has mistakenly sprayed partially treated sewage onto firefighters battling a blaze on the NSW mid-north coast.
Erickson Air-Crane announces date for 2012Q3 results
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 29-Oct-12
Erickson Air-Crane, Inc, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that it will release its earnings results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 after the market close. Udo Rieder, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chuck [...]
Aero Dynamix delivers first aircraft to LAFD
Source: Aero Dynamix, 18-Oct-12
Aero Dynamix added the AgustaWestland AW139 to its STC portfolio of NVG cockpits. With this addition, the Aero Dynamix portfolio now includes 26 multi-ship STCs on 36 different aircraft model types. Aero Dynamix first STC AW139 was delivered to the Los Angeles Fire Department and is the first of three LAFD AW139s to receive the [...]
European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced
Source: European Helicopter Show, 12-Oct-12
The dates are now confirmed for European Helicopter Show 2013. The event will take place at Hradec Králové in Czech Republic during 9th – 11th of May 2013. This new helicopter event in Czech Republic, 9th -11th May 2013, is already attracting a positive reaction within the helicopter industry, with major manufacturers including Bell Europe [...]
Santa Barbara County Supervisor defends aviation unit
Source: KEYT, 12-Oct-12
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf is standing by the newly combined Aviation Unit despite some critics who say crews from the fire and sheriff’s department’s are not working well together. (see full story)
Erickson Air-Crane names new General Manager
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Oct-12
Erickson Air-Crane has this week named long-time employee Kerry Jarandson as the new General Manager of its operations at Central Point, Oregon. Jarandson has been a senior director of plant operations and takes on his new role following the resignation of David Ford, vP of maintenance, repair and overhaul for the past two years. Jarandson [...]
Register now for HAI Firefighting Safety Forum & Interagency Briefing
Source: HAI, 11-Oct-12
The annual fall HAI Aerial Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee will meet November 26-28 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho. HAI President Matt Zuccaro will host the annual Firefighting Safety Forum on November 27 with participation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The U.S. Forest Service, Department of [...]
Texas – Travis County to acquire UH-1H for fighting fires
Source: My Fox Austin, 10-Oct-12
Travis County Commissioners approved a $2.4 million fire-fighting helicopter as part of its 2013 budget on Tuesday. Travis County Emergency Services has long requested the funds for an aircraft dedicated to fight fires. (see full story) File photo
Erickson Air-Crane buys Sun Bird aircraft from San Diego Gas & Electric
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 07-Oct-12
Erickson Air-Crane, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its purchase of the Sun Bird Aircraft (“Sun Bird”) and associated spare parts inventory and accessories from San Diego Gas & Electric Company (“SDG&E”). The Sun Bird is an Erickson model S-64F Aircrane that was originally [...]
07-Oct-12 N1577 Bell UH-1H Medford, US-Oregon
07-Oct-12
Emergency landing by fire-fighting helicopter. Pilot Cody Seeger (only person on board) not injured. The helicopter landed on its side in a forested hillside – trees surrounding the crash site may have softened the impact
Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services
Source: Draganflyer, 30-Sep-12
The Draganflyer ES (Emergency Services) unmanned aircraft line provides two models, a six rotor Draganflyer X6-ES helicopter and a new larger version with four rotors, the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter. The X6-ES and X4-ES are models exclusively sold to Public Safety Agencies. Used to obtain video from an aerial vantage point, these unmanned aircraft feature a digital wireless video [...]
Travis County to purchase firefighting UH-1H
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Sep-12
Travis County in Texas has announced it will buy a military-surplus Bell UH-1H primarily for fighting wildfires. The helicopter will undergo a full refurbishment and fit-out as soon as the purchase order is signed. It would be expected to become operational in 3-6 months thereafter. The County already operates three EC145s for air ambulance and [...]
Simplex STC allows fire helicopter to transport passengers
Source: Simplex Aerospace, 19-Sep-12
Simplex Aerospace has received FAA STC for a hover refill pump storage latching system, called the Aft Hook™. The Aft Hook™ allows firefighting helicopter operators to store the 5″ hover pump during flight and deploy the pump upon arrival at a water fill source. When installed on a Simplex Fire Attack system equipped helicopter, the [...]
SDG&E Renews Air-Crane Support For Regional Firefighters
Source: SDG&E, 06-Sep-12
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced it has renewed agreements with the County and City of San Diego and firefighting agencies to continue to make a heavy-lift air-crane available to support fire suppression efforts this fire season. An Erickson Air-Crane helitanker, the “Sun Bird,” was used by SDG&E during construction of the Sunrise [...]
03-Sep-12 CS-HMO Kamov Ka32A Ourém, Portugal
03-Sep-12
Piloted by Commander Paulo Loureiro and the co-pilot Diogo Cabral – and involved in firefighting when it crashed.
Introducing the new Night Vision Advisory Council
Source: NVAC, 28-Aug-12
On Wednesday August 8th, 2012, in response to an open invitation to industry, a group of Night Vision Goggle (NVG) industry professionals convened in Dallas, Texas. Hosted by FlightSafety International, the purpose of the meeting was to develop a council of NVG subject matter experts to provide recommendations on safety, education, standardization, and other issues [...]
US Forest Service to resume night firefighting in SoCal in 2013
Source: US Forest Service, 17-Aug-12
Beginning next year the U.S. Forest Service will contract a helicopter capable of fighting wildfire at night in a move to strengthen the agency’s capability to suppress fires and better protect firefighters and communities in Southern California. “We have made this important decision very carefully,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We have studied night [...]
Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012 Q2 results
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 13-Aug-12
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. Second Quarter 2012 Highlights and Recent Events Revenue of $37.9 million exceeded guidance of $32 million [...]
11-Aug-12 EC-KTU Eurocopter AS350B3 Guils de Certanya, Spain
11-Aug-12
While firefighting, refilling hose struck trees and then swung up into main rotors and the tail boom. Extensively damaged.
09-Aug-12 RA-31596 Kamov Ka32 Koycegiz, Turkey (5F)
09-Aug-12
Firefighting helicopter impacted terrain, killing 5 including three Russian citizens named as Alexander Gavrilov, Nikolai Atepalikhin and Sergey Khorokhorin
Unmanned drone identifies precise positioning of fire ignition source
Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences, 07-Aug-12
Recently, a fire drill was performed by researchers at Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIA), simulating fire scenes in high-rise buildings and around the city. During the exercise, the rotorcraft flying robot system for fire scene monitoring and emergency treatment developed by SIA realized precise positioning of ignition source and fire scene [...]
Erickson Air-Crane announces Q2 conference call
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 02-Aug-12
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced it will conduct a conference call at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, to discuss its financial results for the second quarter and first half fiscal year 2012 [...]
Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225
Source: Eurocopter, 17-Jul-12
The Tokyo Fire Department has signed on another EC225 this month, adding to its Eurocopter fleet of fire-fighting, emergency medical services as well as search & rescue helicopters. This affirms Eurocopter’s leading position in Japan as the preferred choice for such missions, and proves its capability in meeting high expectations. Following the purchase of an [...]
Two more firefighting AW139s for Japan
Source: AgustaWestland, 10-Jul-12
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are pleased to announce that two additional AW139 intermediate twin helicopters have been ordered in Japan to perform fire fighting missions. Contracts have been signed by the Fire Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) and Yokohama City respectively. These latest orders bring to five the number of fire fighting-configured [...]
Two firefighting helicopters crash in Spain
Source: HeliHub.com, 03-Jul-12
A Bell 412 and a PZL Sokol crashed yesterday in Spain in separate incidents. Both were firefighting. The sole-occupant pilot in the Bell 412 was sadly killed, while both crew in the Sokol survived with injuries. Both helicopters were operated by INAER. We will track updates in the two incidents in our accident pages. HeliHub.com [...]
03-Jul-12 N499DF Bell UH-1H Willits, US-California
03-Jul-12
Cal Fire helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing. No injuries, minor damage
02-Jul-12 EC-KSJ Bell 412 Yátova, Spain (1F)
02-Jul-12
First of two accidents fighting the same fire in Spain. Pilot killed.
02-Jul-12 EC-JUN PZL Sokol Sierra Martes, Spain
02-Jul-12
Crashed 30 minutes after the Bell 412 firefighting accident. One report states loss of tail rotor on approach to site at altitude of 20m. Both occupants (aged 55 and 36) injured
01-Jul-12 I-LASB Eurocopter AS350B3 Granmichele, Italy
01-Jul-12
Force landing due to a technical issue on positioning flight back to base after firefighting
AHSAFA praises Congress for funding aerial firefighting fleet modernization
Source: AHSAFA, 28-Jun-12
The American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) congratulate Congress for its passage of legislation authorizing the US Forest Service (USFS) to make multi-year, operational funding available to private operators for fleet modernization of large air tankers engaged in wildland fire suppression. The Bill, S 3261, “Contract Awards For Large Air Tankers,” was signed [...]
Olaeris unveils VTOL UAS for Fire, Police and Rescue Agencies
Source: Olaeris, 26-Jun-12
Olaeris, Inc. today unveiled a new VTOL Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) named AEVA™ that has been specifically developed for domestic emergency responders including fire, police and rescue workers. It is designed to be a first response aerial vehicle that arrives at 911 emergencies before ground personnel to enhance safety and multiply manpower. Unlike drones, AEVA™ uses robotic intelligence to [...]
US Forest Service adds four heavy helicopters to support wildfire suppression
Source: US Forest Service, 25-Jun-12
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced the agency is adding four heavy helicopters to the aviation firefighting fleet. “The addition of these helicopters to our aviation fleet will increase our ability to respond quickly and aggressively to fight wildfires and protect lives and property,” said Tidwell. “We will continue to mobilize our firefighting [...]
Austin Police request funds for a Eurocopter AS350B3
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Jun-12
Austin Police Department have put a funds request in to the City Council for $3,745,000 to buy a new Eurocopter AS350B3 – and the request will be heard at their scheduled meeting on 28th June at Austin City Hall. The paperwork submitted indicates that this is ostensibly to replace their 1969-vintage Bell OH-58A. There is [...]
Erickson Air-Crane wins US Forest Service contract
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 20-Jun-12
Erickson Air-Crane, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that it has been awarded a new exclusive use firefighting services contract with the US Forest Service (“USFS”). Under the terms of the contract, Erickson Air-Crane will provide aerial firefighting services using one heavy-lift Aircrane helicopter [...]
15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy
15-Jun-12
Crashed on firefighting ops while filling up the water bucket
15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy
15-Jun-12
Overturned while loading water from a stream during firefighting operations. Aircraft destroyed
New York Army National Guard tests ‘firehawk’ helicopter
Source: US Army, 05-Jun-12
A New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter will be testing the National Guard’s Firehawk helicopter firefighting system on the Mohawk River between the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge (Twin Bridges) on I-87 and the Route 9 Crescent Bridge tomorrow morning (Tuesday, June 5) in Crescent, Saratoga County. The Firehawk system consists of a 1,000-gallon [...]
Erickson Air-Crane wins $44M Greek firefighting contract
Source: Erickson Air-Crane, 30-May-12
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (“NAMSA”), which provides various logistics services for NATO nations, has, as the prime contracting party, awarded the Company a three year contract to supply aerial firefighting services in [...]
