Firefighting

OCFA pilot files gender discrimination lawsuit

OCFA pilot files gender discrimination lawsuit

21-Jun-2021Source: Fire Aviation

The first female permanently-hired firefighting pilot employed by the state of California has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit after being fired by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). See Full Story.... Read more

15-Jun-21 N398M Bell UH-1 Townsend, US-Montana

15-Jun-21 N398M Bell UH-1 Townsend, US-Montana

15-Jun-2021

Firefighting helicopter made heavy landing under adverse wind conditions.  The aircraft spun right about 120 degrees on landing, and rolled to the left, caught fire and burned out.  Before catching fire, all 5 POB were safety evacuated from the aircraft. Helicopter was working the Deep Creek fire.... Read more

Helitak UH60 Black Hawk Fire Tank Receives FAA STC

Helitak UH60 Black Hawk Fire Tank Receives FAA STC

8-Jun-2021Source: Helitak

Continual Research and development leads to new evolution of airborne firefighting tank technology to aid in accurate and faster dispersal of water onto bushfires. In 2018, the Helitak FT4500 Fire Tank underwent rigorous flight-testing and trials in conjunction with High Performance Helicopters (HPH) in California. The tank received 8110-3 Major Alteration approval in early 2020... Read more

VIH and Kawak develop fire bucket for S61 and Ka32

VIH and Kawak develop fire bucket for S61 and Ka32

20-May-2021Source: VIH Helicopters

VIH Helicopters has successfully developed a technologically advanced power fill bucket for utilization with their fleet of Sikorsky S61 and Kamov KA-32A11BC helicopters on aerial wildfire suppression applications. Drawing on expertise from Kawak Aviation Technologies and from within VIH’s operations and engineering teams, VIH’s power fill bucket is capable of filling at a rate of... Read more

Rostec to present updated Ka-32A11M at MAKS airshow

Rostec to present updated Ka-32A11M at MAKS airshow

13-May-2021Source: Russian Helicopters

Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) will present a modernized Ka-32A11M fire-fighting helicopter at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon, held in Zhukovsky near Moscow in July. Ka-32 modernization program includes a glass cockpit with an avionics system, more powerful VK-2500PS-02 engines and a new fire extinguishing system. “Ka-32 is recognized all over... Read more

SAFE adds fire suppression equipment to product line

SAFE adds fire suppression equipment to product line

10-May-2021Source: S.A.F.E. Structure Designs

S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is pleased to offer a complete product line of ECO CAF Fire Suppression Equipment for Helicopter operations support and various other applications.  Fire Suppression equipment is a critical component of any maintenance facility.  ECO CAF equipment is available from S.A.F.E. in portable 3 gallon units all the way up to 60 gallon... Read more

Columbia and Aurora develop tech for degraded visual environments

Columbia and Aurora develop tech for degraded visual environments

6-May-2021Source: Columbia Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters (Columbia) and Aurora Flight Sciences (Aurora), a Boeing Company, this week entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore the design, integration, testing, and demonstration of an enhanced pilot situational awareness (EPSA) degraded visual environment (DVE) flight capability on a Columbia helicopter to be used for aerial wildland fire suppression. Since aerial... Read more

Chilean prosecutor accuses three operators of collusion

Chilean prosecutor accuses three operators of collusion

6-May-2021

The National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (FNE) filed a complaint before the Competition Tribunal (TDLC) against three helicopter companies in the forest firefighting market, as well as two executives who facilitated the coordination and execution of anti-competitive agreements. The corporations are Calquín Helicopters SpA (Calquín), Inaer Helicopter Chile S.A. (Inaer), and Pegasus South America Servicios Integrales... Read more

21-Apr-21 HL9285 Sikorsky S76C+ Munmun-myeon, Korea (1F)

21-Apr-21 HL9285 Sikorsky S76C+ Munmun-myeon, Korea (1F)

21-Apr-2021

Firefighting helicopter ditched in a lake.  Copilot was found unconscious in 10m of water, transferred to hospital in Cheongju, but died.  Pilot survived Pictured here two days later during the recovery task.  [segye image]... Read more

Babcock considers selling aerial emergency services businesses

Babcock considers selling aerial emergency services businesses

14-Apr-2021

In a detailed press release under the brief title of “Business Update”, Babcock International Group not only reaffirmed the sale of their offshore business, but also indicated that all aerial emergency services businesses are under review.  The company admitted that the Avincis acquisition in 2014 has not delivered shareholder value with low returns on high... Read more

Erickson renews Greek firefighting contract for 2021

Erickson renews Greek firefighting contract for 2021

7-Apr-2021Source: Erickson

Erickson Incorporated is very pleased to announce that our firefighting contracts in the Hellenic Republic of Greece have been renewed for the 2021 fire season. During Erickson’s 21+ years of support to the Hellenic Fire Service, we have an impressive list of major achievements that include saving lives; supporting the 2004 Olympics; saving the Ancient... Read more

Erickson wins three USFS 2021 fire contracts

Erickson wins three USFS 2021 fire contracts

5-Apr-2021Source: Erickson

Erickson Incorporated, a worldwide leading operator, maintainer, and manufacturer of utility aircraft, announces three new USFS Firefighting contracts for the upcoming 2021 wildfire season. The USFS cooperates with CAL FIRE, US Department of Interior agencies Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs, on aerial firefighting contracts. Erickson has been working... Read more

Columbia Helicopters Unveils Multi-Mission Helicopter Program

Columbia Helicopters Unveils Multi-Mission Helicopter Program

5-Apr-2021Source: Columbia Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters (Columbia) unveils its Multi-Mission Helicopter Program, featuring the proven Columbia Model 234 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, developed as a single platform solution to support customers’ multi-mission requirements. “With larger and more intense events taking place with increased frequency around the world, such as fires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, demand is on the... Read more

Colorado Governor signs off S70 Firehawk acquisition

Colorado Governor signs off S70 Firehawk acquisition

26-Mar-2021Source: Colorado

We are pleased to announce that Governor Polis signed SB21-113-Firefighting Aircraft Wildfire Mgmt And Response, which enables the purchase of a new fire hawk helicopter that can quickly respond to and put out fires before they rage out of control, funds the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps Fund by allocating $38.8 million dollars to a new... Read more

Coldstream Helicopters buys four AS332Ls for $2.75M

Coldstream Helicopters buys four AS332Ls for $2.75M

23-Mar-2021Source: HeliHub.com

The Mexican Air Force has been trying to sell a number of Government aircraft for some years, and recently held the next attempt with an auction that closed on 4th March. In the sale were 19 aircraft, including six fixed wing – two Boeings, two Learjet 31s and two light Cessna twins. The other 13... Read more

Aerial Fire Fighting Europe 2021 moves to new dates in October

Aerial Fire Fighting Europe 2021 moves to new dates in October

12-Mar-2021Source: Tangent Link

The challenging year of 2020 has identified that international cross border cooperation related to the prevention of and the response to wildfires is more important than ever. With landscape firefighting missions moving through Europe, there’s no surprise that the pan-European rescEU Commission has recently received a significant investment boost to expand its aerial firefighting capability.... Read more

USFS to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters this year

USFS to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters this year

9-Mar-2021Source: Fire Aviation

The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is expecting to contract for 48 Type 1 helicopters for the 2021 wildfire season. These helicopters are the largest that are used for fighting wildfires and can carry between 700 and 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. See Full Story.... Read more

Two Japanese prefectures sign helicopter cooperation agreement

Two Japanese prefectures sign helicopter cooperation agreement

5-Mar-2021Source: HeliHub.com

The prefectures of Ehime and Yamaguchi have this week signed a Mutual Support Agreement regarding their helicopter operations. Under the agreement, each prefecture will be able to request support from the other for their firefighting and disaster prevention requirements. Ehime Prefecture operates a Kawasaki built EC145, while Yamaguchi Prefecture has a Leonardo AW169. Under the... Read more

Colorado includes S70 Firehawk in budget request

Colorado includes S70 Firehawk in budget request

18-Feb-2021Source: The Gazette

With Colorado coming out of its second-worst drought year since 2002 and with scant expectations for a better 2021, the state’s public agency that deals with wildfires is hoping a California solution could help tamp down the biggest wildfires in years to come — the Firehawk helicopter. See Full Story. ... Read more

Kolkata Fire Dept considers helicopter

Kolkata Fire Dept considers helicopter

9-Feb-2021Source: Millennium Post

The state Fire and Emergency Services department is planning to introduce helicopters in its fleet to strengthen the fire fighting mechanism. See Full Story.... Read more

27-Jan-21 CC-ATY Bell 212 Olivar, Chile

27-Jan-21 CC-ATY Bell 212 Olivar, Chile

27-Jan-2021

Remained upright in very heavy landing.  Engine fire.  Skids collapsed, boom detached.  Pilot (only person on board) airlifted to Rancagua hospital Chilean Army photo from Twitter... Read more

CHC launches partnership for wildfire detection

CHC launches partnership for wildfire detection

26-Jan-2021Source: CHC

CHC has partnered with Avy and the North Holland North Safety Region (VRNHN) to jointly investigate how long-range drones can support the early detection of and the improved situational awareness during wildfires. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of CHC, Den Helder base manager, Quinten Hergaarden said, “We are delighted to be part of... Read more

Korea National 119 Rescue to receive S92

Korea National 119 Rescue to receive S92

4-Jan-2021Source: HeliHub.com

Just before the Chrstmas break, Sikorsky announced – but only on Twitter – that they will deliver a new S-92 to the Republic of Korea’s National 119 Rescue Headquarters.  This aircraft will support firefighting and search & rescue missions.  No time scale was given, but given that Sikorsky only seems to have delivered one new... Read more

Korean fire helicopters to transmit Real-time video and voice data

Korean fire helicopters to transmit Real-time video and voice data

7-Dec-2020Source: The Korea Bizwire

The National Fire Agency said Tuesday it will set up an integrated information system that will enable real-time transmission of video and voice data between firefighting helicopters and the situation room at each regional headquarters by February of next year. See Full Story.... Read more

DynCorp extends CalFire support contract

DynCorp extends CalFire support contract

2-Dec-2020Source: DynCorp International

DynCorp International (DI) has been awarded a new contract to continue supporting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) aviation program. The program works as an invaluable teammate to suppress and control wildfires. Work will be performed at McClellan Park in Sacramento, California and aircraft are deployed across 13 air tactical and... Read more

30-Nov-20 PR-HEB Bell 206L4 Porto Jofre, Brazil (1F)

30-Nov-20 PR-HEB Bell 206L4 Porto Jofre, Brazil (1F)

30-Nov-2020

Firefighting operation – single occupant pilot died when helicopter went down in a water course, while taking on water for the firefighting process.  Pilot named in government press release as Mauro Tadeu da Silva Oliveira... Read more

Tangent Link Announces Presentations for Aerial Firefighting Europe

Tangent Link Announces Presentations for Aerial Firefighting Europe

26-Nov-2020Source: Tangent Link

Aerial Firefighting Europe is scheduled to take place on 27 – 28 April 2021 in Nîmes, France with full support from Sécurité Civile. In light of the ongoing challenges surrounding COVID-19, the two-day conference agenda will take the format of showcase theatres and each will cover a specific theme. The program will discuss the challenges faced... Read more

US Forest Service to get new helicopter base for firefighting

US Forest Service to get new helicopter base for firefighting

19-Nov-2020Source: Daily Independent

The U.S. Forest Service has awarded a contract to a Scottsdale company to design and build a new helicopter base in northern Gila County to support firefighting activities. See Full Story. ... Read more

5 Days Remaining to Register for HAI Aerial Firefighting Conference

5 Days Remaining to Register for HAI Aerial Firefighting Conference

6-Nov-2020Source: HAI

There’s still time to sign up for the annual Aerial Firefighting Conference sponsored by Helicopter Association International (HAI). This year’s event is virtual—and free!—making it easy for aerial firefighters around the world to attend. The conference will take place Nov. 17–18, with sessions beginning at 4:00 pm eastern (UTC-5). Each day, HAI will present four... Read more

MDFR upgrades fleet with delivery of first AW139

MDFR upgrades fleet with delivery of first AW139

15-Oct-2020Source: Leonardo

Leonardo is pleased to announce that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) has taken delivery of its first AW139 helicopter.  The October 13 handoff included a small ceremony at Miami Executive Airport (TMB) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Officials from the County, including Mayor Carlos A. Giménez, spoke at the event. “As a former firefighter, I’ve been very impressed... Read more

HM-12 mine countermeasures squadron train for aerial firefighting

HM-12 mine countermeasures squadron train for aerial firefighting

13-Oct-2020Source: US Navy

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 successfully tested, trained, and qualified their squadron and aircrew from three separate squadrons on the use of the Bambi Bucket to support aerial firefighting missions, if tasked, on the East Coast, Oct. 8. The MH-53E is the only rotary aircraft in the U.S. Navy with the capability to airlift... Read more

Southern California Edison Funds ‘Critical Aerial Support’ for Daytime and Nighttime Firefighting

Southern California Edison Funds ‘Critical Aerial Support’ for Daytime and Nighttime Firefighting

13-Oct-2020Source: Edison

Captain Greg Barta of the Orange County Fire Authority has been on the front lines of firefighting for 13 years. He has one word to describe the 2020 fire season to date: “Explosive.” “None of us are used to fighting fires during a pandemic, which is putting a strain on our resources, but we’re rising... Read more

US Forest Service considers improvements to Aerial Firefighting Use and Effectiveness

US Forest Service considers improvements to Aerial Firefighting Use and Effectiveness

7-Oct-2020Source: Dauntless Air

The U.S. Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recently released the results of the Aerial Firefighting Use and Effectiveness (AFUE) Study. The nationwide, multi-year AFUE study was chartered by the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management Program to answer a pivotal question given the growing U.S. wildfire threat: “What are the... Read more

Wyoming Army National Guard activated to assist with California wildfires

Wyoming Army National Guard activated to assist with California wildfires

22-Sep-2020Source: US Dept of Defense

The Wyoming Army National Guard’s G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment was activated by Gov. Mark Gordon Sept. 10, to provide support for firefighting efforts in California. One UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and four crew members left Thursday and will be operating from Mather Airport near Sacramento. The helicopter and crew are expected to... Read more

Baden-Württemberg police take on new fire-fighting role

Baden-Württemberg police take on new fire-fighting role

21-Sep-2020Source: Baden-Württemberg

[electronic translation] The Baden-Württemberg police received new external extinguishing containers for fire fighting from the air. Police helicopters can thus help put out forest fires faster, more effectively and more safely. “The drought of recent years has increased the risk of forest fires in our forests. The fire brigades in the country are well equipped to... Read more

Euramec and GeoSim partner with unique Aerial Firefighting Simulation solution

Euramec and GeoSim partner with unique Aerial Firefighting Simulation solution

27-Aug-2020Source: Euramec

Euramec, the European flight simulation solution providers team up with Australia’s GeoSim to deliver Vulcan, a unique aerial firefighting simulation solution. “Development of the GeoSim Vulcan Firefighting Simulation solution was already well under way before these devastating wildfires in Australia in 2019,” Charles Du Plessis, MD GeoSim explained. “Our country is a on the frontline... Read more

European Rotors event to feature fire fighting training

European Rotors event to feature fire fighting training

24-Aug-2020Source: European Rotors

Forest fires are no longer private issue of southern Europe. Climate change and the increasing awareness of the general public about the economic and social value of nature have brought forest fires to headlines in all the continent. In 2019, forest fires caused the burning of an area of 174.924 hectares in Europe, and the... Read more

24-Aug-20 N314 Kaman K-Max Warmic, US-Oregon (1F)

24-Aug-20 N314 Kaman K-Max Warmic, US-Oregon (1F)

24-Aug-2020

Pilot killed in firefighting accident.  Pilot named here as Tom Duffy... Read more

24-Aug-20 N386HQ Bell 205A.1 Laverne, US-California

24-Aug-20 N386HQ Bell 205A.1 Laverne, US-California

24-Aug-2020

Tail rotor double delamination discovered during post flight inspection... Read more

19-Aug-20 N711GH Bell UH-1 Coalinga, US-California (1F)

19-Aug-20 N711GH Bell UH-1 Coalinga, US-California (1F)

19-Aug-2020

Crashed during firefighting operations.  Pilot received fatal injuries – named here as Michael Fournier... Read more

Wysong enterprises completes Eagle 407HP for Helicopter Express

Wysong enterprises completes Eagle 407HP for Helicopter Express

14-Aug-2020Source: Wysong Enterprises

Wysong Enterprises announced that the company completed the conversion of an Eagle Copter 407 HP from a VIP transport aircraft to a firefighting aircraft for Helicopter Express. “The Eagle 407 HP is a very versatile aircraft, “ said Wysong Enterprises Sales Manager Paul Schreuder. “Because of its versatility, it was easy to convert the aircraft... Read more

EHang Launches Intelligent Aerial Firefighting Solution

EHang Launches Intelligent Aerial Firefighting Solution

7-Aug-2020Source: EHang

EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH) (“EHang” or the “Company”), the world’s leading autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) technology platform company, today announced the launch of the world’s first large-payload intelligent aerial firefighting solution. Based on its flagship product, this new firefighting version of EHang 216, “EHang 216F” is specially designed for high-rise firefighting. This launch further... Read more

Volga-Dnepr delivers two Mi-8s for fire-fighting in Malaysia

Volga-Dnepr delivers two Mi-8s for fire-fighting in Malaysia

29-Jul-2020Source: Volga-Dnepr

To combat seasonal fires, Volga-Dnepr Airlines delivered two helicopters from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Kuala Lumpur for PT Komala Indonesia. Both vehicles will actively participate in the fight against seasonal fires in Malaysia. Two Mi-8 helicopters, the total weight of which amounted to more than 20 tons, were transported along with spare parts, tools and accessories... Read more

30-Jul-20 N160LA Sikorsky S70A Santa Clarita, US-California

30-Jul-20 N160LA Sikorsky S70A Santa Clarita, US-California

26-Jul-2020

Blade strike while training in mountainous area. Helicopter continued take-off and departed location with rotor blade noise clearly “non-standard” Analysis of the helicopter’s tracks have suggested the date was 26-Jul-20 but this is not confirmed.  Having been very active daily for two straight weeks, it was then not flying for four days.  The video was... Read more

Helinet enters firefighting market with UH-60 contract win

Helinet enters firefighting market with UH-60 contract win

11-Jun-2020Source: Helinet

Helinet Aviation Services, one of the most diverse and respected helicopter companies in the United States, announces the addition of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to California’s aerial firefighting fleet. The former U.S. Army helicopter is on standby at Van Nuys Airport to assist with firefighting missions under call-when-needed contracts with the U.S. Forest Service and... Read more

Kaman K-MAX® Continues as a Proven Firefighting Asset

Kaman K-MAX® Continues as a Proven Firefighting Asset

21-May-2020Source: Kaman

Kaman Air Vehicles, a division of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN), announced the United States Forest Service (USFS) awarded 40 percent of all Type 1, large helicopters exclusive use contracts, to K-MAX helicopter operators. These four-year contracts ensure immediate resources are available to the USFS when the need for firefighting arises. “We are very excited to... Read more

GHS prepared and equipped for upcoming firefighting season

GHS prepared and equipped for upcoming firefighting season

18-May-2020Source: GHS

GHS’s recent move to our new company headquarters in Kirchanschöring has led to us being able to prepare and fly our helicopters from the home base and offer an air ambulance service as well as aerial firefighting services in Germany and neighboring countries The start of summer will inevitably mean that wildfires will become increasingly... Read more

COVID-19 – US Aerial Firefighters prepare for elevated Risk during pandemic

COVID-19 – US Aerial Firefighters prepare for elevated Risk during pandemic

6-May-2020Source: AHSAFA

As the 2020 fire season approaches, aerial firefighters are instituting more protective measures for their flight crews and mechanics who may be at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus during a wildland fire operation. “We are in unchartered territory,” said Robin Rogers, Vice-President of Rogers Helicopters in Fresno, California, “although we are following all the... Read more

Coulson Aviation expand helicopter firefighting ops in Australia

Coulson Aviation expand helicopter firefighting ops in Australia

9-Apr-2020Source: Coulson Aviation

New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) has awarded the operation and maintenance of their recently acquired 412 fleet, as part of an existing 10-year contract with Coulson Aviation PTY. Coulson Aviation PTY has also moved its Australian headquarters from Melbourne to Bankstown, securing a 1,114 sq m hanger facility. The new Australian home-base... Read more

COVID-19 – Aerial Firefighters adjust to the pandemic

COVID-19 – Aerial Firefighters adjust to the pandemic

27-Mar-2020Source: American Helicopter Services And Aerial Firefighting Association

The US aerial firefighting industry remains mission-ready for this year’s wild land fire season, despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions on international travel, as the industry increasingly seeks global market opportunities. “Wildfires are going to happen, and we need to be ready to fight them,” said Dan Snyder, Chief Operating Officer of Neptune... Read more

DynCorp International Attends Aerial Firefighting Conference

DynCorp International Attends Aerial Firefighting Conference

16-Mar-2020Source: DynCorp

CAL FIRE representatives attended the North American Aerial Firefighting Conference in Sacramento, California as the platinum sponsor. “The conference focused on global challenges in the aerial firefighting industry,” said Jeff Cavarra, CAL FIRE program director. “It explored new technology and lessons learned in the aerial firefighting community.” DynCorp International’s booth promoted our world-class aircrews, maintenance... Read more

Court affirms limits on US Forest Service helicopter use in Idaho

Court affirms limits on US Forest Service helicopter use in Idaho

16-Mar-2020Source: US Forest Service

A federal appeals court affirmed key rulings imposed by an Idaho judge to prevent the U.S. Forest Service from again illegally authorizing the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to conduct helicopter-assisted wildlife-collaring operations in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.  Today’s ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit... Read more

Axnes PNG wireless intercom selected by Cal Fire

Axnes PNG wireless intercom selected by Cal Fire

3-Feb-2020Source: Axnes

Wireless intercom innovator and manufacturer Axnes has announced the recent delivery of a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire S-70i Firehawk® helicopter equipped with the latest generation PNG wireless intercom system. Integrated by Firehawk® completion specialist, United Rotorcraft, the S-70i airframes are configured with internal audio integration and two MP50 handsets that... Read more

Sikorsky Recognizes California Firehawk Aerial Firefighters

Sikorsky Recognizes California Firehawk Aerial Firefighters

28-Jan-2020Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT) today recognized and thanked the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue and the State of California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for their commitment to aerial fire-fighting operations with the S-70i™ Firehawk® helicopter. Each of the three fire services... Read more

Astronautics RoadRunner EFI Brings Enhanced Capability to Santa Barbara Firehawk

Astronautics RoadRunner EFI Brings Enhanced Capability to Santa Barbara Firehawk

27-Jan-2020Source: Astronautics

Astronautics Corporation of America is providing its AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIs) to Arista Aviation as cost-effective, easy-to-install replacements on a FIREHAWK helicopter to be operated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD). The RoadRunner EFIs—two per aircraft—are part of an upgraded avionics package and instrument panel on a UHH-60L Black Hawk helicopter... Read more

Bristow Supports Republic of Singapore Air Force, Australia Bushfire Relief Operations

Bristow Supports Republic of Singapore Air Force, Australia Bushfire Relief Operations

24-Jan-2020Source: Bristow

As the world pays attention to the major bushfires happening along the East Coast of Australia, Bristow Defence Industries (BDI) has quietly supported the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Oakey Detachment, based in Oakey, Queensland, in its preparation to deploy two RSAF’s CH47Ds from Oakey to Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale, located 220... Read more

Elbit Systems Successfully Demonstrates High-Altitude High-Precision Aerial Firefighting Solution

Elbit Systems Successfully Demonstrates High-Altitude High-Precision Aerial Firefighting Solution

22-Jan-2020Source: Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems completed a successful field demonstration of its patented Hydrop system, an innovative solution enabling high-altitude high-precision aerial firefighting. The field demonstration took place recently as part of an exercise led by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. During the exercise two Air Tractor aircraft from the Israeli Fire Fighting Squadron were directed to... Read more

Erickson is flying six firefighting S64s in Australia

Erickson is flying six firefighting S64s in Australia

8-Jan-2020Source: Erickson

Erickson Incorporated, a worldwide leading operator, maintainer, and manufacturer of utility aircraft, is continuing to fight the devastating Australian bushfires into the new year armed with Six Air Crane® helicopters. As of Thursday, January 2nd, New South Wales declared a 7-day state of emergency as Australia’s deadly bushfires rage. This is the third time in... Read more

Sikorsky And United Rotorcraft Deliver Three FIREHAWK® Helicopters To California Firefighting Agencies

Sikorsky And United Rotorcraft Deliver Three FIREHAWK® Helicopters To California Firefighting Agencies

16-Dec-2019Source: Sikorksy

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), and United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced  deliveries of three new S-70i™ FIREHAWK® helicopters to California fire agencies: one each to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), and the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.... Read more

MDFR Orders AW139

MDFR Orders AW139

4-Dec-2019Source: Leonardo

Leonardo announced that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) signed a contract for four AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters. The aircraft will be used to perform a range of missions—primarily fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR)—and will have special equipment including a cargo hook, rescue hoist and Bambi bucket. The first helicopter... Read more

Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations to add firefighting helicopter

Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations to add firefighting helicopter

14-Nov-2019Source: Armen Press

The Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations is expecting to receive 22 Japanese and 26 Russian fire engines, Minister Felix Tsolakyan told reporters. See Full Story.... Read more

HAI Names Recipient of Salute to Excellence Humanitarian Service Award

HAI Names Recipient of Salute to Excellence Humanitarian Service Award

13-Nov-2019Source: HAI

Helicopter Association International (HAI) is pleased to announce that the Los Angeles County (California) Fire Department Air Operations LACOFD Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk helicopter teams are the 2020 recipient of the Salute to Excellence Humanitarian Service Award. The award honors the person or persons who best demonstrate the value of helicopters to the communities in which... Read more

Alberta puts stop to firefighters rappelling from helicopters

Alberta puts stop to firefighters rappelling from helicopters

11-Nov-2019Source: Govt of Alberta

Minister Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Province of Alberta (Canada) made a statement about wildfires late last week, and surprised the firefighting community by cutting the teams that rappel into fire zones from helicopters.  Here is the full statement “The protection of lives and communities will always be our top priority when... Read more

Osaka Municipal Fire Department enhances operations with H155

Osaka Municipal Fire Department enhances operations with H155

28-Oct-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

Japan’s second largest fire department, the Osaka Municipal Fire Department (OMFD), has placed an order for one H155 helicopter for firefighting and rescue missions. Equipped with emergency medical service equipment, floodlighting and a helicopter video transmission system, this new addition will join the operator’s existing fleet in serving the entire Osaka prefecture, with a population... Read more

Aerial Firefighters Note Reduced Activity

Aerial Firefighters Note Reduced Activity

28-Oct-2019Source: Erickson

The US aerial firefighting industry has experienced one of its slowest fire seasons to date with significant reductions in flight-hours compared to recent years. Nonetheless, a number of operators have seen a ramp-up in activity due to a spike in fire events since September, with major fires in Southern California and Colorado. For example, three... Read more

Night-flying program to continue this season in Australia

Night-flying program to continue this season in Australia

7-Oct-2019Source: Fire Aviation

During the 2017-2018 bushfire season in Australia two helicopters were approved for dropping water at night with the use of night vision goggles (NVG) by the pilots. At least one of the ships, an S-61, was approved for hover refilling which was the first time this had been done anywhere. See Full Story.... Read more

Simplex Announces FAA STC for Internal Firefighting Tank for the Black Hawk

Simplex Announces FAA STC for Internal Firefighting Tank for the Black Hawk

2-Oct-2019Source: Simplex ® Aerospace

Simplex ® Aerospace has announced that they have received the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02657SE for an internal Fire Attack System (FAS) for the UH-60 A Blackhawk. The Model 370i FAS is certified for installation and operation on the Timberline Helicopters Inc. TC type. Simplex will be working quickly to add... Read more

Airbus Foundation supports Bolivian efforts to fight fires in Amazon

Airbus Foundation supports Bolivian efforts to fight fires in Amazon

16-Sep-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters

The Airbus Foundation, in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Centre is supporting Bolivia’s efforts against the severe fires currently affecting the country. An Airbus A330neo test aircraft transported 38 firefighters of the French Civil Security and equipment from Vatry, France, to Bolivia. They will participate in fighting... Read more

Daegu Fire Department to take delivery of new AW169

Daegu Fire Department to take delivery of new AW169

5-Sep-2019Source: Daegu Fire Department

Daegu Fire Department in South Korea is shortly to take delivery of a brand-new Leonardo AW169 to strengthen its aerial capacity. The aircraft, serial number 69101, the 101st to be built, is currently undergoing test-flying at Varese-Venegono in Italy with the test marks I-RAIM. It will be registered as HL9649 when it is delivered. Daegu,... Read more

Coulson Aviation win Amazon firefighting contract

Coulson Aviation win Amazon firefighting contract

2-Sep-2019Source: Coulson Aviation

Coulson Aviation USA, a member of the Coulson Group of Companies, and the Ministry of Defence, Bolivia, have secured a deal in which Coulson Aviation will be sending three Type 1 helicopters to help and support the firefighting efforts in the Amazon. “We are honored that the Bolivian Government had chosen to work with Coulson... Read more

Baker Aviation Offers ELT-Sized HOT-STOP Fire Containment Solution

Baker Aviation Offers ELT-Sized HOT-STOP Fire Containment Solution

6-Aug-2019Source: Baker Aviation

Baker Aviation, the master distributor for the HOT-STOP® ’L’ Fire Containment Kits, now offers an ELT-sized vessel for safe and convenient stowage of the lithium-ion battery powered device with other emergency life raft equipment. The new 14” x 10” sized fire containment solution is considered FIREPROOF, as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations 14... Read more

Ka-32 helicopters to be used in firefighting in Turkey

Ka-32 helicopters to be used in firefighting in Turkey

30-Jul-2019Source: Russian Helicopters

Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) has delivered three Ka-32A11BC multipurpose helicopters to Turkey. The machines will be used in firefighting. In July 2018 contracts were signed with KAAN Air (Turkey) for delivery of three Ka-32A11BC multipurpose helicopters. Currently all three are handed over to the customer. The rotorcraft were purchased primarily... Read more

Coulson Aviation enters Type 1 HeliTanker Program in USA

Coulson Aviation enters Type 1 HeliTanker Program in USA

30-Jul-2019Source: Coulson Aviation

Orange County Fire Authority in partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) have contracted Coulson Aviation USA to bring its state of the art NVG aerial fire fighting program to the USA. “Edison is making significant investments to assist firefighting capabilities across our service area to protect our customers and communities from the ongoing threat of... Read more

Italian National Fire Corps orders five more AW139s

Italian National Fire Corps orders five more AW139s

19-Jun-2019Source: Leonardo

Leonardo announced new signed contracts for five additional AW139s to the Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del Fuoco, part of Ministry of the Interior), including integrated logistic support and training for crews and technicians. The orders, valued at over €75 million, add to the previously purchased three units, with two already delivered this year. The... Read more

Bristol Royal Infirmary opens fire-fighting system on rooftop helipad

Bristol Royal Infirmary opens fire-fighting system on rooftop helipad

7-Jun-2019Source: HELP Appeal

Bristol Royal Infirmary has announced that a new Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS) is now fully operational on its rooftop helipad and has received a cheque worth £574,023.95 from the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads – to cover its entire cost. The HELP Appeal pledged... Read more

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