11-Mar-2024Source: Coulson Aviation
Coulson Aviation is pleased to announce its partnership with Kawak Aviation to launch a modern, upgraded, and more cost-effective Firefighting Black Hawk aircraft platform. The world’s largest aerial firefighting company that designs, manufactures, installs, and operates aircraft, Coulson is leading the innovative charge for the proven UH-60-based firefighting aircraft to help ensure a safe solution... Read more
5-Mar-2024Source: HeliHub.com
Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said he would appeal a funding request rejection for two Kamov Ka32 helicopters for the ministry’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Mr Anutin, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said the DDPM needs two more Ka32s and the first purchase should come from the 2024 fiscal... Read more
5-Mar-2024Source: Helitak
Helitak Firefighting Equipment, an Australian-based aerial firefighting tank manufacturer, announced on February 22, 2024, that the company was expanding its operations in the United States. The company has recently secured the lease of a 20,000-foot property at Camarillo Airport in California, where it will grow its operations in the United States. The new 20,000-foot facility... Read more
29-Feb-2024Source: Leonardo
Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the authorised distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, announced with Leonardo orders recently signed for a total of three AW139s, to meet the requirements of various upcoming opportunities in the country. These latest orders confirm the continuous success of the AW139 in Japan with over... Read more
27-Feb-2024Source: Columbia Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters, a global leader in heavy-lift helicopter solutions, announces a new development program to redefine Chinook commercial operations worldwide. As the OEM of the Commercial Chinook, the Model 234, Columbia plans to create a new model of super heavy-lift aircraft through converting existing CH-47D Chinook aircraft. This development program, named the 234 Special Purpose... Read more
27-Feb-2024Source: Rain
Rain, a leader in aerial wildfire containment technology, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company specializing in advanced rotorcraft, completed flight tests in late 2023 demonstrating how an autonomous helicopter carrying water can be quickly launched to suppress a wildland fire in its very early stage. Rain and Sikorsky collaborated to perform the integrated flight demonstrations at... Read more
27-Feb-2024Source: Recoil Aerospace
Recoil Aerospace is on the brink of a major milestone as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) nears final approval for the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) of its groundbreaking T1000-E Wildfire Suppression System. Following months of rigorous testing and evaluation, Recoil Aerospace anticipates STC approval for the T1000-E system, signaling a significant advancement in aerial firefighting technology. “We... Read more
13-Dec-2023Source: Technisonic
Technisonic Industries is proud to continue its support of the Aerial Firefighting Market with its introduction of Forestry Mode available on both the TDFM-9000 and TDFM-9300’s. Forestry Mode addresses the space and installation challenges in the cockpit and antennas associated with updated United States Forestry Service (USFS) communications requirements. Developed to meet the USFS... Read more
5-Dec-2023Source: Helitak
Helitak Firefighting Equipment announced on November 29th, 2023, at the European Rotors show in Madrid, Spain, that the company has appointed Adrien Dillard to oversee sales of Helitak aerial firefighting tanks in the European market. Adrien comes to Helitak with an extensive aviation background spanning over fifteen years of customer service experience in major markets,... Read more
27-Nov-2023
As destinations renowned for their high temperatures and diverse topography ranging from mountainous terrain and dense forests to arid landscapes, both Spain and Portugal are subject to the devastating impact of wildfires. Helicopter firefighting services are a formidable aerial defence against these blazing infernos. Air bp supplies fuel to various helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)... Read more
24-Nov-2023Source: Bell
For decades, Bell has held an active presence in the European market by acting as a vital partner in providing innovative and high-performing aircraft for customers across the region. With hundreds of commercial aircraft groups, public safety, military, and HEMS customers, Bell continues to make its mark across the region. At this year’s largest rotorcraft-only... Read more
22-Nov-2023Source: HeliHub.com
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez unveiled two new helicopters during a news conference on Monday, November 20 at the Sheriff’s ASTREA (Aerial Support to Law Enforcement Agencies) base at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. ASTREA is the Sheriff’s aviation unit which has been providing aerial support to the Sheriff’s Department and partner agencies... Read more
17-Oct-2023Source: Air Methods
United Rotorcraft, a global leader in critical mission systems for nearly 30 years, and DART Aerospace, a Canadian aerospace company specialized in designing, manufacturing, and supporting helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft components and systems for nearly 43 years, announced today their partnership agreement to develop an aerial firefighting system for the Airbus Super Puma family of... Read more
17-Oct-2023Source: Recoil Aerospace
Recoil Aerospace, a leading technology company specializing in advanced aerial firefighting solutions, is excited to announce its latest contract win, marking the company’s expansion into the Asia Pacific region. Recoil will provide two Tsunami T1000-E Aerial Fire Suppression System tanks for the Korea 119 Emergency Services H225 Super Pumas, which are set to enhance firefighting... Read more
10-Oct-2023Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced that Madison Fire Department has selected Air Methods Ascend’s online Critical Care Review program to provide additional training for their paramedics. With stations in the City of Rexburg, Townsite of Archer, and Sugar City, Madison Fire responds to an ever-increasing number of fire and ambulance... Read more
30-Aug-2023Source: v2track
v2track has partnered with Sydney-based engineering firm Airborne Mission System (AMS) to resell and support their AFDAU-T1 unit. The AFDAU-T1 has transformed the way aerial firefighters collect and report operational data and it offers unique benefits for rotary and fixed-wing operators. The AFDAU-T1 meets the requirements of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre of Australia (NAFC)... Read more
15-Aug-2023Source: Blue Hawaiian Shifts
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the sole helicopter tour company serving all four major Hawaiian Islands since 1985, has shifted its operations from tourism to supporting disaster relief efforts in the areas devastated by the wildfires in Lahaina. With tourism operations temporarily paused out of Kahului Airport, Blue Hawaiian has partnered with Blue Hawaiian Activates hotel partners,... Read more
4-Aug-2023Source: New South Wales Government
Rural Fire Service (RFS) aerial firefighting capabilities received a significant boost today with the arrival of a $9 million high-capacity waterbombing helicopter at Richmond. The new helicopter will allow for aerial firefighting at night and expand on existing air capabilities. Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib was joined by Commonwealth Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman... Read more
29-Jun-2023Source: DART Aerospace
DART Aerospace is proud to announce that it has received an FAA STC amendment, for the H145 Fire Attack™ System (FAS). This amendment now includes installation on D-2 and D-3 helicopter models as well as the previously approved C-2 model. The DART Aerospace H145 Fire Attack™ System, specifications are: – Capacity: 260 GAL (985 L)... Read more
29-Jun-2023Source: Bell
In the last few years, damaging wildfires have swept through the Greater Los Angeles area at an alarming rate. When these wildfires erupt, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is among the first to respond. On average, the LAFD responds to approximately 1,478 emergency incidents every day. As these fires spread across America’s second largest... Read more
24-May-2023Source: Air Methods
Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced that Martin County Fire Rescue has selected the Air Methods Ascend critical care clinician online education program for the first responders on their flight team. Located in the southeastern part of the state, Martin County Fire Rescue provides emergency management and medical response, fire suppression... Read more
2-May-2023
The lawyer for the families of the individuals who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Korea last November has reported that they have filed a complaint against local government officials for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The accident occurred on November 27, 2022, when a Sikorsky S-58 firefighting helicopter crashed on a... Read more
18-Apr-2023Source: Douglas County
Your home is your sanctuary and likely one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make. That’s why Douglas County continues to make historic investments in the firefighting tools needed to protect your life and property from wildfires. At the April 11 Business Meeting, The Board of Douglas County Commissioners committed more than $1.5 million... Read more
11-Apr-2023Source: Rain Industries
Rain Industries, a leader in automated rapid initial wildfire suppression, has added the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to its list of supported aircraft, demonstrating the ability to remotely command the aircraft via satellite link from a central command center. This milestone event showcases early steps towards a network of automated aircraft capable of rapidly responding... Read more
5-Apr-2023Source: Morongo Nation
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians gathered on March 31 with elected leaders and regional public safety officials to christen a new tribal ground ambulance and medical helicopter that will provide life-saving critical care and medical transport services on the Morongo Reservation, in communities across the San Gorgonio Pass and beyond. The innovative partnership between... Read more
8-Mar-2023Source: Phenix Solutions
Phenix Solutions is pleased to announce the selection of critical mission equipment suppliers, SEI Industries, to partner in developing forestry protection and firefighting mission equipment for Phenix Ultra 2XL aircraft. The team will incorporate several proven SEI products into the Ultra 2XL Remotely Piloted UAS platform, including the industry-leading Bambi Bucket and the Sling Dragon... Read more
1-Mar-2023Source: HeliHub.com
Babcock International Group today announced the conclusion of its portfolio alignment programme with the completion of the sale of certain of its aerial emergency services businesses to Ancala Partners. These businesses were sold for a cash consideration of €136.2 million (c. £120 million), before completion adjustments and transaction costs. In turn, Ancala have rejuvenated the... Read more
22-Feb-2023Source: UAFA
In an effort to respond to the ever-growing wildfire challenge, leading aerial firefighting companies have joined together to form a powerful industry association that will serve to foster safety and standardization in the aerial firefighting community. The United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) was founded at the end of 2022 as a non-profit association with the... Read more
13-Feb-2023Source: Chilean Army
[electronic translation] Bell-412 helicopters and their air crews are operating from the Maquehue Air Base in Temuco and from the Temporary Air Garrison (GAT) based at the Carriel Sur Airport in Talcahuano, who continue to support the fight against the forest fires that affect the south of the country. Thus, on February 8, an aircraft... Read more
2-Jan-2023Source: HeliHub.com
Just before the Christmas break, a signing ceremony took place between the Georgia Border Police (part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in that former Soviet-bloc country) and Airbus Helicopters. Border Police head Nikoloz Sharadze, and Romain Lana – the Regional Sales Manager Eastern Europe and Central Asia for Airbus Helicopters – presided at the... Read more
14-Dec-2022Source: Rotor
Rotor’s team of MIT scientists is combining flight control algorithms, computer vision, and satellite communications to create CloudPilot, an operating system that will make aircraft operations safer and easier. Using CloudPilot, a pilot can “teleoperate” a helicopter from anywhere in the world. The system uses commercial Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations such as SpaceX’s StarLink... Read more
12-Dec-2022Source: Columbia Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters announced today that Executive Vice President Michael Tremlett has been named President/CEO effective January 1, 2023, to replace current President/CEO Steve Bandy who is retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Bandy will remain on the Columbia Board of Directors as Vice Chairman to continue to support the Columbia team. Columbia is... Read more
25-Nov-2022Source: NSW Ports
A CH-47D Chinook helicopter that will join the state’s firefighting arsenal for the upcoming bushfire season arrived at Port Botany’s Patrick Terminals this week. The Coulson Aviation chopper arrived at NSW’s premier port on board the Synergy Busan from the US yesterday morning. Engineers constructed the water-bombing aircraft on the terminal before it launched from... Read more
22-Nov-2022Source: KAI Korea Aerospace Industries
[electronic translation] ‣ Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Public Procurement Service on the 18th to supply two forest helicopters. Two units will be delivered in the second half of 2024. ‣ The total contract amount was KRW 49.8 billion, which included repair parts, ground support equipment, technical manuals, technical and maintenance... Read more
17-Nov-2022Source: HAI
Day 1 of the annual event incorporating aerial firefighting, utilities, patrol, and construction work includes presentations on HEC, NVG, digital distraction in the cockpit, and more. Close to 400 industry professionals attended Day 1 of HAI’s two-day Aerial Work Safety Conference at the Boise Centre West in Boise, Idaho, yesterday. The conference, formerly the HAI Aerial Firefighting... Read more
17-Nov-2022Source: NSW Rural Fire Service
Communities on the Mid North Coast are better protected thanks to a new multi-purpose Rural Fire Service (RFS) helicopter unveiled at Coffs Harbour. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the $6 million asset is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment including Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, live video capabilities and winching equipment. “This is... Read more
14-Nov-2022Source: Bell
Every July, wildfires sweep through Montenegro’s forestland, destroying endangered terrain and threatening people’s lives. When more than half of Montenegro’s ecosystem consists of vast woodland and mountains, the need for a reliable aircraft to help combat severe wildfires is imperative. For the Montenegro Air Force, that’s the Bell 412 EPi. As the only active in-country operator... Read more
7-Nov-2022Source: Junta de Castilla y León
[electronic translation] The Governing Council today approved the contracting of works for the construction of a helicopter base for fighting forest fires called El Oterico, located in the smaller local entity of Oterico, in the municipality of Riello (León), with a budget of 1,585,511 euros. It is an action financed by the European Union through the... Read more
4-Nov-2022Source: KFI AM 640
The Orange County Fire Authority Thursday announced it had approved the acquisition of two new firefighting helicopters. The new Sikorsky S70 Firehawk helicopters were approved by the authority’s board a week ago. The new helicopters replace the authority’s 1966 UH-1H “Super Hueys” that had become too expensive to maintenance. See Full Story.... Read more
28-Oct-2022Source: Ecocopter
Seventy percent of Chilean territory, home to more than 7.5 million people, is susceptible to forest fires. For this reason, the government, in order to prevent this type of disaster, has allocated a budget of Ch$83,000 million, which will allow 62 aircraft and some 3,000 brigade members in 283 brigades, distributed between the regions of... Read more
25-Oct-2022Source: Sonoma County Gazette
Firefighters want to remind everybody of the cooler weather that will be brought by the coming winter season, and this is a great time to check your chimneys for debris before use, to prevent chimney fires. We have already started to see some rain this season, and we want to remind everybody to drive slower... Read more
25-Oct-2022Source: HAI
In recognition of the many operations entailed in aerial work, HAI has renamed its Aerial Firefighting Safety Conference the HAI Aerial Work Safety Conference, which will be held Nov. 16–17, 2022, in Boise, Idaho. The event’s focus changes as well. All the firefighting sessions remain, but this year, the program will expand to include... Read more
14-Oct-2022Source: Korea Aerospace Industries
[electronic translation] Government agencies repurchase domestic helicopters that have been verified for perfect mission performance. ‣ Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Public Procurement Service to supply two police helicopters on the 5th and one firefighting helicopter in Gyeongbuk on the 12th. Three units will be delivered in the second half... Read more
7-Sep-2022Source: SAFE Structure Designs
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs and L.A. County Fire Department team up to develop a custom ergonomic set of maintenance stands for the B412. The SAFETY FIRST ergonomic stands allow technicians SAFE access to perform maintenance on the engines, transmission, and main rotor systems of their H412 aircraft. These stands are lightweight and easy to... Read more
7-Sep-2022Source: IBAMA
IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) conducts a large and comprehensive annual Forest Firefighting Training program held in Brazil’s capital city of Brasilia at the National Park and includes both theory and practical elements. This year’s training program introduced SEI’s SLING DRAGON, an important device for the integrated management of controlled... Read more
20-Jul-2022
Aside from their offshore operations, Babcock are also selling their onshore interests. Employees were told yesterday that Ancala Partners, a mid-market infrastructure investor was buying Babcock operations in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The deal is priced at €136.2 million Excluded are operations in UK, France, Canada and Australia, where Babcock also operates defence... Read more
17-Jun-2022Source: TracPlus
The AFDAU-T1, Australia’s standout additional telemetry unit (ATU) for aerial firefighting, has achieved compliance for the new US Forest Service requirements for event data this week. The update enables all Aerial Firefighting Data Acquisition Unit (AFDAU) units already installed in aircraft to meet compliance specifications. AFDAU-T1 lead engineer, Zane Vohland, says that with the increase... Read more
1-Jun-2022Source: Hawaii News Now
Maui Fire Department officials say a new asset will help them cover more ground and save more lives. “A lot more cargo, a lot more firefighting capability, a lot more rescue capability,” said Maui Fire Chief Bradford Ventura. It comes at a perfect time as the county sees alarming numbers of wildfires. See Full Story.... Read more
26-May-2022Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter is pleased to announce a new 12-year contract with the Department Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Western Australia, to provide 24/7 emergency rescue helicopter operations. Vince D’Rozario, CHC’s Regional Director Asia Pacific, said: “We are honoured to be awarded this contract. This award reinforces the strong partnership with DFES, established over the... Read more
23-May-2022
Emergency landing in lake while scooping water for firefighting work for a fire in the area of Wymysłów. Helicopter ended up nearly fully submerged and inverted. Sole occupant pilot safely left helicopter and was admitted to hospital... Read more
6-May-2022Source: msn
The Cal Fire Air Attack Base in Hollister now has an even greater defense going into this fire season – the S70i, also known as the fire hawk. On Sunday, Cal Fire helicopter pilot, Dennis Smith who’s been flying for 30 years admired their new chopper and shared that out of all the aircraft he’s... Read more
22-Mar-2022Source: United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced today the delivery of a HH-60 aerial fire system to Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Support Unit. United Rotorcraft configured the aircraft with their FIRESYSTEM, including a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft, extended landing gear to accommodate the tank, and... Read more
9-Mar-2022Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), and United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, today signed a marketing teaming agreement that formalizes how both companies will collaborate to meet growing global interest in the S-70™ FIREHAWK® helicopter. The agreement will enable the team to identify demand, and more quickly build and configure new... Read more
28-Feb-2022Source: Milestone Aviation
The Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, has partnered with Australian fire-fighting equipment designer, Helitak Firefighting Equipment Pty Ltd (“Helitak”), to develop a new mission for the Sikorsky S-92A as a next-generation, multi-purpose fire-fighting platform. As the largest owner of the S-92A, Milestone worked closely with Helitak to develop the... Read more
21-Jan-2022Source: Helitak
Arista Aviation Services (Arista) and Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment (Helitak) have entered into a Cooperation Agreement to modify and provide aerial firefighting helicopters with expandable underbelly fire suppression tanks. As a leader in Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 airframe modifications, Arista retrofits different configurations, including the aerial firefighting platform and views the Helitak FT4500 as a... Read more
19-Jan-2022Source: AvSax
Many air ambulance helicopters in the UK are now carrying a specialist piece of equipment to help keep the crew, patients and aircraft safe in the event of a fire or even an explosion. More than 20 helicopters are operated by specialist aerial emergency medical services (EMS) company Babcock and following a detailed look into... Read more
15-Dec-2021
Experts agree that there will be above-normal temperature conditions and below-normal rainfall, which implies that the fuel – the vegetation – will have much drier characteristics and this evidently contributes to a greater frequency and extension of forest fires that will break out in the central-southern area of the country. Faced with this worrying forecast,... Read more
19-Nov-2021Source: Bell
Helitrans Pyrinees S.L. took delivery of its first Bell 429 in March 2021. Renowned for its class-leading capabilities and flexible platform, the Bell 429 has enabled the Spanish operator to expand into special missions such as search and rescue (SAR) and firefighting. “The 429 was an easy decision for us. The spacious cabin, impressive mountain... Read more
17-Nov-2021Source: Kestrel Aviation
Following on from its multi-award-winning success in developing an effective night firebombing helicopter program in partnership with the Victorian Government, Kestrel Aviation has now achieved another significant milestone on its journey to providing around-the-clock aerial firefighting capability that protects Australian communities. Following six years of development with local agency stakeholders, and the Australian Civil Aviation... Read more
16-Nov-2021Source: Russian Helicopters
The upgraded Ka-32A11M firefighting helicopter produced by the JSC Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) took off for the first time and began flight tests. The machine fitted with new engines, radio-electronic equipment and fire-extinguishing system is to undergo preliminary and certification tests in 2022-2023, after which it will be available for Russian and... Read more
3-Nov-2021Source: Babcock
This year Babcock the aerospace, defence and security company has flown more than 5,500 missions and more than 11,000 flight hours across its global leading aerial firefighting and fire prevention operation, dropping approximately 200 million litres of water to fight wild-fires in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Canada. With more than 35 years of experience in... Read more
19-Oct-2021Source: US Forest Service
This past Saturday, the last remaining USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest (Region 5) Firewatch Cobra Program Viet Nam War-era helicopter took its final flight as we transition to a new era of aerial supervision utilizing modern helicopters and implement modern technologies like fixed-wing aircraft to service a larger landscape. . Additionally, Region 5 has stood... Read more
15-Oct-2021Source: HeliHub.com
The Romanian Government has announced the results of a helicopter tender, although like many such processes, it is already subject to an appeal from an unselected bidder. The requirement was for up to twelve medium/heavy helicopters, to be operated by Serviciul Mobil de Urgență, Reanimare și Descarcerare – fortunately known by its SMURD initials –... Read more
6-Oct-2021Source: Ecocopter
The commune of Til Til is on red alert due to the voracious forest fire in the area, where there are five helicopters and four airplanes flying over the area to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading. In addition to this, there is the Los Vilos fire, active since Monday. Climate change, the... Read more
26-Aug-2021Source: Greek City Times
Greek industrial company Mytilineos SA has sourced from Australia 4 fully equipped fire fighting helicopters to help bring under control the fires that have been raging in Greece in recent weeks. The company said in a statement this week that it was bringing to Greece four Bell 214 BI helicopters and a crew of 20... Read more
19-Aug-2021Source: Columbia Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters last month signed a contract partnering with CMC Savunma Sanayi A.S. to provide two (2) Columbia 234 Multi-Mission Chinooks for firefighting and external load operations in Turkey. The contract encompasses the fire season and marks Columbia’s first operation in the country. CMC Savunma Sanayi A.S. is the original awardee of the contract with... Read more
17-Aug-2021Source: United Rotorcraft
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) announced today the signing of a contract with United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, to complete and deliver a Sikorsky S70i FIREHAWK® helicopter. Configured by United Rotorcraft with a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft, an extended landing gear to... Read more
4-Aug-2021Source: EHang
EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH) (“EHang” or the “Company”), the world’s leading autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) technology platform company, announced that EHang AAVs including EH216F (firefighting model), EH216 and Falcon B Series were utilized in the recent UAV fire rescue drill in Laixi City, Qingdao, in Shandong Province, China to collaborate with the local Emergency... Read more
15-Jul-2021Source: EHang
EHang Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: EH) (“EHang” or the “Company”), the world’s leading autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) technology platform company, today announced it has successfully completed the technical examination of its EH216F AAV, the firefighting model, by the China National Fire-Fighting Equipment Quality Supervision Testing Center (“NFFE”) as entrusted by the Company. The NFFE is a... Read more
12-Jul-2021Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday saw two twin-turbine helicopters have accidents in Spain. In the early hours of the morning, a Customs AS365N3 Dauphin operated by Eliance was chasing a boat crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, suspected of drug running. No details have yet been released as to the circumstances of how the helicopter ended up in the water. ... Read more
11-Jul-2021
Firefighting helicopter had just completed water pickup when it lost power and descended into a lake – see video of incident. 2 POB out OK and rescued. Helicopter was involved in fighting a fire at Cinco Villas... Read more
7-Jul-2021
Firefighting helicopter ditched into Lake Shastina, from where it was picking up water. US Forest Service reported that the pilot was able to swim/walk away... Read more
1-Jul-2021Source: HeliHub.com
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has announced that they have received an order from Fukuoka City for the five-bladed H145 (aka BK117 D3) for firefighting and disaster prevention . This is the Japanese manufacturer’s first order for a D3 in the firefighting / disaster prevention role, something Japan is well known for. Fukuoka City Fire Department Fire... Read more
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-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