This website uses cookies
More information
Air bp
Air bp
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...

Coulson Group
Charter

Sikorsky S-61N

Sikorsky S-76

BAN's World Gazetteer

Canada
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Coulson to operate first US Type 1 HeliTanker programme
Coulson Aviation spearheaded the establishment of night fire suppression in Australia, where operations include hover filling from open water sources and night vision goggles. It is now bringing its expertise to the US.
The S-76B provides the eyes, whie the S-61N delivers the water.

Coulson Aviation USA has been contracted by Orange County Fire Authority in partnership with electricity supply company Southern California Edison (SCE) to bring its NVG aerial fire fighting programme to the USA.

“This night programme is an extension of the excellent work started in Australia by Emergency Management Victoria, National Ariel Firefighting Centre and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. We believe we have a safety-first night firefighting operation that will benefit the firefighters and communities we serve,” says CEO Wayne Coulson.

The Next Generation Aerial Operations Based Pilot Program is a 150-day night aerial firefighting programme that is structured along the lines of the highly successful programme in Victoria, Australia. It comprises use of a Type 1 helitanker, with a capacity of more than 1,000 gallons and capable of hover filling at night from the nearest available water source or portable tank, and a Type 2 intelligence-gathering helicopter. The Type 1 helitanker providing night fire suppression, working in coordination with an intelligence gathering helicopter for risk/benefit decision-making, will be the first of its kind in the US.

“Edison is making significant investments to assist firefighting capabilities across our service area to protect our customers and communities from the ongoing threat of wildfires,” explains SCE's vice president of local public affairs Chris Thompson. “This most recent project is an opportunity for Edison to accelerate the first US deployment of this innovative firefighting technology. Since more than a third of our service area is located in state‐designated high fire risk areas, it's essential for us to regularly partner with fire authorities on groundbreaking programmes like this.”

“This could be a game changer thanks to Southern California Edison,” says Orange County Fire Authority fire chief Brian Fennessy. “Fighting wildfires at night is optimal because weather conditions are more favourable; temperatures are down, humidity is up and winds are typically lighter. The ability to have an aerial resource that can precisely drop large volumes of water on a fire will make a significant difference. And the ability to measure its effectiveness will help us determine if the success outweighs the risk.”

The Type I helicopter that Coulson will operate for the night fire suppression operation is a Sikorsky S-61N, with a smaller Type 2 Sikorsky S-76B conducting reconnaissance and providing a supervision platform. The S-76B is night vision goggle equipped and is fitted with a HD thermal imaging camera to assist in the safe management of night fire suppression operations and hot spot detection.

This new capability is operating under an exclusive-use contract with OCFA and is available to respond on a 24/7 basis to fire agency requests within southern California.

Other News
 
Sikorsky admirer Construction continues national projects
October 3, 2024
Construction Helicopters views the Sikorsky S-61 as a great multi-mission aircraft, and it is currently engaged in a number of projects including for the Department of Defense in the US. It also flies a King Air 350.
Flexjet launches sky-high luxury London first
July 26, 2024
Guests at The Emory who arrive at one of London's business airports will be flown in a Flexjet helicopter to The London Heliport at Battersea, where they will be collected by the house car for the short drive on to the hotel.
Coulson secures 10 year contract to support NSW firefighting
July 19, 2024
Coulson will oversee a fleet of 11 aircraft, including a 737 Fireliner large air tanker, two Cessna Citations, six Bell 412s, a CH-47 Chinook and a Beechcraft Super King Air. It will employ primarily Australian crews.