MAY / JUNE 2022
AERIAL FIREFIGHTING EUROPE 2022 SHOW ISSUE
AERIAL FIRE FIGHTING NORTH AMERICA SHOW RECAP NEPTUNE AVIATION PILOT TRAINING COULSON NIGHT AERIAL FIREFIGHTING IN AUSTRALIA
|
Foam Injection Systems
CHARLOTTE COUNTY’S FIRE SUPPRESSION INNOVATION
PILOTS WITH ADHD
|
THE INCIDENT TRAFFIC AREA
THE TIP OF THE SPEAR REQUIRES EXCELLENCE
Aerial firefighting is front line work. It requires commitment, expertise and reliability. Neal Aircraft has been rooted in these qualities for over 75 years. Our sales, service and parts support are dedicated to ensuring your success.
806.828.5892
NEALAIRCRAFT.COM
While you’re busy fighting fires, they’re busy fighting facts.
Myth Magnesium Chloride-based retardants are more effective than current PHOS-CHEK® products.
Reality Studies in 1954 and 1970 show magnesium chloride is far less effective than phosphate-based retardants. Current QPL listing shows it requires nearly 2x as much magnesium chloride as current PHOS-CHEK® products to make a gallon of retardant.
Trusted. Solutions That Save. perimeter-solutions.com
ASIA PACIFIC
Tel: +61 2 9673 5300
PHOS-CHEK® AUXQUIMIA®
UNITED STATES
Tel: +1 909 983 0772
© 2021 PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PERIMETER SOLUTIONS IS A TRADEMARK OF PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP OR ITS AFFILIATES.
SOLBERG® FIRE-TROL®
EMEA
Tel: +34 985 24 29 45
aerialfiremag.com | AF 3
IN THIS ISSUE:
66
COVER STORY:
FOAM INJECTION SYSTEMS CHARLOTTE COUNTY’S FIRE SUPPRESSION INNOVATION
SAN DIEGO SUCCESS
28
TANGENT LINK’S AERIAL FIREFIGHTING SHOW RETURNS TO THE USA
60
NEPTUNE PILOT TRAINING AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND FIRE TRAFFIC AREA FOCUSED
P.O. Box 850 • Perry, GA 31069 USA 475 Myrtle Field Rd. • Perry, GA 31069 USA PHONE: 478-987-2250 FAX: 478-352-0025 info@marsaylmedia.com • aerialfiremag.com AERIALFIRE IS PUBLISHED BY
PUBLISHER: Graham Lavender - graham@marsaylmedia.com EDITOR IN CHIEF: Ryan Mason - ryan@marsaylmedia.com ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATION: Casey Armstrong - casey@marsaylmedia.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Melanie Woodley - melanie@marsaylmedia.com PRODUCTION: Daniela Constantino - daniela@marsaylmedia.com CIRCULATION: Mary Jane Virden - maryjane@marsaylmedia.com
70
COULSON AVIATION
NIGHT AERIAL FIREFIGHTING IN AUSTRALIA
IN THIS ISSUE THE DROP - EDITORIAL. EDITORIAL..........................................................................................................................................................................6 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 AERIAL FIRE PICS.................................................................................................................................................................................. PICS..................................................................................................................................................................................88 CRAYMERS CORNER. CORNER............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 RICK TURNER JOINS NEAL AIRCRAFT................................................................................................................................................. AIRCRAFT.................................................................................................................................................42 42 TRACPLUS APPOINTS TIM LYNSKEY AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE. EXECUTIVE.......................................................................................................43 ..................................................................................................... 43 INNOVATIVE AUSTRALIAN DESIGN HELPING TO FIGHT FIRES ALL OVER THE WORLD. WORLD......................................................................44 .................................................................... 44 FIRE IN RIO GRANDE DO SOL A RECURRING PROBLEM...................................................................................................................... PROBLEM......................................................................................................................52 52 FIGHTING FIRES FOR FARMERS IN THE BRAZILIAN MIDWEST.......................................................................................................... MIDWEST..........................................................................................................56 56
© Copyright 2022 AerialFire retains all rights for reproduction of any material submitted, to include but not limited to articles, photographs, emails and bulletin board posts. All material remain the copyright of AerialFire. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in part or whole, without the written consent of the publisher. Editorial published do not necessary reflect the views of the publisher. Content within AerialFire is believed to be true and accurate and the publisher does not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions. Unsolicited editorial manuscripts and photos are welcomed and encouraged. We cannot be responsible for return unless submissions are accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Advertising deadline is 12 noon, on the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. AerialFire (ISSN 1081-6496) Published bimonthly by Blue Sky Investments, Inc., 475 Myrtle Field Road, Perry, GA 31069
THE DROP
Ryan Mason ryan@aerialfiremag.com
Shows are Back! As the new fire season approaches, I know I’m not the only one expecting a busy one. Busy is good for businesses that work in the industry but bad for those at the other end of wildfires. I know that we all take safety very seriously. Companies have spent days, weeks, and months preparing for this fire season, be it maintenance of aircraft, training new staff, retraining and giving recurrent training to existing staff, and ensuring that all of the regulations are followed. I know legislatively, it’s been quite a complex here with some of the new rules that have been pushed towards the aerial firefighting industry. Although some of it may have been a little quickly planned and not well thought out for the sector, which was evidenced later when things were not followed through. In March, part of the travel I did was to Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas and the Aerial Firefighting North America show in San Diego, California put on by Tangent Link, which you will see a full write-up for in this issue. The Aerial Firefighting North America show was the first post covid for Tangent Link and by all accounts, was a resounding success for the company after a several year forced hiatus. It was
AF 6 | aerialfiremag.com
great to once again see so many familiar industry faces and renew many professional connections at the show. The location along with the fantastic weather in southern California made it an even better experience for all of us that attended and backed up the need for a show of this nature, not just for the networking aspect, but for the session content and professional learning opportunities and sharing of best practices from around the country and the world in aerial firefighting. Heli-Expo was another show that returned after a year off due to covid and offered a little less in the weather department for all of us, with snow flurries and very cold temps that are less common in Texas. Weather aside, the show was about a mile of everything helicopter, with a strong showing from the aerial firefighting world, including Milestone bringing in an S-92 with Helitak’s newest prototype tank attached, that, when certified, will allow for the S-92 to add aerial firefighting to its mission capabilities, along with maintaining its passenger carrying capacity that will allow for the helicopter to also function as a troop carrier to move ground firefighters when needed unlike other large tank aircraft currently in operation in the industry.
Another interesting addition that is awaiting certification that I had a chance to experience was Standard Aero’s new four axis autopilot for the Airbus AS-350 range. Once certified, this will add a layer of safety for the type 3 helicopter that is not currently in existence. During a test flight at the show, I was given a run down of the system that for someone with minimal Astar time, was a game changer. For those of you familiar with the aircraft, know that you dance on the pedals during landing a lot. It was quite alien for me to land with my feet on the floor. This system along with many others on the floor of the show will hopefully increase safety within the industry over the next several years as they make their way through certification. As many of you probably already know, I talk about safety a lot. I am pretty passionate about it because I have lost enough friends, and I hope that the information in the magazine might make a difference one day. Be it safety or something else, a driving factor for me is giving our readers worthwhile information. It could be information on a new segment of the industry that could be an opportunity, or it could be your photo we published from a fire. Whatever that draw is, I hope it continues, and I hope that we continue to be your trusted resource in the industry. Just like when I first joined the aviation industry as a flight student, I hope that you look forward to each issue arriving as much as we do putting the final touches on each magazine. Fly Safe,
Services we provide for the TPE331: Complete Overhaul Hot Section Inspections Gearbox Inspections Complete Test Cell Service 24 Hour AOG Field Service - Including Engine R&R
Services we provide for the GTCP36: Hot Section Inspections APU Repair Compressor Carbon Seal Replacement Heavy Repair 24 Hour AOG Support Maintenance Training
aerialfiremag.com | AF 7
An Erickson Aero Tanker drops a load of retardant during the Madras Air Show in 2021. Photo by Terry Gleason
The old and the new on display in Northern California during a training event. Photo by Maureen Bonessa AF 8 | aerialfiremag.com
AERIAL FIRE PICS
Miami Dade’s Bell 412 now resides in Victoria as Helitak 331 with Microflite. Photo by Dave Soderstrom
A CAL FIRE S-70i attacks the Cobb Fire in Altadena, CA in February 2022. Photo by Hrach Tiflizyan aerialfiremag.com | AF 9
CAL FIRE’s new tanker 118 lands at Ramona Airport in California for the first time. Photo by Ryan Grothe
Coulson’s Tanker 137 Fireliner drops a load of retardant on a fire in Martin, Western Australia. Photo by Daniel Batt AF 10 | aerialfiremag.com
AERIAL FIRE PICS
Neptune Aviation’s Tanker 01 drops a line of retardant in California. Photo by Jeremy Ulloa
A Helicopter Transport Services Sky Crane dips for water in California. Photo by Michael Piper. aerialfiremag.com | AF 11
CRAYMER’S COUNSEL
Robert Craymer - robertc@covingtonaircraft.com
CycleTracking Cycle Tracking
In 2021, we celebrated the 100th year of agricultural aviation and I celebrated my 25th year with Covington Aircraft. Many achievements in life are marked by time. “Let every man be master of his time.” ? William Shakespeare. Now many of you are wondering, Craymer how are you going to talk about engine maintenance with an opening paragraph about time. Engine maintenance time is tracked by hours, cycles, and life limited components. It used to be that everything was monitored off cycles, however, hours are starting to become as much a part of time tracking now as cycles. Turbine blade maintenance is now being tracked using hours. For some models like the PT6A-65AG the compressor turbine blades have an inspection that must be done at 3000 hours. Pratt & Whitney Canada calls this inspection a “Creep” check. The “Creep” check is the removing of compressor turbine a.k.a. CT blades and checking their growth. This is an inspection that must be done at an engine shop. Your on-wing mechanic is not going to have all the tooling for blade removal, inspection, installation, and AF 12 | aerialfiremag.com
balance. Be advised that this also could possibly result in the replacement of the shroud segments. Another blade maintenance item can be found on the PT6A67AG. The replacement of the 2nd stage power turbine blades is recommended by 5000 hours. Don’t be deceived by the word recommended, the replacement of the power turbine blades at 5000 hours is very important. We have seen several engines that were more than the 5000-hour time frame and the blades have liberated. Pratt & Whitney Canada has expressed that they can use the term required only in issuance of an AD, recommended is the strongest language that can be used without an AD. Be advised there are some commercial support programs to help owner/operators of PT6A-67AG engine with the cost of the blade replacement. One is only able to take advantage of commercial support programs while the programs are still active and through Pratt & Whitney Canada family of approved shops, including Covington Aircraft. As more maintenance is being dictated by hours you can see the tracking of hours is becoming more and more important to engine maintenance. ➤
THE GAME CHANGER IN FIRE FIGHTING
C-27J Fire Fighter The C-27J Fire Fighter with roll-on/roll-off second generation Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) by UAC, the world leader of advanced aerial application systems, represents the market leading edge. The Fire Fighter version enhances the multi-mission capabilities of the C-27J, with significantly lower acquisition and operating cost than a dedicated platform. The flexible aircraft allows rapid reconfiguration for transport, humanitarian support, civil protection and SAR roles.
leonardo.com aerialfiremag.com | AF 13
Cycle tracking on the other hand has always been important. To clarify, a cycle is defined as a start, a flight, a landing, and a shutdown. In agricultural aviation use, we don’t typically utilize the engine and airplane in this manner. One may start the engine once or twice a day and do as many flights as your customers applications call for. PWC understands this utilization and have provided us a means for determining cycle counts using starts and flights. A common question that has been asked, can one determine starts and flights based solely on hours? The answer is no. The owner/operator is responsible for tracking of starts and flights and providing those to your maintenance provider or engine shop. Thankfully tools are being introduced to make this an easier process. We have evolved from the days of clicker counters in the cockpit to things like the MVP-50T that has the capability of tracking starts and flights. There are also some flight tracking and job tracking software options that are becoming available. I encourage operators to talk to their vendors and suppliers for value added tools and see if they already have or can add this tracking to their products. We know when a job is inputted you know how many loads that job will take therefore know how many flights that job is going to be. Once the hours, starts and flights are provided we will be able to use the formula found in the appropriate service AF 14 | aerialfiremag.com
bulletin. For example, the PT6A-34AG formula is found in service bulletin 1302. Why is all this important? The engine contains several components that are life limited. They must be replaced when a specific cycle limit has been reached. These components are the compressor rotors, the impeller, and the turbine disks. When work is performed on your engine in the shop, the shop must be able to verify that these limits have not been reached. If during a hot section inspection and cycles cannot be determined for the CT disk, replacement is the only option. It cannot be assumed that cycles remain on the disk or any life limited component. If you must replace the CT disk on your engine it would cost thousands of dollars. I am not trying to scare you but want to show you time tracking has a direct effect on the operating cost of your engine. As we mark time in our personal and professional lives make sure and consider that marking time on your engine is equally important. Track your hours. Track your starts. Track your flights. Tracking these will make the time you own/ operate your engine easier and cheaper. Be the master of your time. Please reach out to me at robertc@covingtonaircraft.com if you have any questions and I’ll be glad to assist.
SEE THROUGH SMOKE, SAVE LIVES
The Star SAFIRE® 380-HD, 380-HDc and 380X systems from Teledyne FLIR provide clear and detailed imagery of thermal activity on the ground. With tactical IR capabilities in the air, airborne firefighting crews can augment the situational awareness of ground crews and keep incident management apprised of critical issues in order to protect communities from wildfire damage and save lives.
Learn more at FLIR.com/AF22 aerialfiremag.com | AF 15
DART Acquires Paravion, Announces Partnership Agreement with JAC/KHI DART Aerospace announced on March 3rd, 2022, that it has acquired the aircraft equipment manufacturer Paravion Technology Inc. and Century Helicopters Inc., its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO)/service center arm. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Paravion launched in 1985 and today offers an extensive list of products including environmental control systems such as heating and air conditioning, camera mount systems, and its trademark Heliporter ground handling unit for helicopters. The company holds close to 70 FAA certifications and more than 200 foreign validations including EASA, TCCA, and PMA approvals for replacement parts. This includes environmental control systems certified under OEM type certificates.
Larry Hansen (Left, Paravaion Technology Inc and Century Helicopters Inc) with Alain Madore (Right. President and CEO DART Aerospace).
“Paravion’s diverse quality product offering, when paired with DART’s powerful global marketing strength, open incredible opportunities to boost Paravion’s products and expand DART’s leadership as a one-stop mission equipment supplier” says Alain Madore, DART’s President and CEO. DART’s acquisition of Paravion will allow the mission equipment and replacement parts manufacturer to broaden and diversify its product portfolio with over 1,500 STCs. It will enable DART to offer several exciting new product categories to its global network of OEMs and helicopter operators, including heating and air conditioning systems and the Heliporter® tug.
Also in March, Japan Aerospace Corporation (JAC) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) signed an agreement on the 23rd with DART to design and certify a fire attack® system for the new five-bladed H145. The partnership came at the request of DART representative JAC to market a fire attack® system for the H145 helicopter in Japan. KHI, who will assemble the new five-bladed H145 in Japan, is partnering with JAC to help test, certify and install the tank with DART on H145.
Century Helicopters has built a reputation of strong completion expertise in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) completion arena. Century’s facilities will remain focused on serving their existing customers and its ISR contracts, leveraging its completion expertise to expand and grow this business segment for DART.
“This agreement not only creates opportunities for new markets that operate this high performing aircraft, but it also expands DART’s portfolio of products to another popular aircraft model,” says Steve Ghaleb, VP of Sales at DART Aerospace. “This is another example of DART’s longstanding history of partnerships with our clients to collaboratively find solutions for their missions.”
“This is an exciting time for Paravion and our customers,” says Larry Hansen, President and CEO of Paravion/Century. “This blending of capabilities and products will provide increased support and opportunity to our current customers and, through DART’s extensive network, bring quality Paravion products to a larger share of the market.”
“We are excited to work together with DART for a fire attack® system solution that serves our H145//BK117D-3 customers in Japan,” says Hiroshi Kuramae, President & CEO at JAC “DART systems are popular here and this new addition will help that popularity grow with a new set of customers.”
Paravion will transition into operating under the DART brand, which with the acquisition expands to nine locations worldwide, including four manufacturing centers of excellence.
FAA certification for the H145 Fire Attack® System is expected by the end of 2022 with Japanese JCAB certification following afterward.
AF 16 | aerialfiremag.com
Air Tractor Launches Aerial Firefighting Website The Air Tractor AT-802F and amphibious 802F Fire Boss are proven tools in the fight against wildfires. Predominantly used for rapid and direct initial attack, these agile forward-attack single engine air tanker (SEAT) aircraft are among the most versatile and cost-effective tools in many firefighting agencies’ toolkit.
success across the globe,” said Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch. “As fire seasons have grown longer and more complex, more firefighting agencies are recognizing the value of the AT- 802F for quick, cost-effective response to fire starts.”
Now, Air Tractor has launched a new aerial firefighting website: AT802F.com. It features the AT- 802F, 802F Fire Boss, as well as the latest insights and information about rapid response and initial attack tactics.
The new website provides in-depth information about the AT-802F and is a resource for those looking at the aircraft, SEAT operations, as well as utilizing them more effectively in wildfire prevention and initial response approaches.
“Demand for these aircraft continues to grow as hotter, increasingly destructive wildfires become the norm. More than 350 AT-802F airplanes have been delivered and are working with great
“The new AT802f.com website is a knowledge center sharing new ideas in the application and use of the AT802F and 802F Fire Boss in a rapidly changing wildfire environment. We
hope it can help firefighting agencies to evaluate if their current response is still the right response for these challenging times in the fight against wildfires,” Hirsch said. Visit at802f.com for more.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 17
United Rotorcraft Delivers FIRESYSTEM to Santa Barbara County United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced March 2, 2022 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 a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in 90 seconds. This equipment is designed to extinguish fires rapidly at their inception. Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Support Unit currently operates an assortment of Bell OH-58 Kiowas and Bell UH-1 Hueys to support the growing demand of Aerial Firefighting and Search and Rescue operations in their region. The addition of this HH-60 fire support helicopter will not only significantly increase the unit’s but will also provide a higher level of safety for the operators and occupants. Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Division Chief, Anthony Stornetta, said, “With the addition of this state-of-the-art aircraft, we now have longer fuel cycles, shorter turn-around times, less time in the dip (filling the water tank), more water on the fires, and longer commitment to the command and control over the incident. Having the 1,000-gallon water capacity tank with the Blackhawk helicopter compared to the 260 gallons on the Huey aircraft, will provide the county better capability to extinguish fires. The modified HH-60 helicopter will also provide for safer AF 18 | aerialfiremag.com
trips to the islands for rescues and medical transport, while flying over the ocean. We would like to say thank you to the skilled workforce at United Rotorcraft, which was able to troubleshoot and correct deficiencies in the aircraft, all while providing seamless communication and a passion for detailed-oriented success." United Rotorcraft has transformed the legacy HH-60 aircraft by converting the twin-engine aircraft to a best in class aerial firefighting configuration by installing a Macro Blue avionics system to give pilots control over the FIRESYSTEM. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or as an external load, while becoming an amazing firefighting asset. These upgrades will significantly reduce pilot workload and increase mission effectiveness, while operating in a high-stakes environment. “We thank the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Unit for its trust in United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving, mission-critical asset to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s team.” said United Rotorcraft’s President, Larry Alexandre. “We are proud to provide them with a tool that will significantly increase their mission capabilities. Santa Barbara County firefighters and the citizens they protect now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can attack fires at night, maneuver with agility in every condition imaginable, and save their livelihood on a greater scale than ever before.”
TURN THE TABLES,
OVERNIGHT When darkness falls, fires calm. This is the time to strike. With ASU, now you can. As the pioneer in next generation night vision goggles for firefighting, ASU’s superior visual acuity lets you see clearly to land, refill suppressant, and travel to and from the fire at night. Now you can make the other 10 hours of the day your most effective.
VISIT US | AERIAL FIREFIGHTING EUROPE
BOOTH 129
AVIATION SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED
www.ASU-NVG.com +1 (208) 426-8117
When you need a S.E.A.T., ask for a
CO Fire SUPER S.E.A.T. Ask about our night capabilities using NVG’s. • 1,600 HP Wipaire STC PWC PT6A-67F • Capable of loading to 16,000 lbs Max Gross Weight across all alt and Temp ranges • 380 gallon fuel tanks - 4.5+ hours over the fire • Type 3 Hydromax Gate • 20-30% more productive than standard S.E.A.T. • Synthetic Vision Glass Panel • Many other advanced safety features
970-867-8414 www.cofireaviation.com
More Performance, More Productivity
aerialfiremag.com | AF 19
Blackhawk Aerospace Announces Agreement To Acquire Controlling Ownership Of Recoil Aerospace Blackhawk Aerospace announced on March 8th, 2022, that the company has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire controlling ownership of Recoil Aerospace, LLC, an innovative designer and manufacturer of lightweight, carbon fiber composite wildland fire suppression tanks, aircraft aerostructures, and ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel tanks for helicopters. This agreement allows Blackhawk to diversify into a growing marketplace while lending its vast manufacturing experience and capabilities to expand the market for Recoil’s products. “This is an exciting time for Recoil as we partner with Blackhawk to amplify our lightweight, cost-effective products around the world,” Joseph Rice, Managing Director of Recoil Aerospace. “We are looking forward to not only growing our market base, but also bringing a number of exciting indevelopment products to certification. Together, we will set the new standard in wildfire suppression, focused on safety and improving mission capabilities.” Blackhawk, an industry leader in developing, certifying, and manufacturing performance product enhancements for aircraft, will grow and expand Recoil’s safe, cost-effective solutions in the aerospace marketplace. Blackhawk brings decades of extensive experience in production design and certification, its government and defense division’s AF 20 | aerialfiremag.com
government program expertise, and its composite division’s capabilities to expand Recoil’s product line in the rotorcraft marketplace. “This exciting partnership will increase Blackhawk’s diversification into a growing global market,” says Matt Shieman, Chairman of Blackhawk Aerospace. “The fire suppression market is growing with global demand increasing for new technology to replace aging products and solutions, which are 15 to 20 years old. Recoil is an innovative company with fresh, unique capabilities and solutions. Our two companies will combine efforts to accelerate delivery of new technology into this high growing global market that needs new, diverse solutions immediately.” Established in 2008, Recoil has evolved into a global leader in lightweight carbon fiber composite solutions.?The Recoil Aerospace family of companies’ experience, expertise, and skill in developing strong, lightweight helicopter Tsunami Wildfire Suppression Tanks, Zeus Ballistically Tolerant Auxiliary Fuel Tanks, and Aero-Structure modifications allows their customers to increase mission performance in austere, hostile environments, providing a distinct global advantage. The agreement is expected to close Q3 2022.
WHEN WILDFIRES STRIKE, YOU NEED TO
STRIKE BACK Coastal Air Strike’s agile, forward-attack SEAT (single engine air tanker) and Fire Boss (amphibious SEAT) aircraft are your best chance to contain small wildfires, to prevent them from becoming big wildfires. Their ability to operate from virtually all airports, ranging from large tanker bases to remote airstrips – even reloading at portable retardant bases – along with the Fire Boss’s ability to scoop nearby water sources, proves them invaluable.
307 E Cowboy Way, LaBelle Regional Airport, LaBelle, FL 33935 863-612-0080 coastalairstrike.com
We can take the heat
aerialfiremag.com | AF 21
The DeHavilland DHC-515 continues on the legacy of the CL-215 and CL-415 aerial firefighting platforms.
De Havilland Launches the DHC-515 Firefighter De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) announced on March 31st, 2022 that it has launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter (formerly known as the CL-515) program. “After an extensive business and technical review, we are pleased to announce that we have launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter program, which will involve negotiating contracts with our European customers and ramping up for production,” said Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer of De Havilland Canada. The DHC-515 Firefighter will build on the history of the iconic Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft which have been a critical part of European and North American aerial firefighting fleets for over 50 years. Important upgrades are being made that will increase the functionality and effectiveness of this legendarily rugged firefighting aircraft. European customers have signed letters of intent to purchase the first 22 aircraft pending the positive outcome of government-to-government negotiations through the Government of Canada’s contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). De Havilland Canada expects first deliveries of the DHC-515 by the middle of the decade, with deliveries of aircraft 23 and beyond to begin at the end of the decade, providing other customers the opportunity to renew existing fleets or proceed with new acquisition opportunities at that time. De Havilland Canada acquired the Canadair CL program in 2016 and has been contemplating a return to production since 2019. The new DHC-515 Firefighter matches the other aircraft in the De Havilland fleet in terms of lifespan, ruggedness and AF 22 | aerialfiremag.com
Canadian aerospace engineering quality. The final assembly of the aircraft will take place in Calgary, Alberta where work on the CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft currently takes place. It is anticipated that more than 500 people will need to be recruited over the coming years to successfully deliver this program. “To bring the DHC-515 into production is important for not only our company, but countries around the world who rely on our aircraft to protect their people and forests,” said Chafe. “We understand the important role the previous aircraft have played in protecting people and property and as our climate continues to change and summers increase in both temperature and length, the DHC-515 will be an important tool for countries around the globe to use in putting out fires.” “Today’s announcement is an example of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) supporting Canadian innovators to scale up, reach new markets, and have a positive global impact. Not only is this great news for Canadian exports, but for all the countries that will benefit from its technology advancements and worldclass solutions.” said the honorable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. “As the effects of climate change continue to impact countries around the world, CCC and the Government of Canada are proud to stand with De Havilland Canada in providing this world class solution to our EU partners and allies. We look forward to supporting DHC as other governments wishing to procure these next generation aerial firefighting aircraft come forward.” said Bobby Kwon, President and CEO of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).
Can Fire Retardants Get Better? With Us They Can. New PHOS-CHEK® LCE20-Fx offers superior performance with a lower environmental footprint
Why PHOS-CHEK LCE20-Fx? • USDA Forest Service certified • 100% premium-grade phosphate product
Working with global fire safety agencies and alongside frontline firefighters we’re always looking to make our aerial fire retardants
• Superior aerial visibility
better. More effective. Safer. Easier deployment. Higher visibility. Hassle-free mixing and storage.
• Low environmental footprint
In the critical area of environmental performance, our PHOS-CHEK
• Improved aquatic toxicity
LCE20-Fx fire retardant represents a next generation technology – featuring lower aquatic toxicity, low impact on vegetation and high
• Improved product stability
efficiency in use. Beyond taking care of our natural environment, that makes PHOS-CHEK LCE20-Fx safer to use, easier to handle and
• Easier handling
reduces disposal costs.
• Reduced maintenance costs
Let us know how we can help you with better products and services. We’re listening.
• Enhanced product safety
Trusted. Solutions That Save. perimeter-solutions.com
ASIA PACIFIC
Tel: +61 2 9673 5300
PHOS-CHEK® AUXQUIMIA®
UNITED STATES
Tel: +1 909 983 0772
© 2022 PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PERIMETER SOLUTIONS IS A TRADEMARK OF PERIMETER SOLUTIONS LP OR ITS AFFILIATES.
SOLBERG® FIRE-TROL®
EMEA
Tel: +34 985 24 29 45
aerialfiremag.com | AF 23
Columbia Helicopters & Brightwater UAG sign MOU.
Columbia Helicopters Enters MOU with Brightwater UAG to Support the GE CT58 Engine and Sikorsky S-61
“
“This MOU allows us to be well positioned with United Aero Group to support the S-61 and CT58 communities with product/ logistics support and OEM components. — Santiago Crespo, Vice President of Growth and Strategy at Columbia Helicopters.
Columbia Helicopters and Brightwater United Aero Group (UAG) announced on March 21, 2022, that both companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding to work cooperatively on a Supply Chain Agreement supporting the GE CT58 engine and the Sikorsky S-61 platform in its entirety. Columbia has operated and maintained the CT58 engine for more than six decades, developing a strong relationship with GE over the years including partnering to evolve the product. In March 2018, Columbia Helicopters became the Total Logistics Support provider for all operators and maintainers of GE T58 and CT58 engines. Under that agreement with GE, Columbia was licensed to produce all procurable spare parts under its FAA Production Certificate utilizing OEM drawings and specifications and provide maintenance for the global fleet. “This MOU allows us to be well positioned with United Aero Group to support the
AF 24 | aerialfiremag.com
S-61 and CT58 communities with product/ logistics support and OEM components. We are excited to team with United Aero Group and leverage both of our talents,” says Santiago Crespo, Vice President of Growth and Strategy at Columbia Helicopters. United Aero Group was granted the Sikorsky distributorship of total support of the S-61 platform in 2020. UAG offers a full offering of S-61 support for parts, GSE and rotables. UAG believes this opportunity to work with Columbia Helicopters in developing a more holistic solution for the future of this platform will support the Operators and the OEM at a new level. Jamie Gelder, President and CEO of Brightwater UAG added: “Teaming legacy support leaders for logistics and front office customer support bolstered by the expertise needed in manufacturing and engineering supports the original OEM role by creating new revenue for the platform. We are very pleased in this opportunity to work with Columbia and the OEMs.”
JOIN US
to keep operators around the world flying!
TAE Aerospace is a global aerospace company, servicing commercial and defence customers worldwide. We create value for customers through innovative thinking, premium quality products and services in aerospace engineering, manufacturing, turbine engine and component MRO. Located across the globe, our maintenance facilities in Australia and in America are the leading provider of quality general aviation, aerial agricultural, turboprop engine and component maintenance.
Right now, we are looking for experienced Engine and Component Technicians to join our teams in Adelaide, South Australia and Scottsdale, Arizona. If you have proven TPE331, PT6A or GE H80 experience or have worked in a similar role, and looking for your next challenge – we want you!
Find out more about joining our team. email: Hr-support@taeaerospace.com phone: +61 (0) 8 8150 0200 or visit: www.taeaerospace.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 25
FlightCell Introduces SmartHUB Flightcell International’s latest innovation provides rotorcraft operators a solution for the increasing global requirement for mandatory cockpit recording. The new product is the Flightcell SmartHUB – a HD video, audio, flight data recorder and access point for USB/IP devices. “Our new SmartHUB is the perfect tool to meet increasing requirements we are observing globally for mandatory cockpit recording, especially for government and public sector rotorcraft operators,” says John Wyllie, Flightcell CEO. The Flightcell SmartHUB can monitor a range of parameters including GPS position data; altitude and speed; pressure altitude; vertical rate; turn rate; pitch; roll; and g-force; it will detect impacts and can be configured to log specific flight exceedances. The SmartHUB is a flight optimization tool – it will enable operators, maintainers, and flight crews to review human and aircraft performance and allow operations to be monitored for both efficiency and safety. Flightcell has also developed their own app to complement the Flightcell SmartHUB, so all recordings can be viewed and analysed post flight. In the past, the cost and complexity of installing recorders in light aircraft and helicopters were prohibitive. The Flightcell SmartHUB changes that completely. Installation of the compact SmartHUB is simple and cost effective – it can be installed under a local modification (minor change) and can be mounted in various positions in the smallest machines to provide virtually a “plug and play” recording capability. Furthermore the new Flightcell SmartHUB integrates with the Flightcell DZMx – the company’s flagship satcom product. In addition to the SmartHUB, the Flightcell Camera has also been designed to integrate with the SmartHUB. The discrete Flightcell Camera is USB powered and is also easily installed.
Flightcell SmartHUB & Camera Features & Benefits • Records HD video, audio, and flight data • Access point for USB/IP powered devices • Aviation compliant Wi-Fi access point • Integrated USB hub and ethernet switch
AF 26 | aerialfiremag.com
• Effective tool for flight optimization and compliance • Dedicated SmartHUB Flight Viewer software • Hardened internal removable SD card slot • Fast charging USB-A port • Integrates with the Flightcell DZMx • Ability to connect with the new compact and rugged Flightcell Camera (HD1080P) • One or two Flightcell Cameras mountable in cockpit, aircraft cabin and/or winch (future capability to accommodate three cameras) Expanding on the above-mentioned capabilities the SmartHUB also acts as a USB hub for connecting multiple USB devices. There is also charging facilities on the front facing USB-A connectors allowing for the charging of Smart Devices such as iPads. Furthermore, the SmartHUB also incorporates an ethernet switch for IP interconnection of up to five devices. An optional Wi-FI access point is included, when paired with any internet gateway device (e.g. Flightcell DZMx) which offers broadband connections. “Learning about new and pending requirements for mandatory cockpit recorders has confirmed to Flightcell there will be strong demand for our new SmartHUB product. This is also reflective in our market research and initial feedback from several operators, whereby the SmartHUB’s capabilities have exceeded their expectations, so we are excited about releasing this product in May this year,” said John.
New Tires, Retreads, Hoses, Brakes & Battery Programs. AT802, S2s to 747s. And Everything In Between. Aerial Firefighting Operators Choice.
sales@desser.com www.desser.com 800.247.8473
The only all-in-one satellite and cellular solution for global voice, data and aircraft tracking
Tracking & Operational Data Onboard Sensor Integration Fully NAFC - AFAMS & USFS - AFF compliant
USED BY:
COMPLIES WITH:
aerialfiremag.com | AF 27
San Diego SS! E C UC S
Tangent Link’s Aerial Firefighting North America Show Returns to California
AF 28 | aerialfiremag.com
After a two-year hiatus from hosting the aerial firefighting show in the United States, Tangent Link’s Aerial Fire Fighting North America returned to San Diego, ready to follow on from the success of the 2021 show held in Tallinn, Estonia.
The convention was held on March 22-23, 2022, just outside downtown San Diego at the Town and Country Resort.
The convention was held on March 2223, 2022, just outside downtown San Diego at the Town and Country Resort. AerialFire hosted its opening reception “Mixer” the day before the floor opened, setting the tone for the event to be one of sharing of best practices, successes, failures, and new products to the market that would make the job of fighting fires from the air an easier one. During the dozens of presentations throughout the two-day show, the underlying message repeated by city,
state, and county fire leadership that spoke throughout, was that we can still do a better job of providing aerial firefighting services and fighting the fires themselves. Several presentations focused on what county and state-level agencies are doing outside the norm—showcasing operations like Orange County’s Quick Reaction Force headed by fire chief Brian Fennessy. The QRF operation partners with Coulson aviation to provide County fire resources, combined with several Coulson resources that include the CU-47 Chinook and S-76 helicopters that can fight fires during both day and night operations, which provides around the clock firefighting that is still not a widely adopted practice despite its apparent benefits. ➤ aerialfiremag.com | AF 29
Other industry challenges included discussions on pilot shortages and what the industry needs to do to address that inevitable shortfall that will likely negatively impact the industry if steps are not taken in due course. The show floor was expectedly busy, with over 300 attendees moving between sessions and the show floor, where the best in products for the aerial firefighting industry were on display. The floor exhibits included everything from advanced life support helmet solutions provided by Paraclete, to firefighting bucket and tank solutions from Helitak, Recoil, SEI Industries, and Valfirest, to retardant delivery options from Perimeter Solutions, Fortress, and Blazetamer. Also in attendance were many new companies looking to provide services to the aerial firefighting industry options, from UAS solutions to night vision capabilities and enhanced vision systems. Also in attendance were options for MRO services, airport services, fire gates, aircraft sales, and manufacture. AF 30 | aerialfiremag.com
OEMs and fire service providers were a significant presence in the exhibit hall, including vendors that provide domestic and international firefighting services such as Coulson, Bridger Aerospace, Conair, Neptune, and many other businesses that spent their time exhibiting speaking to customers; both new and existing. The large contingent of exhibitors and the quality session content continue the collaboration between agencies and the private sector that make up the industry, proving another successful Tangent Link run Aerial Firefighting North America. ➤
“
“This year’s AFFNA event had record attendance,
and for good reason - the mission continues to expand, and with it, shared know how and experiences. CALFIRE leadership, along with senior leaders from USFS, Washington State, and US Armed Services, gave incredibly important contributions”. — John Longhurst, CEO, Tangent Link aerialfiremag.com | AF 31
As with previous events, the show culminated in the Walt Darren Aerial Firefighting award presented to Mike Lynn of Conair for his decades of service and dedication to developing pilots within the industry. The award was presented by members of the Darren family, along with presenter and AerialFire contributor Dan Reese, at the gala dinner held at the Town and Country on Tuesday the 23rd of March. As with previous years’ events, the sentiment from attendees was one of gratitude that the show had finally returned stateside once again to allow for another year of sharing AF 32 | aerialfiremag.com
of ideas, round table discussions that provide needed resources, and discussion amongst agencies that may not otherwise share experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in the field with each other. Unlike other years where the show rotates between the United States and Europe, 2022 will see the addition of a combined aerial firefighting and search and rescue show held by Tangent Link May 18-20 in France, supported by the French Government to be held at the Sécurité Civile base in Nîmes.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 33
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
AeroBrigham Integrates Garmin GI 275 Technology Cockpit connectivity can also be accomplished through WiFi® and Bluetooth® technology.
AF 34 | aerialfiremag.com
North Texas based aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, AeroBrigham has announced the recent installation of the newly released Garmin GI 275 electronic instrumentation into the Air Tractor Fire Boss AT802A/B amphibious scooper air tanker. The integration of the new technology will result in improved safety, reliability, and reduced pilot workload. Specifically, the new electronic ADI and HSI can remain fully functional during abrupt maneuvering or significant aircraft attitude changes that can uncage competitor equipment. This is a result of the air data, attitude, and heading reference system (ADAHRS) driven display that replaces the antiquated mechanical attitude indicator, with no instrument panel face modification required. An integrated one-hour battery backup is also standard.
Additional benefits of this technology include multifunction display capability for traffic mapping, weather, terrain and more. Cockpit connectivity can also be accomplished through WiFi® and Bluetooth® technology. AeroBrigham is scheduled to provide the Garmin GI 275 updates for several Air Tractor Fire Boss airframes this year at their facility in Decatur, Texas just north of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. AeroBrigham is also integrating a comprehensive heads up display (HUD) for the Fire Boss series amphibious scooper air tanker. This capability utilizes selectable Flight data and information such as thermal imaging that can be presented on the HUD.
THE MOST ECONOMICAL AERIAL FIREFIGHTING SOLUTION
SEE US AT AFF SEARCH & RESCUE, MAY 18-20, NIMES, FRANCE
Contact Stephen Johnson, Global Sales Director (651) 328-7667 or sjohnson@firebossllc.com
firebossllc.com aerialfiremag.com | AF 35
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Water Enhancers Offer Additional Boost By Bill Schuster Over the past several decades, agencies charged with providing protection from wildfires have been upgrading their aerial fleets of both airtankers and helicopters, with increased payload as the goal and measure of effectiveness. If the primary mission of fire suppression aircraft was to haul cargo, this would make sense. The goal should be to have aircraft deliver the greatest volume, of the most effective suppressant, in the least amount of time. The use of ‘enhanced’ water instead of non-enhanced water significantly improves the performance of aircraft. The timeliness, volume and effectiveness of the suppressant delivered should be the new measure.
operational utilization and tactical contribution of aerial firefighting resources that have the ability to deliver water and wildland fire chemicals in support of incident objectives. Some takeaways from these reports include: •
Rapid turn-arounds with scoopers and helicopters have proven to control wildfires quicker by responding to realtime changes in fire activity due to the short turnaround times and on-scene durability.
•
Traditional use of large airtankers and Type I helicopters could take on a new role on high-hazard days and become more effective if they are deployed within the initial few hours of detection in combination with Type 2 & Type 3 helicopters and/or scoopers
•
For direct attack, the efficiency and effectiveness of large airtankers and aircraft configured with onboard injection systems can be enhanced if water enhancers are used instead of retardant or water only.
Agencies who are open-minded about adopting proven advancements in aerial firefighting exercise due diligence in decision making as budgets and appropriations increase for protection from wildfire. Advancements in water enhancer technology offer new options for supporting ground firefighters. The delivery of more effective suppressants increases both safety and efficiency. Reducing the amount of flight time on individual fires that not only saves money but increases safety as it reduces the amount of time that pilots are required to fly in a low-level, smokey, and often-times congested airspace over large fires. In addition to risk management considerations and cost savings on individual fires, the value of the fleet is increased since aircraft are available to engage in multiple fires during the same burning period. Delivery systems, such as those that allow on-board injection of liquid concentrates, also significantly increase effectiveness since every load delivered contains enhanced water. Aggressive initial attack with aerial resources has proven to keep fires small and less threatening. Two studies have provided insight into modern-day aerial firefighting: RAND Report Goal - To determine the composition of a fleet of airtankers, scoopers, and helicopters that would minimize the total social costs of wildfires, including the cost of large fires and aircraft costs. Aerial Firefighting Use and Effectiveness (AFUE) Study Mission Statement - To systematically document the AF 36 | aerialfiremag.com
Several aircraft are configured with onboard injection systems and are currently in use throughout the USA, including Fire Boss, helicopters, and SEATs. These systems are also used extensively in Fire Boss, helicopters, and large airtankers in Australia. They allow every load delivered to contain enhanced water, significantly increasing aircraft effectiveness. The USFS has recently expressed interest in conducting future testing and evaluation of onboard systems in helicopters. It was recently announced in California that the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) helicopters, two CH-47s, and one S-61, in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties, will be delivering BLAZETAMER380 from on-board systems. In a recent survey of pilots and Air Attack Officers who have combined experience in using BLAZETAMER380 on over 300 wildfires in the USA, and Air Attack stated, that combining onboard injection with the use of water enhancers will greatly enhance the effectiveness of aircraft. This use will certainly not replace traditional aerial resources and the need for retardant but will certainly make the combined fleet more valuable. It is time to change the measure of effective wildfire air operations. The volume and effectiveness of the suppressant delivered should be the new goal.
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
A New Era for Air Attack
Bridger Aerospace stepping to the next chapter in air attack platforms. “The wind shifted suddenly, turning a small, contained fire into an inferno,” Barrett Farrell, Part 135 Chief Pilot at Bridger Aerospace, said. “We’d been over the fire for about four hours when the wind suddenly shifted and took the fire in a new direction. Being the only air attack available in the area, we didn’t have much choice but to stay. Things got even worse when a voice came on the radio saying an aircraft had gone down nearby. So, instead of turning back for fuel, we headed to the downed aircraft. We were calling in resources and talking with the ground crews until we knew everyone made it out safe. After a grueling 5.4 hours over the fire, we finally landed. And amazingly, we still had two hours of fuel when we touched down. We would have cut it close to running out of fuel with most aircraft. I’m just glad we were in a Kodiak.” Aerial firefighting is an ever-changing industry. Older aircraft that were once critical in the success of fighting fires are slowly transitioning out. Although these aircraft have bragging rights to an impressive firefighting history, they eventually must give way to newer, more modern assets. “We are stepping into the next chapter of air attack platforms,” said Darren Wilkins, COO of Bridger Aerospace. “The military and airlines consistently retire older aircraft and modernize their fleet. We are doing this within our air attack mission to better support and equip our pilots and better serve those we are trying to protect. In 2020, we added four Daher Kodiak K-100 aircraft to our air attack, aerial firefighting fleet. For the 2022 fire season, we are adding the Pilatus PC-12 to enhance our capabilities as fires start earlier and burn hotter and longer.” The 40-year-old platforms Bridger Aerospace has been flying for several years are becoming more challenging to support and operate. Modern aircraft, such as the Daher Kodiak-100 and Pilatus PC-12, offer OEM support. Jeff MacLean, Director of Maintenance for Bridger Aerospace, stated, “Utilizing the Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines across all Kodiak and PC-12 platforms makes it far simpler to train mechanics and service aircraft inAF 38 | aerialfiremag.com
field. The Kodiak and PC-12 have fewer inspection requirements and demand less downtime for maintenance. Being newer aircraft, they also have fewer unscheduled maintenance events in-field.” This high level of reliability allows the aircraft to be serviced and available for contract for more days. Tanner Hackbush, an A&P Mechanic for air attack, stated, “Last fire season, we never had any serious issues with the Kodiaks. They were almost always operational, and it was easily handled when we did have an issue.” Adopting the Kodiak in 2020 was an essential step for Bridger in modernizing its fleet. “Unlike most air attack platforms, it can handle backcountry flying and offers remarkable STOL performance,” said Ryan Cleveland, Assistant Chief Pilot. “Above a fire, it can maintain the fuel efficiency required to loiter 6 to 7 hours. It offers improved visibility over a fire and an impressive reliability rating (not to mention the strong air conditioning).” Bridger Aerospace is continuing its trend of fleet modernization to include the Pilatus PC-12, which can operate at an equivalent speed to a Turbine Commander. The reliability rating of its 1,200 horsepower PT6A-67B turboprop is among the best in its class. Its pressurized, spacious interior maximizes comfort and utility in-flight while improving visibility. Tyler Kern, Assistant Director of Operations for Bridger, stated, “We have developed an all-new avionics modification for the PC-12 with a full Garmin suite, including three FM radios and updated autopilot. We expect it to set the standard for PC-12 avionics in aerial firefighting.” Modernization is a positive change for the industry. Older aircraft are passing the torch and opening opportunities for advancement. Operating newer platforms will ensure the right aircraft are ready and available to fly when needed. As the industry grows, airplanes such as the Kodiak and PC-12 will continue to set the standard for fleet modernization. However, “Companies like Bridger Aerospace would not be where we are today without our older, legacy aircraft,” said K Mita, Director of Marketing.
MISSION READY FIRE SEASON 2022 AIR ATTACK: K-100, PC-12, AC-90 | DIRECT ATTACK: CL-415EAF | TRAINING: DHC-6-300 aerialfiremag.com | AF 39
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
IAB Issues Full Approval of Air Tractor Gen III FRDS Firegate Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch announced April 25th, 2022, that the Air Tractor Gen III Fire Response Delivery System (FRDS) has received full approval from the Interagency Airtanker Board (IAB). This follows a 12-month testing, inspection, and field evaluation process. The firegate received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration April 1, 2020. “We are quite pleased to receive approval of the Gen III FRDS for single engine air tankers such as the AT-802F and 802F Fire Boss,” says Hirsch. “Air Tractor has been building and supporting state of the art, constant flow rate firefighting systems for AT802F aircraft since 1992, with more than 350 firefighting aircraft delivered around the world. This is a well-proven firegate system that brings the latest
AF 40 | aerialfiremag.com
innovations, advanced features, and capabilities to aerial firefighters.” The Gen III FRDS has already seen extensive use in the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia following IAB interim approval in April 2020. Dauntless Air installed the first Gen III FRDS on airframe N8522Q in support of the STC process. Wipaire/Fire Boss and aerial firefighting company Aerotech have also used the Gen III firegate on their aircraft since early 2020. Fred Fahey Aerial Services, Kennedy Aviation, and Field Air and others have operated the allelectric Gen III firegate for the past three fire seasons in Australia. The extensive update to the FRDS system includes more than 280 lbs. (127 kg.) of weight reduction, all-electric operation, 25%+ more flow than the Gen II FRDS, integrated AFF tracking/ATU telemetry
system, integrated foam injection control, and much simpler operation than previous systems. Operators and fire agencies report the precise constant-flow operation, high flow rate capability, and the lighter weight of the system provide significant advantages over other firegate systems. The Gen III FRDS has the broadest range of flow capability available, enabling very dense applications at coverage level 8. At coverage level 0.5 it produces 2,200 feet (670 meters) of ground line — the most ground line per gallon of retardant of any firegate. The Gen III FRDS is standard equipment for Air Tractor AT-802F and AT-802AF single engine air tankers. A retrofit kit is also available for earlier FRDS models and AT-802 agricultural aircraft.
FROST FLYING INC. Your
STRIKE Dealer!
Compro AGRINAUTICS WeathAero
Garrett Frost 3393 Hwy 121 West Marianna, AR 72360
Corrosion X Breckenridge
870-295-6213
Parts 870-295-6218 Tel 870-295-6213 Fax 870-295-6674 parts@frostflying.com aerialfiremag.com | AF 41
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
“
I look forward
to working with our customers to enhance the buyer experience and provide operational insight that will help our clientele sustain and grow their business. — Rick Turner
Rick Turner Joins Neal Aircraft Neal Aircraft announced on March 23rd, 2022 that Rick Turner has joined Neal Aircraft, effective March 14, 2022. Most recently Mr. Turner had retired from Air Tractor as VicePresident of Operations. Mr. Turner has over 34 years of experience in leading departments and operations for a world premier agricultural aviation company. In his role, he was responsible for the implementation of the E-Coat process, including developing and executing initiatives in shaping the production process, technology, product development and addressing the needs of the customers. Mr. Turner began his aviation career in the wing assembly area, as his career progressed, he was exposed to every area in the production cycle. “Rick has a long-standing history with the Neal family. The Neal Aircraft family believes that Rick is the ideal person to help lead Neal Aircraft to the next chapter of growth and success,” said Robert Neal, President of Neal Aircraft. “We have always been impressed by his strong track record of execution, operational excellence and developing teams that drive results. Rick has consistently delivered high results during periods of industry disruption, consumer change and
AF 42 | aerialfiremag.com
technological advancements. He is a world-class leader, and we are excited to welcome him to the Neal Family.” “I am honored to join the Neal Aircraft family,” said Mr. Turner. “In my previous experience with Air Tractor, I developed a deep appreciation for what makes being part of the dealer network so special. Neal Aircraft’s success has always been rooted in its passion for aviation and their family of customers. I look forward to working with our customers to enhance the buyer experience and provide operational insight that will help our clientele sustain and grow their business. I will focus on business strategies, face to face customer interactions, and help deliver on Neal Aircraft’s commitment to bringing value and service to every customer. Neal Aircraft is an Air Tractor dealer with 75 years of aviation experience located in Slaton, Texas at the Larry T. Neal Municipal Airport. Founded in 1946 as Wes-Tex Aircraft located at the Lubbock Municipal Airport in Lubbock, Texas. Neal Aircraft connects buyers and sellers of agricultural and fire aircraft. Neal Aircraft is dedicated to providing exceptional service and value to their family customers.
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
TracPlus Appoints Tim Lynskey as New Chief Executive New Zealand tracking company TracPlus announced on February 28th, 2022, that it has appointed Tim Lynskey as their new Chief Executive Officer. Tim takes on the role after 15-months as TracPlus' Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and at a pivotal time for the company as it continues the commercialisation of its wildfire response software, TracPlus Cloud. During Tim’s time as CRO, he has been instrumental in stabilising TracPlus and steering it through to a profitable recovery after COVID-19 disruptions in the aviation sector derailed projected growth. Prior to joining TracPlus Tim has spent three decades in leading successful sales teams in New Zealand and internationally. His specific knowledge in the data analytics, tracking, and
emergency management markets enable a ‘bigger-picture’ approach to leading the company to being the global market leader in the wildfire response management market. Tim says that in the past the company has adopted a broader strategy which meant the focus was spread too thinly but he’s excited to accelerate TracPlus' growth by narrowing the strategic focus and delivering solutions that directly benefit the people who depend on us. “Going forward, TracPlus will be laser-focused on delivering world-class solutions to the wildfire market. We will build on our expertise as worldleaders in real-time location data, and develop additional services that provide situational awareness, tactical support, and insights to customers to help them
increase their efficiency and keep their people and equipment safe,” says Tim. To underpin TracPlus' customer-centric approach, Tim is undertaking a fourweek worldwide trip in March 2022 to get out and meet customers face-toface and learn how TracPlus can deliver even more value to their operations.
40 aerialfiremag.com | AF 43
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Innovative Australian Design Helping To Fight Fires All Over The World By Jennifer Swaine As a qualified engineer and helicopter pilot who had faced off against many bushfires, Jason Schellaars understood the limitations of firefighting tanks on the market at the time. That understanding, coupled with his engineering background, would lead Schellaars to Found Helitak to create a solution that would help helicopter pilots drop large loads of water onto bushfires in a controllable and precise manner. As he saw it, there were two issues that, if solved, would increase the effectiveness of water delivery on fires from helicopters during firefighting operations. The first problem was associated with the limited space a helicopter has beneath the belly of the helicopter and where AF 44 | aerialfiremag.com
the skids contact the ground, which meant that a traditional underbelly fire tank could only carry the water the tank could hold. Yet many of the helicopters Schellaars was flying at the time had weight and balance potential to carry a far greater load. As Schellaars set about finding a solution that would allow a helicopter to carry more water, he also solved the second problem on his list. Flat tanks quickly ran out of ‘head pressure,’ which meant controlling the drop became a challenge. Over the ensuing years, Jason developed the Helitak expandable fire suppression tank, which solves both issues for helicopter operators engaged in fighting fires.
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
The expandable section of the tank, made of heavy-duty PVC vinyl, is tucked away safely behind the door assembly of the main unit until needed when filling. A specially designed pump and snorkel allow a tank filling to complete in less than 48 seconds, and the pilot can then quickly direct the water to where it is needed. The tank’s funnel ‘trapezoidal’ shape design provides head pressure or mechanical force so that the full force of the water can be dropped with controlled precision every time. Helitak commenced operations from its base of operations in Queensland, Australia, in 2006, and the efficiency and reliability of its tanks have not gone unnoticed. The company has won a stable of awards and, more recently, secured two FAA STC approvals. “Following rigorous testing in California in 2020, the Helitak FT4500 UH60 Black Hawk fire suppression tank was
awarded an FAA STC in 2021. In March 2022, FAA STC Certification was awarded to the Helitak FT4250 Super Puma fire tank,” said Schellaars. “The advantage of our tanks is that they are lightweight, offer large Type 1 water volume capacity, and have easy plug-and-play operations that deliver a perfect and controllable drop pattern every time. Organizations tasked with fighting fires know and trust our tanks to get the job done quickly and efficiently. “It is great to see what we have created over the last 16 years. We have firmly established ourselves as an aerial firefighting design and manufacturing company, recognized for our innovative retractable design that maximizes head pressure and delivers high volumes of water and retardant in an unmatched drop pattern. I could not be prouder,” Schellaars added. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 45
The team now designs and develops fire tanks for the Airbus H125/AS350 AStar/Squirrel, the Bell Medium range, the Bell 214B and 214ST, the Sikorsky UH60/S70 Black Hawk, and the Airbus Super Puma airframes. But it doesn’t stop there for the Helitak team. Earlier this year, they entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Milestone Aviation Group to collaborate on the design, production, testing and certification of a new aerial fire suppression tank for the Sikorsky S-92 airframe. They have also recently partnered with Arista Aviation and Seaview Aviation to assist with US sales, installations, service, and maintenance of their expandable aerial fire tanks. Helitak now exports its tanks worldwide, including Europe, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and South America. “The growth we are experiencing is testimony to our team’s dedication, who each plays an integral role in the design and manufacture of each tank. We have built a great team, and we are all proud that the work we do saves lives, animals, and the environment worldwide,” Schellaars said. AF 46 | aerialfiremag.com
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Helitak FT4250 Super Puma Fire Tank Awarded FAA STC Certification On the back of their announcement late last year that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had approved seven additional Sikorsky Black Hawk Type Certificates on the Helitak FT4500 Black Hawk STC, Helitak have now received certification for the Super Puma Fire Tank.
CEO and Founder of Helitak, Jason Schellaars said, “The advantage of our tanks is that they are lightweight, offer large Type 1 water volume capacity and have easy plug-and-play operations that deliver a perfect and controllable drop pattern every time.”
In 2019, European rotary operator ‘Heli Austria’ reached out to Helitak in a bid to fast-track the development of the Helitak FT4250 Super Puma fire tank. And while the pandemic delayed the process, three years of hard work has come to fruition with FAA issuing a Supplemental Type Certificate last week (Certification No: SR04509CH).
The STC Certification project was overseen and managed by U.S. Technical (Aviation Products, Services, Engineering & Certification) based in Southern California. In addition to continuing to work with Helitak on a number of projects, U.S. Technical will be the Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) house for this product.
An Australian aerial firefighting design and manufacturing company, Helitak have been specialising in rotary aircraft fire suppressions systems for over a decade and their tanks are widely recognised for their innovative retractable design that maximises head pressure and delivers high volumes of water and retardant in an unmatched drop pattern.
The Super Puma tank offers a plug-and-play underbelly tank that can be installed or removed in less than 25 minutes, requires no costly aircraft modifications and is the only external Super Puma tank offering 1000 gallon+ capacity.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 47
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Maximizing the Mission: Comfort and Safety through Innovation Whether you’re flying a wildland firefighting mission, an agricultural mission, or any mission for that matter, pilots and crews need a helmet that provides comfort, safety, and innovation. With a Paraclete helmet, customers get all three, plus the assurance that each helmet has exceeded the Department of Interior [DOI] United States Forest Service [USFS] civilian aviation helmet standard for rotor- and fixed-wing, in the company’s evidencedbased designed Aegis-D and Aspida-D Type 1 and 2 helmets. Paraclete is the only manufacturer to offer DOI-certified helmets in every size, S-XXL. Refer to the DOI’s website to review the extensive listing of Paraclete helmet certifications: https://www.doi.gov/aviation/safety/ helmet.
Exceeding the Expectation Setting a higher standard in helmet manufacturing, Paraclete’s Aegis™ [ee-jis, ‘protection’] D Type 1 helmet and its Aspida™ [a-speed-a, ‘shield’] Type 1, and its Aspida Carbon helmet, represent the industry’s lightweight helmets, and the evidence-based research testing standards: •
Aspida™ RWH
•
Aspida™ Carbon RWH
•
Aspida™ FXW
•
Aegis™ RWH
•
Aspida™ FXW
•
Testing Standards
with wireless voice communication solutions featuring audio clarity, noise reduction, sound quality, with the mobility and adaptability of reconfiguration options for civilian and military aviation. “As a primary driver in business, innovation must be qualified to confirm its overall value, ” said Paraclete CEO and Founder Scott Hedges. “While we continue to enhance the value of our helmet product line, we look for those relationships that support our core tenets comfort, innovation and safety. We found that value with GlobalSys and the expanding wireless communications technology delivering an asset that crews need to ensure efficient operations.” GlobalSys CEO Dominique Retali, said, “Our systems have the highest sound quality, which is of great importance for all operators. The advanced technology with our mobile unit Airlink 3085 provides the option to reconfigure to adapt to multiple aircraft and mission types in less than five minutes. The on-board network blocks out noise to ensure clear communications and without the wires obstructing movement in the aircraft, whether in the pilot’s seat or conducting a rescue mission 50 feet below the aircraft.” Glendale Police Department [GPD] Glendale, CA, police officer Patrick Hamblin said, “In addition to the noise canceling feature, we chose the Aspida Carbon specifically for its light weight while still providing the required safety levels. It was important to each of the pilots and tactical flight officers that we find a lightweight helmet that would also protect our hearing, and we found all of that with the Aspida Carbon.”
Paraclete’s increasing presence into new markets to build strategic partnerships through federal and state agencies, global law enforcement agencies, national HEMS industry relationships, and an exclusive agreement with the federal military aviation research organization,the U.S. Army Aviation Research Laboratory [USAARL].
We tested helmets from a variety of different companies, but after testing the Aspida Carbon, our unit unanimously decided on Paraclete. We are very pleased with both the quality of the product, and Paraclete’s timely and helpful customer service, said Hamblin.
In its continued global expansion, Paraclete’s recent collaboration with the wireless communications solutions manufacturer in France, GlobalSys, provides customers
As an industry advocate on safety, Paraclete, which means ‘advocate,’ conducts Aviation Life Support Equipment [ALSE] Level II Certified Maintenance
AF 48 | aerialfiremag.com
Lifting Safety to a Higher Level
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Training to ensure customers know how to use their helmet with the utmost safety. With Hedges at the helm, the core focus is safety not just during the mission, but before, during and after each mission. An example of the company’s innovation in safety and comfort, Paraclete’s Aspida and Aegis helmets come complete with its paradigm-shifting Kairos™ retention assembly, which provides stability for the helmet, especially when using night vision goggles [NVG], allowing users to remove their counter-weight bags to reduce the amount of weight, ultimately decreasing the potential for neck and back injuries associated with excessive helmet weight. Emily LaPlant, RRT-Flight Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Team, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital said, “I really like the new helmets. I used to always get headaches and my neck would hurt with my old helmet. I recently went on a very long flight while wearing my new Paraclete helmet and when I was finished, my head didn’t hurt and neither did my neck.” “To be fitted properly, the helmet should allow for the differences in each unique head shape,” said Carlos Andino, Paraclete’s Business Development Director. “For a helmet to fit properly, the nape must be tight just below the occipital [bump] region. The result is a lightweight, comfortable helmet that is also safe.”
Maximizing the Mission As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer, Paraclete’s three core tenets — comfort, safety and innovation — serve as the company’s foundation. It is through Paraclete’s innovations that led to the company’s creation and application of several industry ‘firsts,’ such as the Kairos™ Retention Assembly with the adjustable Boa® Closure System, Fidlock® Magnetic Buckle, the Nephos™ Comfort Liner, the TruC™ Ear Seals, and optically clear MIL-V-43511D Paraclete NearArc® lenses. Joshua Chan, Flight Paramedic, Life Link III, said, “The Paraclete helmet has been a great resource in my role as a flight paramedic. The design, functionality, and durability allow me to perform life-saving care wh “Helmets need to be comfortable, but not at the expense of safety,” said Hedges. “Safety isn’t a comfort feature on a helmet; safety is a culture. The helmet is part of the crews’ uniform and must function properly to the point of comfort.
“The Aspida-D helmet is lightweight and very comfortable. We especially like the magnetic helmet buckle and the helmet’s microphone. All in all, it’s also a great-looking helmet,” said Deputy George DeLuca, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit. Check out the paracletelifesupport.com/product/aspidahelicopter-helmet/ with the DISCOUNT CODE: Comfort Helmet. Aa committed member of Helicopter Association International [HAI], Association of Air Medical Services [AAMS], Airborne Public Safety Association [APSA], and National Business Aviation Association [NBAA], Paraclete Aviation Life Support continually provides associations with data and critical research in the spirit of a safer rotor industry for all. Paraclete Aviation Life Support is the only civilian aviation helmet manufacturer that is solely focused on the research, design, development, and manufacturing of civilian aviation helmets. Paraclete Aviation Life Support provides worldwide service to clients in 28 different countries, including Europe, South America and Asia, and is headquartered in Clarksville, TN.
MISSION WORK IS TOUGH. When you’re flying a firefighting mission, you need a helmet that DIALS in the COMFORT. The ASPIDA-D is the only DOI/USFS certified helmet to pass testing in every size.
SAFE ASSOCIATION
For more info about Paraclete helmets visit ParacleteLifeSupport.com or contact 931.274.7947 / Sales@ParacleteLifeSupport.com.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 49
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Air Tractor Europe, Home of the Air Tractor in Europe Since 1996 It has been a difficult year for trade shows. The COVID 19 pandemic, which is still present today, changed the agenda of most events in all sectors. Aerial Fire Fighting Expo, the biennial event usually held in Nimes, France, had to move in 2021 to Tallinn, Estonia. However, many companies did not give up and remained committed to the event. Air Tractor Europe was one of those companies, betting on a particularly meaningful event for both exhibitors and attendees, demonstrating a sense of unity and commitment to the defense of forests and the environment in an increasingly complex wildfire landscape. “Aerial firefighting is an immeasurable challenge. Fires are now much more intense and virulent, because of climate change. The abandonment of rural areas, as well as less control over natural sites, have made fires much more difficult to extinguish. That is why our task is more important than ever, and therefore our commitment to firefighting,” said Rafael Selma, CEO of Air Tractor Europe. For this reason, the best resources are needed, as well as better preparation and training of the professionals involved. Air Tractor Europe is the official dealer of the American aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor Inc, since 1996. It offers its services in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The large structure of their corporate group allows them to provide comprehensive services in consulting, sales, maintenance, training, certification, and aircraft operation in more than 25 countries. For more than 20 years, the Air Tractor AT-802F has served with distinction on the front lines of wildfires around the world. This aircraft is an efficient combination of agility, performance, and costeffectiveness. Its versatile nature enables it to operate in extraordinary AF 50 | aerialfiremag.com
situations where other firefighting aircraft would be of far less use. With a 3,100 liter (820 US gal) capacity, the water tank is appreciated in aerial firefighting circles as an easy and powerful aircraft to fly. Whenever fire fighting contractors and government agencies see the AT-802F in action, they recognize it as a valuable asset in their fire fighting arsenal, not just for the initial attack, but also as a support for ground personnel. Aware of the threat posed by the new and increasingly abundant 6th generation fires, as well as the need to modernize fire fighting techniques, this year, with Aerial Fire Fighting Nimes 2022, Air Tractor Europe’s commitment is even greater. The company says it is particularly excited about this year’s event. They are participating in the event alongside Wipaire, the wellknown manufacturer of floats for amphibious aircraft, under the Fire Boss logo. “The conversion of the AT-802 to an amphibious aircraft unleashes its full potential and multiplies the AT-802F effectiveness superlatively, said Rafael. We are looking forward to sharing this event with such important firms as Wipaire and Fire Boss. Our business relationship is already very long-lasting, and these kinds of actions are a symbol of our good cooperation.” After a few critical years of upheaval due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we believe that this year is going to be a triumphant return. Like other companies in the industry, we are looking forward to a new AFFE.” The company will be presenting the latest industry news this year, along with a new conference series and an updated version of its fire fighting guide. The guide is completely free and can be requested through the QR found on this page.
Fires are now much more intense and virulent, because of climate change.
Air Tractor Europe is located at booth number 140 at the fair.
THE HOME OF AIR TRACTOR IN EUROPE
Since 1996, Air Tractor Europe’s mission has been to offer the most advanced aerial means and technological solutions for fire fighting, agricultural work and the defense of our forests. Aircraft and spare parts sales Equipment installation Pilot and mechanic training Advanced physical and digital training materials Fire fighting and agricultural operations consultancy Aircraft maintenance and technical support Unique Air Tractor FTD Level 2 simulator in Europe
Aeródromo Vicente Huerta Carretera de Benafer s/n · CV 211 - Km 7 · 12460, Viver, Castellón · Tel: (+34) 962 654 100 www.airtractoreurope.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 51
Fire in Rio Grande Do Sul A Recurring Problem By Marcos Antonio Camargo
When I started writing this article, we were contacted for another firefighting operation in the fields of the West Frontier of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Our teams are already moving to the “operational theatre,” having already been involved in this mission for over two days. Unlike aerial fighting in the winter months in other parts of Brazil, the fires occurring during the summertime here in southern Brazil are unusual. In an article in our sister publication, AgAir Update, I wrote about the different crops covering our fields in spring. Today, except for irrigated rice fields, the predominant cover is that of dry vegetation, burned and buffeted by an intense heatwave that can bring maximums close to 50ºC/122ºF this time of year. In January, our neighbor, Argentina, faced its fourth hottest day in 115 years since the National Meteorological Service of Argentina started recording data. The drought in the South and the excess rain in the Midwest and North have led to extreme weather events. The heatwave has kept the temperature above 40ºC/104ºF in the southern states of Brazil, and according to the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of the State of Rio AF 52 | aerialfiremag.com
Grande do Sul, 159 municipalities are already in an emergency status due to the drought that started in November. Estimates put financial losses in soybean and corn crops in the order of $19.8 billion, just in this state alone.
Difficulties In Combat This problem occasionally occurs throughout the year but has started to reoccur on a more regular basis. When this happens, our agricultural aircraft are activated for firefighting duties, mainly by growers, to help contain fires to minimize the damage to fields, crops, homes and rural facilities. There have already been fires close to the city. Fighting fires in this area does not come without its challenges and problems. Inadequate runways for the operation of larger aircraft and delays in fire dispatching have made some incidents very difficult to control.
In The Beginning, It Is Always Easier A few years ago, to solve this problem, I suggested to a representative of the municipal legislature that he spearhead a project to allocate resources to combat aerial firefighting issues in the city and the countryside more effectively.
“
Unlike aerial fighting in the winter months in other parts of Brazil, the fires occurring during the summertime here in southern Brazil are unusual. ” —Marcos Antonio Camargo
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Allocations for these kinds of resources should be completed in all municipalities with agricultural aviation in their territory; however, nothing has been done to date. Despite when fires approach, some politicians have contacted us calling for emergency aircraft without predicting where the resources will come from to be able to face the problem. I pray that the issue will not be forgotten after the first rains of the season here. It is better to think about prevention for the future than to have to rebuild what the fire destroyed. Indeed, the cheapest way will always be prevention. For our part, we can’t take off without government authorization. The actions need to be defined in advance to be executed promptly. Aviation knows that the path of prevention is always the best and safest, so the maintenance of our aircraft is always carried out preventively. Aircraft, especially the larger ones because of their greater capacity and speed, are straightforward to get to fire spots and change their decision on where to attack, if the wind changes, for example. Access difficulties, such as geographic features, fences, rivers, and even construction, do not prevent us from getting to where the fire is burning very quickly in critical situations.
Unlike firefighters and ground crews formed by growers, who face many difficulties to reach the fires, we just need water and safe and adequate runways to operate larger aircraft. Our deficiency in these areas is great. We have our municipal airport, a runway that offers all security to the west of the city, but we do not have water to load the aircraft quickly. Until the water truck arrives, precious time is lost. This difficulty is repeated throughout the city. We need to create a channel between aviation and firefighters because the aircraft can overcome the intrinsic mobility difficulties of the ground crews, guiding them where the situation is most critical and needs more attention. To conclude, I suggest to politicians, public managers, and civil entities that they work on prevention and take action so that when activating aircraft, we have the resources and structure to act quickly. We are always ready, as we have always been, for the promotion and protection of agriculture and livestock, the basis of the economy of our municipality, and for Brazil. The situation we face in Brazil currently reminds me of the famous quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein. aerialfiremag.com | AF 53
Aerial Firefighting Europe 2022
Dialing Up Mission Possible Questions and Answers with Smith Myers Mobile phone beacons potential to play a key role in aerial fire rescue Aerial Fire interviewed Peter Myers, co-founder of awardwinning cellular communications designers Smith Myers, currently celebrating 35 years as pioneers of engineering disruptive technology solutions. Founded in 1987 by Tony Smith and Peter Myers, the pioneering innovators have focused on designing disruptive technology for Network Operators, Government Agencies, Law Enforcement, Military, and Search and Rescue organizations. The successful business model includes partnering with aircraft and ground-based vehicle OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and integrators, including some of the world’s largest organizations. AF 54 | aerialfiremag.com
Awards include: the Royal Aeronautical Society Silver Medal; ADS Security Innovation Awards and ICCA (International Critical Communications) Award. Q. Who is Smith Myers? A. We are a team of well-established engineers, experts in cellular communications, and avionics standards such as DO160 and MilStd 810. We are celebrating our 35th year, so we know a thing or two about this type of technology. Q. We understand Artemis is having great success with Search and Rescue missions in many parts of the world. What do you think it can offer the Aerial Fire Fighting community?
A. Artemis offers a facility to detect, locate and broadcast messages to people on the ground in areas of no or little cell coverage, possibly warning them of changing weather conditions. Q. Would the operator need to know their mobile number? A. No Artemis can send a text message to any mobile responding to its signal. Artemis acts as a self-contained mobile cell tower, it could even be used to update firefighters on the ground if there was a problem with their primary comms. Q. Would Artemis still be able to locate mobile phones in areas of dense smoke? A. Artemis can detect, locate and communicate to any responding phone. The location is calculated as a lat and long and is displayed on the embedded mapping or communicated to any mission system. Q. Could the system be used for situational awareness, possibly on the ground? A. Yes if there was an I.P. link from the aircraft to the ground, then the ground would get the same picture as displayed in the aircraft. Q. How much space does this equipment take, some firefighting platforms don’t have much room? A. The Artemis system only requires two antennas mounted on the underside of the aircraft. There are a number of enclosure/power options, but the optimal one for this application would be about the size of a hardbacked book and weighing 1.4kg. (just over 3lbs) Any available screen with a web browser can be used for the user interface. aerialfiremag.com | AF 55
Fighting Fires for Farmers in the Brazilian Midwest
View of a fire in a plantation in the Brazilian Cerrado, in the state of Goiás. The Textor family has been leading aerial firefighting in the region for 15 years.
Operating agricultural aircraft for more than three decades, Aerotex is a company that is at the forefront of the aerial firefighting and ag aviation industry in Brazil. Located in Montividiu, Brazil, the Textor family started fighting fires fifteen years ago, initially in state parks and other forest reserves. Tiago Textor started his aviation career in his father's footsteps, Beto, one of Brazil's leading aerial application pilots. In the last four years, Aerotex has changed the dynamics of aerial firefighting and agricultural operations in Brazil. The company created two aerial firefighting brigades that provide services to sugarcane mills, rural producers, and agribusiness companies, aiming this business model at protecting rural operations and AF 56 | aerialfiremag.com
properties. Aerotex has also formed partnerships with several regional municipalities that allow the company to perform operations in preservations and other public domains. Tiago Textor, the family's second-generation pilot in the field, gives us some details about the structuring of his operation. Tiago and his crews recently fought a large fire in a plantation in Cerrado, Brazil, in Goiás. "When we set up our first brigade, we surveyed prospective clients and sought out those interested. At the time of instituting the first brigade, we foresaw a fixed cost, which was shared among all the participants. The variable costs (per flight hour) were then paid by those who needed the service".
Aerial firefighting operation carried out by Aerotex. The company is responsible for bringing together farmers, private companies and municipalities to contract on fires.
To succeed in private aerial firefighting operations in Brazil, the company promotes itself to the local market by bringing together farmers, private companies, and municipalities to contract the service. The Textor family flies Cessna, Air Tractor, and Thrush aircraft. "We've been working for a long time, and we've seen effectiveness even with these smaller planes, including the Cessnas. Of course, this only works on certain types of fires. It's no use wanting to fight fires in native vegetation, dense forests, or in a more advanced fire with a small aircraft. However, they meet the demand in smaller fires very well. The importance of flight and business experience in the aerial firefighting market (especially with smaller aircraft)
in Brazil is paramount, says Tiago. "We have seen many operations done wrong, which leads to unsafe operations, lack of efficiency, and denigrating the entire industry. Training is crucial for any pilot who wants to perform aerial firefighting operations, but especially for those who will work with small aircraft, which have a smaller volume". The company stands out for using smaller aircraft, with a large fleet of Cessnas equipped for firefighting. Tiago also stated that, despite the severe drought in 2021, aerial firefighting work was more effective, and there were fewer outbreaks, with a more controlled fire season. ➤ aerialfiremag.com | AF 57
Part of the Aerotex fire brigade. The company stands out for using smaller aircraft, with a large fleet of Cessnas equipped for firefighting.
Tiago Textor (right) is an agricultural pilot who follows in the footsteps of his father, Beto Textor (left), at one of Brazil’s leading aerial application companies.
"We continue to view the industry's growth with great optimism, as farmers have realized the effectiveness of aerial firefighting: with rapid activation, prepared personnel, a full hopper, and rapid response when a fire emerges, the result is a more effective mitigation that keeps our customer base safe and satisfied."
ZANONI FIRE GATES
THE BEST OPTION FOR YOUR AG AIRCRAFT
SALES@ZANONIEQUIPAMENTOS.COM.BR WWW.ZANONIEQUIPAMENTOS.COM.BR +55 44 99864 6200 / +55 44 99864 4747 AF 58 | aerialfiremag.com
SUPPRESSING WILDFIRES. SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS. For over 50 years Conair has partnered with governments on wildfire missions around the globe, operating the largest, privately owned, fixed-wing fleet in the world. The Future of Aerial Firefighting: The Dash 8-400 Airtanker Fast, fuel efficient and tactically flexible. A modern airtanker with a 10,000 litre/2,642 gallon capacity to drop suppressant over diverse geography. Setting the standard for Next Generation aircraft with OEM support to keep the firefighter flying for decades. CLICK TO WATCH THE DASH 8-400 AIRTANKER IN ACTION... Photo: Alexandre Dubath
conair.ca aerialfiremag.com | AF 59
Photo by Steve Nelson.
Neptune Aviation Pilot Training: Aircraft System and Fire Traffic Area Focused by Paul Sidenman
When Neptune Aviation Services planned to replace its legacy fleet of piston-driven Lockheed P2V Neptunes with BAe 146 regional jets, reconfigured as air tankers, the Missoula, Montana-based aerial firefighting company had to develop its own pilot training for an aircraft that was initially designed for passenger transport, and not low-level retardant dropping. With nine BAe 146 tankers currently in the fleet, and the last of its 11 former US Navy, Cold War Era P2Vs retired in 2017, Neptune’s pilot training is carried out primarily at its Missoula operating base. The exception is simulator time, of which only two locations for the BAe 146 remain, and both are off-shore. According to Chief Pilot Ryan Baer, Neptune has 35 pilots on its team but likes to train enough pilots yearly to maintain a cadre of 40. He pointed out that recruiting pilots, as well as maintainers, is Neptune’s biggest challenge. “The global pilot—and maintainer—shortage won’t disappear anytime soon,” he stressed. “Consequently, we are drawing from a very small pilot pool for training as an industry.” While these factors make pilot recruiting that much harder, Baer stressed that the company has maintained a vigorous AF 60 | aerialfiremag.com
training regime and an extensive screening process in which most applicants fail to make the cut. Each year, Neptune receives approximately 50 resumes from pilot applicants, mainly due to word of mouth through the operator’s current pilot group. “Referrals are essential to Neptune. Our pilots are a great resource for finding new hires, as is the aerial firefighting industry itself,” said Baer. “For example, a lead plane pilot might know of someone who would make a good tanker pilot and suggest that he or she speak to Neptune.” The prerequisites for consideration by Neptune are 2,000 hours of total time, of which 1,000 hours must be pilot in command and multi-engine time. A second-class FAA medical certificate is also required. Neptune, Baer reported, also looks at firefighting experience, mountain flying knowledge, and flight experience diversity. “Aerial firefighting experience makes a difference, but that is not mandatory,” he explained. “We have hired pilots from various backgrounds, including military, commercial, freight, and charter—to name a few. However, I think the fit (into our company and the mission) is more important than a specific kind of flight experience.”
Neptune’s chief pilot stands atop one of Neptune Aviation’s tankers. Photo by Photo by Keely M. Flatow.
Steve Nelson.
The Chief Pilot and the Flight Administrator will peruse the resumes and choose the initial candidates. Those selected for further interest are then referred to a group of current Neptune air tanker pilots, who will contact the applicants for an initial interview by phone. On average, maybe 16 are contacted for the phone interview.
added that of the roughly ten candidates contacted for the phone interview, about six make it to the onsite interview, which is carried out over a few days with Neptune’s Chief Pilot, Flight Administrator, and a current pilot. “All three interviewers play an important role in the selection process,” Baer said.
“During the phone interview, which several Initial Attack Captains conduct, the potential new hire is learning as much about Neptune as we are learning about the candidate,” Baer noted. “We stress that piloting a larger air tanker is a unique experience, and the job isn’t right for everyone – not just in terms of skill or the mission, but the lifestyle. You never know where you will go or end up on any day. That is why the phone interview is an important learning experience for everyone. It helps us determine if the candidate will be a good fit with the rest of the pilot group.”
When the pilot candidate arrives for the in-person interview, they will have a working knowledge of Neptune’s history, flight procedures, and aerial firefighting. “The interviews help us learn about their skills and how they would fit with the Neptune team,” Baer explained. “The in-person interview process is critical to hiring new pilots at Neptune.”
Baer pointed out that phone conversation plays a considerable role in determining if the candidate will be invited to a formal in-person interview. “We don’t invite someone to a face-to-face meeting without our being very interested in learning more about them. Before inviting them for a face-to-face interview, we already know about a pilot’s flight experience, hours, and job history.” He
Another component of the screening process is a simulatorbased evaluation of the pilot’s instrument abilities, decisionmaking, and stick and rudder skills. The evaluation, which uses a Citation, takes place at SimCheck International near Sacramento, California. Baer reported that roughly 70 percent of those who make it to the formal interview process are selected for training and put on the payroll. While the number varies by staffing needs, roughly four candidates are selected for initial training by the end of the screening process. ➤ aerialfiremag.com | AF 61
Neptune’s Tanker 02 arrives home in Missoula, Montana. Photo by Steve Nelson
As Baer explained, BAE Systems provided support for the pilot training program with the flight manuals and much of the basic operational flight information, which was readily available. Neptune then needed to translate that information to apply to aerial firefighting, including the unique nature of operations in a fire traffic area (FTA). “Every one of our air tanker pilots has been trained to operate in the FTA and knows what altitudes and directions to orbit,” said Baer. “It is essential for a pilot to have multitasking skills since operating within the FTA means dropping retardant at an altitude of 150 feet above the ground—often in mountainous terrain—under conditions that combine poor visibility from heavy smoke and bad turbulence.” He stated that those conditions are considered normal within the FTA and are a dynamic and challenging part of the job. “At the same time, flight crews might be communicating on as many as three radios while maintaining separation from other aircraft operating in the FTA,” he noted. In that regard, said Baer, pilots are also trained to coordinate with an air attack aircraft, which functions as an air traffic control platform when more than four aircraft are operating within an FTA. Specifically, its task is to assure separation and traffic flows of aircraft and interface with ground-based firefighting personnel to decide on the tactical means of fighting the fire. Pilot training at Neptune begins with 80 hours of classroom instruction at Missoula. Baer pointed out that the program is structured to include more in-depth systems training than is typical at some commercial airlines. “Training commences with 10-day sessions—every eight hours per day--focusing AF 62 | aerialfiremag.com
on every major aircraft system and an introduction to FTA operations, he explained. “Interim exams, as well as a final one, are all system focused.” He added that throughout the entire calendar year, pilots take online, company-assigned training, concluding with an exam. According to Baer, the ground school pass rate is almost 100 percent, thanks to small class sizes, affording near-individual instruction. Upon completion of ground school, new-hire pilots transition to simulator training at CAE’s London-Gatwick facility or at Ansett Aviation’s Melbourne, Australia, which has the only remaining full-motion simulators for the BAe 146, due to the ongoing retirement and shrinking number of the global commercial fleet. As Baer explained, the simulator training takes place over ten days, with daily four-hour sessions for 40 hours. It includes learning the basic operation of the BAe 146 aircraft— exclusive of the firefighting mission. However, as simulator training progresses, the flight scenarios become more aerial firefighting specific, and all the checklist procedures taught are what Neptune uses in its aerial firefighting operations. Neptune worked retardant training modules into the simulator training process. “That includes everything from simulating a drop on a grass fire in flat terrain to a more complex drop-in mountainous terrain. We try to cover everything a pilot could encounter during a busy fire season. At the same time, the training encompasses precision and non-precision approaches, along with specific systemsrelated failures meant to reinforce the training received in the classroom.”
Neptune’s pilot training is administered not only in simulators but by seasoned aerial firefighting captains.
Every simulator training day concludes with a simulator check ride, and the pilots are graded on how they performed that day. “The evaluation is a Type Ride or 61.58. We try to cover actual conditions that Neptune, other BAe pilots, or other aerial firefighting aircraft have encountered in the real world,” said Baer. The simulator companies, Baer added, provided the visuals to the extent possible. However, he pointed out that there is some limitation to the capability of the visual system can reproduce the conditions of a firefighting environment. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting travel restrictions, both simulators were out of reach for a year, reported Baer. However, the use of a Boeing 737 simulator at the Pan Am International Flight Academy in Miami was made available and proved to be an adequate workaround. “We used that simulator for training that was not aircraft specific, such as crew resource management, wind shear, and instrument proficiency, which we also include in the BAe simulators,” he said. Now that travel restrictions to the United Kingdom have eased, Neptune has once more begun to use the CAE
simulator. While CAE and Ansett instructor pilots initially provided the simulator portion of training, Neptune now uses its training cadre of initial attack pilots and at least one BAe 146 instructor pilot on contract at CAE. ”We train to proficiency,” said Baer, who added that Neptune’s pilots essentially complete a type-rating course. “But since the simulators are outside the US and not FAA certified, a BAe 146 type rating will be earned once the pilot goes through training on the BAe 146 in the US,” he said. The airplane phase of the training takes about two to four hours before a check ride under a check airman’s supervision. The final training component is initial operating experience during real-world fireretardant dropping missions. Here the pilot begins by observing, then occupies the first officer’s seat while being supervised by a senior first officer and captain— completing Neptune’s proficiency requirements. Baer added that Neptune conducts line standard checks on as many crews as possible throughout the fire season to ensure compliance with company standards and facilitate learning. ➤ aerialfiremag.com | AF 63
Neptune’s training captains, all in place for another winter training session in Missoula, Montana.
Over the past two years, Neptune, like other aerial firefighting businesses, has confronted the twin challenges of especially bad fire seasons, overlaid with a global pandemic. Neither, explained Baer, required Neptune to make substantial changes to its pilot training. “The pandemic posed logistical challenges, but it didn’t change the scope of our training,” he stressed. “The increased severity of the fire seasons is a reminder that safety and training are of paramount importance in the aerial firefighting industry—and Neptune keeps safety at the core of its training and operations. Neptune is committed to adhering to the most stringent safety and training procedures in the aerial firefighting industry.” Also, Baer confirmed that Neptune is seeking growth in the global firefighting market, given the opportunity to utilize the AF 64 | aerialfiremag.com
longer-range ferrying capabilities of its BAe 146 fleet. “Our training will reflect the unique requirements of the countries where we could be operating and their approach to aerial firefighting,” he said. For Neptune, according to Baer, every year of operations is a learning experience in which the collective knowledge is incorporated into pilot training. “Our pilots—as a whole—have more than 35,000 hours of flight time on fires alone. We have built that collective experience into our training manual. And every year, we learn new things and share that experience with the pilots on our team,” Baer explained. “I also believe that Neptune’s hiring process has improved, as we are hiring better pilots who know the unique demands of aerial firefighting.
Simple flight data today, for a safer tomorrow. Meet your contractual requirements, effectively suppress fires, and get your team home safely with Spidertracks, your real-time flight tracking solution.
www.spider tracks.com
Foam Injection Systems Charlotte County’s Fire Suppression Innovation
When looking at examples of interagency cooperation, Charlotte County, Florida, has a standard that would make many others jealous. As an aviation unit, Charlotte County’s mission profile is more significant than many more prominent agencies with more aircraft. Yet, somehow, between the county’s Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and Mosquito control agency, they still find constant opportunities to better serve the county through their aviation unit. Chief Pilot Shane Englauf, who heads the unit, has continued to rise to the occasion every time a challenge is given. From the agency initially only providing law enforcement operations to now, years later encompassing law enforcement missions and many successful firefighting missions, plus conducting all of AF 66 | aerialfiremag.com
the county’s aerial applications to eradicate mosquitos each season. The increase in capability and aircraft is a testament to the cooperation between Englauf and other agency heads committed to making the operation work, such as Charlotte County Public Safety Director and Fire Chief Jason Fair. “The reason we got more involved in doing more with the two agencies together was the total commitment from Shane [Englauf] and his team towards making it work. Our cooperation has proven to be a force multiplier for our agency and continues to provide benefits for the county,” said Fair.
Everything about the design of the tank was thought out thoroughly by Huck, including the location of the pickup for the hose attachment being placed on the bottom rear of the tank.
One of the things fire departments do very well is provide mutual aid assistance to other agencies. Fair explained that mutual aid is handled through requests made as part of Florida’s State Emergency Response Plan. Charlotte County helicopters have often been asked to assist on several large fires. A fire in August of 2020 quickly turned into a raging inferno involving over 3500 rental cars at the Fort Myers airport. Englauf and his team were activated to assist in Lee County, located to the south of Charlotte County, spending several hours fighting the large blaze along with ground firefighters.
system would have been cost-prohibitive to accomplish Charlotte County Fire’s mission. So Englauf turned the task over to his internal team of A&P mechanics and avionics specialists Dan IJpkemeule and Nathan Huck, who also serve as crew chiefs in the field when the helicopters are tasked missions. Huck took primary responsibility for the design and construction of the system. The system took approximately two months to complete, from design to functional installation and testing. Huck designed the system using a 30-gallon Jazz Racing fuel cell tank to hold the type A firefighting foam and fabricate a relatively simple electronic relay system with switches on the switch panel and on the cyclic to inject foam into the water tank manually. The system will also switch it to automatically mix in foam agent with every tank fill, with the tank capable of adding foam to 60 tank loads before filling.
Englauf mentioned that they struggled with cars exploding when hit by water from the aircraft in a meeting between the two on capabilities and potential improvements after that fire. He suggested that they avoid fighting ground fires by using class A firefighting foam, which is water injected with the foaming agent as it is dispersed. After that conversation, it was decided to investigate the potential cost of designing and installing a foam injection system on the agency’s primary The pump used to inject the foaming agent into the tank is a firefighting helicopter, a UH-1H Huey that contained a Marco pump that, incidentally, is the same pump used by the 350-gallon water tank. county for mosquito control operations. Deciding to One use a proven product was a no-brainer for Huck. of the things Inventing New Technology The pump had already proven its worth in fire departments do While there are many foam injection operational fire use and did not suffer from very well is mutual aid systems in the aerial firefighting world, the clogging reported by many other options assistance to other agencies. purchasing an externally manufactured used in the field. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 67
Left: Charlotte County’s fire foam injection system is operated either manually via a switch on the cyclic or automatically via a switch on the main panel. Below Left: The agency’s Huey has been fitted with a removable tank and off the shelf components that kept costs and additional weight to a minimum.
Huck thought out everything about the tank’s design thoroughly, including the pickup location for the hose attachment being placed on the bottom rear of the tank. Huck’s methodology for that kind of placement was to ensure that as much foam mixer as possible can empty from the tank, and based on the 3-4º bank angle to the rear the UH-1H hovers at, that would allow the tank a little extra slope to drain into the water tank when almost empty. Because the agency is multi-mission capable, Huck also designed the system to be modular and easily removable. He describes the ability to remove the tank system with a couple of wrenches. AF 68 | aerialfiremag.com
“If we need to remove it, I need a ratchet with an extension to get to the hardware in the back, which is just two bolts on the backside and two nuts on the front side, six screws on that plate, and then a wrench to pull the fitting and then the counterpoint comes up. And then you have your whole cockpit back to moving water supplies or people or whatever you want in about 5 minutes.” Huck also explained that the design and build were based not only on ease of installation and removal but also on safety through a reduced workload. While there is still an ability to inject foam if the need arises manually, the system is designed to be a completely hands-free operation in the fireground, leaving the pilot
The system will also switch to automatically mix in foam agent with every fill of the tank, with the tank capable of adding foam to 60 tank loads before needing to be refilled. to concentrate on picking up and dropping water and other associated tasks during flight.
Due to the complexity of developing a plan from the ground up, they expected it to be much more than what it eventually cost.
The most surprising thing to note about the design and build of this specialized system that provides the significant benefit that a foam injection system does is the cost. Huck stated that, including some specialized tools that needed to be purchased for the project, the in-house team managed to design, build and install the system for just over two thousand dollars, which even surprised Fair and his team.
As seen in previous features in AerialFire and our sister publication AgAir Update on the Charlotte County Sheriff’s aviation unit, Charlotte County has proven time and time again that they are far from a ‘standard’ model aviation unit. The unit and its staff continue to think outside the box to find sometimes simple solutions to complex problems that have continued to benefit the citizens of Charlotte County. aerialfiremag.com | AF 69
Coulson Continues Night Aerial Firefighting Work in Australia By Dave Soderstrom Aerial firefighting continues to evolve rapidly worldwide, with a growing demand by various agencies to bring technology and functionality into their contracts. Australia is no different; the country’s National Aerial Firefighting Center (NAFC) is a business unit of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC.) AFAC is in charge of awarding contracts to operators within Australia looking to implement and evaluate these new technologies and have them available for Australian fire agencies. In Australia, the Victorian Government has been a leader in this field, adopting night aerial firefighting to extend the use of firebombing aircraft. Following the horrendous 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria, which claimed the lives of 173 people, Coulson Aviation took the time to evaluate its operations and undertook a study on how to operate safely and effectively at night using night vision technology consisting of night vision goggles (NVG) and infrared imagery. AF 70 | aerialfiremag.com
In 2011, the company equipped a Sikorsky S-61N and S-76 with night vision goggle technology. These two helicopters were the foundation for the program the company developed in Australia, Northern America, and Canada, proving the system worked using the two helicopters and developing and refining how to deploy the technology. In 2016, Coulson Aviation began a successful Night Fire Suppression Trial Program in partnership with Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the Victorian Government. Initiated in 2017 was a three-year trial program where Coulson, alongside Kestrel Aviation, worked with Victorian agencies to confirm the processes, procedures, and technology to operate successfully in night fire suppression operations in Victoria. Coulson used an NVGenabled Type 1 S-61 helitanker and Kestrel’s Type 2 Bell 412 helicopter. ➤
*MENTION THIS AD AND SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
*MENTION THIS *FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY AD AND SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE. *FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
WE DO IT RIGHT! We’re the small shop that’s huge on service - unsurpassed in workmanship. We’re your experts for complete service to the full line of Pratt & Whitney PT6A & PT6T Engines.
Overhaul Repair Test Cell Capabilities
For over 30 years, ISOLAIR has been manufacturing industry leading helicopter systems for the firefighting, forestry and aerial application industries. With a broad line of certified and custom For over 30 years, ISOLAIR has been manufacturing industry leading helicopter systems for the helicopter equipment, ISOLAIR has the system to fit your company’s needs. From agricultural spray firefighting, forestry and aerial application industries. With a broad line of certified and custom systems andequipment, bucket spreaders firefighting grapples torches, ISOLAIR can helicopter ISOLAIRtohas the systemsystems, to fit yourforestry company’s needs.and From agricultural spray and will do it forestry all! systems and bucket spreaders to firefighting systems, grapples and torches, ISOLAIR can With competitive pricing, quality assurance, to itinstall andeasy will do all! products, and an ongoing commitment to customer service, we welcome you to contact us.toOur friendly and and knowledgeable staff is ready to With competitive pricing, quality assurance, easy install products, an ongoing commitment answer your questions help you the ISOLAIR best meet your to customer service, weand welcome youfind to contact us. Oursystem friendlythat and will knowledgeable staff isoperational ready to answer your questions and help you find requirements. the ISOLAIR system that will best meet your operational
ISOLAIR HELICOPTER ISOLAIR HELICOPTER SYSTEMS SYSTEMS 2410 NW BURNSIDE CT.
requirements.
www.isolairinc.com
www.isolairinc.com
27600 SE HIGHWAY 212
GRESHAM, OR 97030 U.S.A. BORING, OR 97009 U.S.A. PHONE: +1 (503) 492-2105 PHONE: +1 (503) 492-2105 FAX:FAX: +1 (503) 492-2756 +1 (503) 492-2756 EMAEmail: isolairinc@gmail.com
SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR
www.southwest-airmotive.com 4801 North Tumbleweed Road • Eloy, Arizona 85131
SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE FOR MORE SMARTPHONE FOR MORE INFO INFO
520-466-7274
AIR TRACTOR® SATISFACTION
Exceptional Service, Every Time
Mefford Field TLR • Tulare, CA
Toll-Free 877-686-7401 TheValleyAirCrafts.com aerialfiremag.com | AF 71
Coulson Aviation now has five CU47D configured for aerial firefighting and is looking to increase this as the demand for the type grows across the globe. Coulson’s CU47s are deployed each year across North America, Chile, and Australia.
AF 72 | aerialfiremag.com
After completing its ‘ trials in Ballarat, the two operators gained approval with Victoria’s support to conduct nighttime firebombing operations for the 2018/2019 summer season.
In early 2022, Coulson Aviation received approval from CASA to conduct night fire suppression operations under Night Vision Goggles (NVG) in Australia using the CU-47D very large helitanker.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved Coulson Aviation and Kestrel Aviation to undertake night aerial fire suppression operations. Once the approvals were achieved, Coulson Aviation continued to develop a flying operation where the technology was employed, allowing for precision retardant drops during the night.
Before the arrival in Australia, both CH-47s had been successfully operating with the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in California, where Coulson worked in conjunction with Orange, Ventura, and LA Counties to deploy the QRF with day and night capability.
Coulson was awarded contracts for fire season 2021/2022 with New South Wales and Victorian fire agencies to supply each state with a CU-47D Chinook. In January, Chinook N40CU arrived in Australia and deployed to RAAF Richmond, with N42CU assigned to work in Victoria, deploying from Essendon Fields for its season.
With Australia’s milder season on the east coast, the NSW and Victorianbased aircraft didn’t see much work on active fires, which became a blessing for local fire agencies. It has also allowed Victorian agencies and crews to conduct familiarization training in regional areas, including fill-up sites and transit routes. The operations were conducted day and night in controlled circumstances.
Turbine Conversions, Ltd
The Aviation Innovation Specialists since 1990
Hatfield Hydraulic Gate Fire Retardant Delivery System Fighting Wildfires Around the World since 1998!
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said: “It’s so important that we continue to train, for the crew to get to know our state, in the event they might be deployed to a fire.” “Thanks to residents in Whittlesea, Hume Vale, Kinglake West, Arthurs Creek, Doreen and Strathewen, and the broader Victorian community, who may have seen or heard the Chinook at night.” N42CU, or Helitak 341 as flown in Victoria, was deployed on a fire north of Melbourne at Conagoderra. Its large tank capacity was used to quickly smother a grass fire that had developed and threatened homes and livestock in the immediate area.
Western Pilot Services - Arizona STC SA00961CH STC SA00-45 Canada ANAC 2021S08-10 Brazil ANAC Argentina
The reliability and safety of
The devastating floods in NSW saw the Chinook N40CU take up a new role. The helicopter’s internal tank was removed so that much-needed supplies could be distributed to the communities affected by this massive natural disaster in the cargo hold of the machine. The helicopter was deployed to several locations in the state, where the flood-affected communities benefitted greatly from its carrying capacity. Coulson Aviation now has five CU-47D configured for aerial firefighting and is looking to increase this as the demand for the type grows across the globe. Coulson’s CU-47s are deployed each year across North America, Chile, and Australia. The CU-47s are all fitted with internal tanks with a 10,000-litre capacity (3,000 gallons) Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS)-L), modeled on the RADS tank design as fitted to the Coulson C-130 and 737 aircraft. The tank has been scaled down and designed for use in the Chinook. The tank’s design has some notable features. All tanks fitted to firefighting helicopters have a snorkel to draw water from a water source. Generally, when a snorkel is suspended below, the aircraft limits its airspeed. If the airspeed is too high, the snorkel could damage the helicopter by hitting it while in transit. ➤
the TCL Fire Gate has been proven in the field. The original design which reduces pitch up after the drop & emergency “Blow Down” system makes the Hatfield Fire Gate a leader in Single Engine Aircraft Technology. Versatility to allow use of liquid spray equipment while installed so there is no need to disconnect to change to agricultural work. Effective drop control, ease of maintenance, pilot friendly controls & lighter weight makes TCL’s gate the right choice in fire fighting equipment.
Available for Air Tractor AT402 AT502 AT602 AT802
Western Pilot Services - Arizona
TurbineConversions.com
Ann@turbineconversions.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 73 TEL 616-837-9428
Coulson CU-47s generally have a cruise speed of 135 to 140 knots and an endurance of 2.2 hours. Coulson has designed and fitted a retractable snorkel that retracts into the fuselage to allow higher transit. The snorkel’s stowage enables the CU-47 to maintain normal cruise speeds without restrictions. The stowing of the snorkel also enables the CH-47 to taxi, take off, and land without reliance on the ground crew and prevents damage to the snorkel, which can occur with other tanked helicopters. In a hover, the snorkel takes just four seconds to deploy AF 74 | aerialfiremag.com
and six seconds to retract; the pilots and flight engineers can monitor the system’s operation; by the flight engineer or via a high-definition belly-mounted camera feed displayed on the touchscreen controller. Two pilots and a flight engineer with ground support provided by a crew of four, all with vast military and civilian experience in operations crew Coulson Chinooks. The Australian-contracted CU-47s will return to work for the Northern fire season after their contracts in March. They will both return to Australia again for the start of the 2022/2023 season.
SIMPLE - SAFETY - CONFIDENCE Safety Through Simulation
Member
The best way to “Get back in the Saddle” after the off season! Get Your Recurrent and Refresher Courses Today!
Turbine Transition Training •Initial and Recurrent Air Tractor Training (402-802 series) •Controlled Airspace Operations •Inadvertent IMC •Controlled Airspace Communications •Per Hour Sim Rental •Collision Avoidance (Obstacle/UAV) •Customized Courses Designed For the Individual’s Needs WE OFFER DUAL INSTRUCTION TIME BUILDING PACKAGES IN A DUAL CONTROLLED AT-802.
info@turbine-training.com www.turbine-training.com
CALL FOR DETAILS
866-335-1224
Whether you’re operating Next-Gen Air Tankers, Helitankers or SEAT aircraft, the stress and complexities of your business demand your full attention. Our attention is focused on building the peace of mind which comes from knowing your business has the proper insurance protection. • 130+ dedicated Aviation Professionals • Over 50,000 clients in all 50 states • We offer customized, innovative solutions • Unbeatable expertise and service
assuredpartners.com/aerospace
aerialfiremag.com | AF 75
Pilots with ADHD
By Chris M. Front, Psy.D.
Inattention manifests behaviorally in ADHD as being disorganized, easily distracted, wandering off task, and having difficulty sustaining focus.
AF 76 | aerialfiremag.com
Safety experts agree that at least 70% of aviation accidents are attributable to the pilot. NASA scientists report that most accidents result from some failure in the pilot’s cognitive performance, with distractions and errors in aeronautical decision making (ADM) most prominent.
Three subtypes of ADHD are based on the symptoms exhibited: a “predominantly inattentive” presentation, a “predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive” presentation, and a “combined” presentation. All three include symptoms that pose a hazard to flight safety.
For example, when a pilot decides to launch into marginal VFR conditions, continues as conditions deteriorate, enters IMC, and loses control of the aircraft, the fatal crash may be categorized as a “loss of control” event, but it was rooted in poor ADM. Even experienced pilots with no impairing conditions occasionally make errors in ADM or get distracted. That fact led to the emphasis on CFIs creating realistic distractions in flight to teach effective distraction management, as well as scenario-based training and formal risk assessment tools to improve ADM.
Inattention manifests behaviorally in ADHD as being disorganized, easily distracted, wandering off task, and having difficulty sustaining focus. Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity or excessive restlessness, or talkativeness. Impulsivity refers to hasty actions without adequate consideration of possible consequences, despite a high potential for harm.
The likelihood of an accident rooted in distraction or poor ADM is heightened when the pilot has a condition that negatively affects such skills. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. ADHD occurs in approximately 5% of children and frequently persists into adulthood, affecting about 2.5% of adults.
NTSB investigations of fatal accidents attributed to ADHD have documented that pilots with ADHD: failed to adequately prepare for flight (e.g., did not check the weather), continued flight when it was ill-advised (e.g., due to deteriorating weather), engaged in hazardous actions (e.g., low-level maneuvering to show off), and became distracted and made critical errors (e.g., failed to maintain airspeed, stalled, and spun while circling a friend’s home at low altitude). Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots.
Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The result is that the FAA learns about the condition after a fatal accident when the toxicology results reveal the presence of medication used to treat ADHD. Notably, pharmacological treatments for ADHD are not approved for flying because they can cause harmful effects on perceptual, motor, and cognitive functions and impair the recognition of fatigue. Additionally, their effectiveness is time-limited, a particular concern if a dose is missed or flight time exceeds the therapeutic impact of the drug.
Tower Tech, Inc. Mobile Air Traffic Control Services We are the leading provider of rapid response mobile air traffic control services. FAA Certified Air Traffic Controllers, and state of the art equipment with a single phone call.
Complicating the picture is the fact that an inaccurate diagnosis of ADHD is not uncommon. Proper diagnosis of ADHD is a complex and time-consuming process. Medical providers, acting under time pressure and attempting to respond to the concerns of patients (or their parents), sometimes prescribe medication to treat ADHD or assign a diagnosis without adequate evidence of the disorder. The result is a subset of the adult population with a documented history of treatment for ADHD — some of whom truly had the condition and others who probably did not.
twrtech@vfr.net • twrtech .c om
916-215-3135
To determine if the adverse impact of ADHD is present or not, the FAA requires a thorough evaluation by a licensed psychologist. It is most beneficial to see a psychologist familiar with the FAA’s specific protocols and standards. AMEs have access to a list of FAAeligible providers to assist with referrals. The FAA’s evaluation requirements for a history of ADHD are available at the following link: bit.ly/AMEGuide. Upon review, the FAA will either deny the pilot’s application or grant an unrestricted or Special Issuance (SI) medical certificate. If the pilot receives a time-limited SI, further monitoring and assessment may be required. While time-consuming and costly, based on the safety risks posed by the symptoms of ADHD, the FAA has established this evidence-based risk assessment protocol to safeguard both the pilot and the national airspace system. Chris M. Front, Psy.D., is an instrument and multiengine-rated commercial pilot and clinical psychologist in the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine. He is board certified in assessment psychology. Randy J. Georgemiller, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist in the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine and is board certified in clinical psychology.
AT-802 FIREBOSS
Cascade Pressure Cowl Delivers! u u u u
Increase in Clean Air Volume to PT6 engine Decrease up to 32⁰ ITT Temps Decrease up to 1.5% NG Easy Access to Service Air Filter System ( Filter swap - 20 min) Fuel Nozzles Chip Detectors
Pilot Report: “Before the Cascade Pressure Cowl, this FIREBOSS was always at the back of the pack. Cascade Pressure Cowl installed, it’s always at the front with our best performing FIREBOSS! Performance is everything! ”
Protecting the PT6A Turbine Engine for 21 Years!
www.cascadeaircraftconversions.com 903 Grinnell Rd. Garfield, WA 99130 | PH. 509.635.1212 aerialfiremag.com | AF 77
The Incident Traffic Area
In 2001, I had my first full-time job in wildfire aviation as a helitack Fire Captain. Ignorance was bliss for me in the air, but all that changed when I heard two of our aircraft and crews had a midair collision over a fire in Mendocino County, named the Buss Incident. Both pilots were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. The effect on the fire service and personnel was devastating and life-changing for us all in one way or another. The wildfire aviation rule of engagement is now known as the Fire Traffic Area (FTA). The FTA was developed because of the tragic loss of two air tankers and pilots; the Buss Incident became yet another aviation lesson learned through tremendous loss. The FTA is, in short, a self-imposed temporary flight restriction (TFR) zone for fire incident aircraft. The FTA may or may not be within a Federal Aviation Administration TFR. First responders in America term any emergency event as an “Incident,” which may be a fire, car wreck, shooting, or other natural or manmade disaster. Wildland fire Agencies throughout the United States maintain the FTA as one single unified policy related to flying over wildland fires. The single scripted way in which all state and federal fire agencies engage is because of utilizing shared resources across agencies and borders anywhere in the United States. There is a saying that many policies have been written in blood, as we can attest to regarding the FTA when engaged in close air support in a chaotic environment.
mile initial contact ring, clearance will still be required to enter the TFR. Aircrews proceed with standard FTA communication procedures if the TFR boundary is within the 12-mile ring. How does the FTA differ from a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)? All assigned/ordered aircraft must obtain clearance into the incident TFR by the on-scene aerial supervision or the official in charge of the on-scene emergency response activities. An aircraft dispatch form is not a clearance into a TFR. Aircraft not assigned to the incident must stay clear of the TFR unless the communication is established with the controlling entity, Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), Aerial Supervision Module (ASM), Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), etc., and authorization is given to enter/transit the TFR. The first responding aircraft, typically on extended attack incidents, must have reasonable assurance that there are no other aircraft in the TFR. This is done by making blind calls on the TFR frequency and other assigned air-to-air frequencies and double-checking with ground personnel at the helibase or Operations Section Chief (OPS) or Incident Commander (IC). There may be multiple aircraft operations areas within a TFR. Non-Incident aircraft may enter the TFR under the following conditions: •
The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area or is necessitated by the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather or terrain; notification is given to the Flight Service Station (FSS) or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM to receive advisories concerning disaster relief aircraft operations, and the operation does not hamper or endanger relief activities. It is not conducted to observe the disaster.
•
The aircraft is carrying law enforcement officials.
•
The aircraft is on a flight plan and carrying properly accredited news representatives.
So what is the FTA? The FTA is a communication protocol for firefighting agencies. It does not pertain to other aircraft with legal access granted by the FAA within a specific TFR. The FTA should not be confused with a TFR, a legal restriction established by the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict aviation traffic. At the same time, the FTA is a communication tool for establishing protocol within firefighting agencies. Participating aircraft must adhere to TFR policies as set by the FAA. For example, if the TFR boundary of a polygon exceeds the 12AF 78 | aerialfiremag.com
•
The aircraft is operating under the ATC-approved IFR flight plan.
Later in my career as a Chief Officer for CAL FIRE, I had the opportunity to engage in the education of fire, aeromedical, law enforcement, and military personnel regarding the FTA. That was also a point in my career where I was asked to assist in writing California’s catastrophic aviation response plan for the California Office of Emergency Services. It was difficult to believe that there was no response plan for significant events that plague our country. I soon learned a few state plans out there, but the management of these large devastating events and incidents such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes is as diverse as the regions in which they occur.
YOUR NEXT AIRCRAFT IS HERE.
The United States has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for congruency and for the ability of first responders to know how to work in one management environment versus hundreds. Although different regions have different capabilities and management styles, NIMS is the go-to for most first responder agencies. The fire service is probably the most exercised with it as emergency incidents are occurring every day, where fire personnel gets to practice. First responder personnel from around the United States engage in large wildfire incidents annually. ➤
LANE AVIATION, INC. ROSENBERG, TX
“Flying Excellence Since 1945”
281-342-5451 888-995-5263 TEL • 281-232-5401 FAX logan@laneav.com • www.laneav.com
Active Noise Reduction in Helmets:
How a trusted technology can save your life
eBook
During the building process of the California Catastrophic Aviation Response Plan, it dawned on me that not all states have the robust aviation response component as California. Out of sight, out of mind, was how much the aviation program was and is looked at. However, during a significant incident where many aircraft will need to be utilized to assist in the mitigation and recovery efforts, there is already a proven way to use large numbers of aircraft. When the “big one” happens, many aircraft from different agencies and vendors will be needed for missions ranging from rescue to assessment. Without strict air coordination and a National Aviation Response policy, aircraft will be locked into a slotted timeline and altitude through strict Federal Aviation Administration Guidelines. I’ve heard, “well, we’ll have a military presence, and we can just put up an airborne controller or use an FAA tower. It all sounds good until the reality of support and communication with the ground troops are needed without time for a slotted mission, and towers are limited to what is on the radar. A law enforcement agency recently asked a military department and me to provide some education on the FTA. That is where I believe we, the first responders, need to rethink what we are calling the FTA. When we say FTA, we are assuming and only training to fire, but what about all other incidents where the same blueprint can and should be used. Another saying is “out of sight out of mind .”In both the law and military environments, I’ve seen the lack of this kind of coordination where there are multiple players and frequencies. It’s ok to fly in one’s sandbox, but what about when aircrews are asked to assist in someone else’s sandbox, with many others coming to play. Utilization of everyday flight rules is acceptable for a few aircraft, but that can all change very quickly during an emergency where many aircraft converge tactically. There will need to be a practiced, rehearsed structure for close air support if we are to provide the service we’ve all been trained for. ➤
AF 80 | aerialfiremag.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 81
The wildland fire service has one governing body, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), for certification for response in whatever capacity one responds in.
Rehearsing at the incident is not acceptable, and lives will be at stake early in any large-scale incident. I believe the FTA could and should be re-coined to the Incident Traffic Area (ITA). This would allow for cross-over and training in the Risk emergency environment where training should occur outside the fire service. During significant incidents, law enforcement, media, military, and civilian aircraft will be on the scene; why not train for it now? The wildland fire service has one governing body, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), for certification for response in whatever capacity one responds in. This group has representation from all Federal, State, County, and Local agencies. Certification goes from single resource positions to taskforce and strike team leaders to group supervisors, branch, and operations through the incident commander, all of which fold into NIMS. AF 82 | aerialfiremag.com
NWCG allows any agency to participate and sets the standards and certification for response qualifications. If the State of Florida asks for help and orders a division group supervisor for a fire and the State of Nevada sends one, Florida can bank on that person meeting a minimum qualification. To my knowledge, this certification process is not established for the all-risk environment. This is where cross-over should and could be synonymous but is often blurred. The FTA is reviewed by sub-committees of NWCG annually and taught around the country in the wildland fire arena. The name change could be discussed there, but other agencies not involved with NWCG would benefit from its utilization on their own. It may now be up to other responding entities with aerial assets that may be called upon to participate in a significant catastrophic event to start rethinking response and incident flight procedures.
ADVERTISER INDEX Air Tractor Europe.................51 Air Tractor Inc.........................84 Assured Partners..................75 Aviation Specialties Unlimited.................................19 Blazetamer.............................37 Blue Sky Network..................17 Bridger Aerospace................39 Cascade Aircraft Conversions............................77 CD Aviation................................7 Coastal Air Strike...................21 CoFire Aviation.......................19 Conair Group Inc....................59 Davidson Solid Rock Insurance................................80 Desser Aerospace.................27 Fire Boss.................................35 Flightcell..................................27 Forest Protection ..................81 Frost Flying.............................41 Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment...............................47 Isolair.......................................71 Kawak Aviation.......................40 Lane Aviation..........................79 Leonardo.................................13 Lightspeed Aviation...............80 Merit Apparel..........................65 Neal Aircraft.............................2 Paraclete Aviation Life Support....................................49 Perimeter Solutions.......... 3,23 SEI Industries Ltd..................43 Smith Myers............................55 Southwest Airmotive............71 Spidertracks Limited............65 TAE Aerospace.......................25 Tangent Link...........................33 Teledyne FLIR.........................15 Tower Tech..............................77 Trotter Controls........................5 Turbine Conversions LTD.....73 Turbines Inc............................83 Turbine Training.....................75 Valley Air Crafts.....................71 Zanoni Equipment.................58
AIR TRACTOR DELIVERS.
AIR TRACTOR DELIVERS THE PERFORMANCE, EFFICIENCY, AND PRECISION THIS JOB DEMANDS. IT’S TIME YOU DEMAND MORE.
