NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

Aerial
Firefighting
Europe
2023
Greece Shines

RAMIFICATIONS INSIGHTS
OF THE MUNDANE & ANALYSIS
HOW GOOD CRM CATCHES ERRORS MAPPING THE
BEFORE HARM CAN OCCUR BUSHFIRE OUTLOOK
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 50
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Aerial Firefighting
AERIALFIRE IS PUBLISHED BY

Europe 2023
PUBLISHER:
Graham Lavender - graham@marsaylmedia.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF:

GREECE SHINES
Ryan Mason - ryan@marsaylmedia.com
ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATION:
Casey Armstrong - casey@marsaylmedia.com
DISPLAY ADVERTISING:
Melanie Woodley - melanie@marsaylmedia.com

on the cover
PRODUCTION:
Daniela Constantino - daniela@marsaylmedia.com
CIRCULATION:

Take a look at the highlights from Aerial Firefighting Europe 2023, held in Greece
Mary Jane Virden - maryjane@marsaylmedia.com

this October. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

in this issue
Nancy Argyle Larry Kreig
Nat Drew Tiffany Taylor
Todd O’Hara

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
John Pitsakis Mike Biden
Marty Wolin Gavin Douglas

News & Features

Konstantinos Marmarelis

© Copyright 2023 AerialFire retains all

rights for reproduction of any material

14 McDermott Aviation
submitted, to include but not limited to

Branches into Fixed Wing

with C-160 Purchases
40 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
18 Rain and Sikorsky the publisher. Editorial published do not
necessary reflect the views of the publisher.
Collaborate to Advance Content within AerialFire is believed to be

Rapid Response
true and accurate and the publisher does
not assume responsibility for any errors or
Capabilities for Aerial omissions. Unsolicited editorial manuscripts
and photos are welcomed and encouraged.
Wildland Firefighting We cannot be responsible for return unless
submissions are accompanied by a stamped,
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deadline is 12 noon, on the 1st of the month
Continue Certification preceding the month of publication.

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Proud Member:
38 Improving Data for
74 Aerial Firefighters
40 Will Increased Risk Bring
Canada’s Air Force into
the Aerial Wildfire Fight?
48 Ramifications of
the Mundane IN EVERY ISSUE
64 Lowest Price Technically The Drop...............................................6
AerialFire Pics........................................8
Acceptable Craymer’s Counsel................................12

74 Insights and Analysis: Find Us On:

Mapping the Bushfire
Outlook with TracPlus
aerialfiremag.com | AF 5
 THE DROP
Ryan Mason ryan@aerialfiremag.com
Collaboration is Key
Having just returned from the aerial firefighting show in
Europe held in Greece, the most important thing that I came
away from after this show, and the two previous installments
held in Seattle, Washington, and Dubbo, NSW, Australia,
is this industry would not be what it is without the massive
collaborative efforts that occur annually.
The Tangent Link shows are an excellent example of
collaborating for a common good. Although Tangent Link
is a private company, they collaborate with key partners
across the world to bring together both vendors and industry
AF 6 | aerialfiremag.com
representatives to host shows that further the common good
of Aerial Firefighting and bring people together from all over
the world who may not otherwise have a venue to talk with
each other and share ideas, experiences and best practices
that may otherwise be stored as tribal knowledge within a
company or firefighting operation.
At the shows this year, evidence of collaboration was
everywhere, from vendors collaborating with customers to
purchase goods to collaborating for a common goal on a
specific product that would benefit the industry. A great
example of that is the collaboration between Helitak
Firefighting Equipment and McDermott Aviation, who
announced shortly before the AFFE show in Greece a
collaborative effort to build the first fixed-wing aerial
firefighting tank for the C-160 for McDermott, themselves
moving into a new area in the fixed wing world that
without collaboration with Helitak, may not have been
possible to achieve. Examples like this happen often in
our industry segment and throughout it regularly.

Collaboration is a crucial piece of aerial firefighting,

without which we would all not be as successful at
putting out fires or our respective slice of the industry
from which we exist. Even from my perspective in the
magazine, we would not be able to achieve what we have
over the last several years without collaborating with the
dozens of customers and operators we feature each year
in the publication.

During the pandemic, many operators faced severe

challenges in delivering their products worldwide, getting
aircraft where they needed to be and operating where they
needed to. Collaboration between operators and state,
federal, and local agencies was never more vital than it
COOL.
was through the pandemic. Those experiences created
longstanding bonds between operators and customers that CALM.
CONNECTED.
will not soon be forgotten.

The same goes for many of us at shows worldwide that

foster years-long relationships from vendor to vendor or
vendor to agencies that continue to pay dividends to those
who know the value of collaborative efforts.
Sometimes, collaborating does not have an end goal other
than to help someone else achieve a goal, much like
mentoring someone new in the industry to navigate the
pitfalls of the industry. Those lessons are hard to learn
alone and much easier when you have an industry veteran
to help you navigate. Those long-lasting relationships
have a way of paying off through collaborative efforts to
reach a common goal, which sounds simple when you
  
    
  
 

   
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Search…
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say “put the wet stuff on the hot stuff” as a common goal.
TIME OF FIX

2023 03 29 15:51:28 NZST

Active Now
COORDINATES

-36.8135, 175.5569
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ALTITUDE ZK-HBC
965 ft

SPEED TRACK
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A few seconds ago 14682 ft @ 183 kt TracPlus Serial: DZM40330494

Still, as we all know, there are thousands more pieces to

ZK -HUO Activity
a minute ago 2004 ft @ 118.45 kt
TOTAL DISTANCE TOTAL TIME

83.89 nm 1h 15m 19s

ZK - ADY
2 minutes ago 42697 ft @ 467 kt
Thames - Whangapoua

DEPARTED ARRIVED ELAPSED

ZK -HQE 15:35:21 15:56:02 20m 41s
3 minutes ago 1516 ft @ 124.45 kt

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that much-simplified puzzle, and it is often made much

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5 minutes ago 30 m @ 9 km/h
14:30:11 15:07:21 37m 10s

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15 minutes ago 35 m @ 18 km/h

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easier when you have the right people to collaborate with

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to achieve the right results.

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4 hours ago 0 m @ 0 km/h

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? Help
15:56:22 NZST 03:56:22 UTC
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Fly safe,

sales@tracplus.com
tracplus.com

PROUDLY
SERVING NAFCNational Aerial Firefighting Centre

aerialfiremag.com | AF 7
A McDermott Aviation Bell 214B after a water pickup in Greece. Photo by John Pitsakis.

A Pays Aviation Fire Boss departing in Greece. Photo by Konstantinos Marmarelis.

AF 8 | aerialfiremag.com
 AERIAL FIRE PICS
Tanker 914 on arrival as the moon rises. Photo by Marty Wolin.

A Ventura County Fire/Coulson Aviation CH-47 drops in California. Photo by Gavin Douglas.

aerialfiremag.com | AF 9
UAFA Visits the Hill
by Tiffany Taylor
On September 18 and 19, 2023, over twenty members of the
United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) visited Capitol
Hill to meet with over thirty congressional offices including
many of the representatives themselves, to advocate for our
industry and our mission. The purpose of the visit was to
introduce UAFA and discuss two major legislative changes
that would make federal contracts for fire suppression more
effective and efficient.

The most important is a change in the definition of what (L to R) Dave McCammon-PJ Helicopters, Bob Sanchez-Universal Avionics,
suppression funds can be used for. Due to the limited Justin Gunsauls-PJ Helicopters, James Whaley-Sen Bennett Office, Paul
amount of preparedness funds allotted for pre-season Petersen-UAFA, Richard Simpson-Dauntless Air, Jennifer Johnson-Bighorn
contracts, call when needed contracts have been more Public Affairs, Erin Fox-Fortress FRS, Jennif.
prevalent. A change in the definition would allow the use of
suppression funds for pre-season exclusive use contracts,
rather than just on-call contracts. This would provide more
stability and predictability for both the contractors and the
agencies, as well as reduce costs and increase efficiency.

The second request works with the first to encourage longer-

term contracts by removing the agencies’ requirement to
fund the cancellation ceiling at the time of award for multi-
year contracts. A multi-year contract is different from a
multiple-year contract in that there is a guarantee for the
entire term vice a base period and multiple option periods.
This would allow the Forest Service to award longer term
contracts with aerial firefighting companies without requiring
its limited preparedness funds to languish on an accounting
line for years in the event the contract is cancelled. This
would also allow the Forest Service to secure lower overall
rates from aerial firefighting companies since the companies
would have the stability they need to invest in new
equipment and retain experienced personnel.
The UAFA members met with a variety of congressional
staff members, including members of the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, the House and Senate Agriculture
Committees, and the House and Senate Natural Resources
Committees. The UAFA members shared their stories about
the challenges of fighting wildfires and explained how the
proposed legislative changes would help them to be more
effective in protecting communities and the environment.
Several congressional members commented on the fact that
industry competitors were in the room together to discuss the
issues meant something in the federal system was broken.
“It is important to engage with elected officials to
communicate and educate the about the aerial fire industry
and to continue to support the wildland fire suppression
L to R Eddie Goldberg-Perimeter Solutions, Darren Wilkens-Bridger Aerospace,
Tiffany Taylor-UAFA, Rep Mike Simpson (ID), Brett L’Esperance-Dauntless Air,
Bart Brainerd-Firehawk Helicopters.
effort” said Paul Petersen, UAFA Executive Director. “UAFA
engagement with Congress and Agencies is a critical role of
our organization to support our members”
The UAFA’s visit to Capitol Hill was a success. The
association members were able to raise awareness about
the critical role that aerial firefighting plays in protecting
communities from wildfires and to build support for their
legislative priorities. The UAFA is committed to continuing to
work with Congress to pass legislation that will make federal
contracts for fire suppression more effective and efficient.
More UAFA outreach is expected in early 2024 when
Congress is drafting the FY2025 budget.
Aerial firefighting is a vital service that protects lives,
property, and natural resources from the devastating effects
of wildfires. We are proud to be part of this community, and
we thank all our members and supporters for their dedication
and commitment. We have members from corporate, affiliate
and partner organizations. Join us at www.uafa.org.

AF 10 | aerialfiremag.com
UAFA is the only comprehensive association dedicated to aerial firefighting
and is a united voice advocating for safety and standardization
on the local, state, and federal levels.

WHY JOIN?

BE PART OF THE SINGLE VOICE

OF THE INDUSTRY.
COLLABORATE WITH
OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY.
ACCESS TO
MEMBERS ONLY RESOURCES

Find out More and Join:

www.uafa.org

aerialfiremag.com | AF 11
 CRAYMER’S COUNSEL
Robert Craymer - robertc@covingtonaircraft.com
As I began thinking about this topic, it dawned on me that
several of us may not know what the acronym means. FOD
can stand for two different but associated things. The first
acronym meaning is Foreign Object Debris. It makes sense
when people say FOD damage that they are using this
meaning. The second meaning is Foreign Object Damage.
When we discuss engine components with damage due to
ingestion, this is the meaning we reference. For instance, the
blade requires repair due to FOD.
The first thing I always bring up with regards to FOD is
that the event may be insurable. If you have an incident
that cannot be repaired on wing, be sure and contact your
insurance company to determine if your event is insurable on
your policy.
The engine maintenance manual doesn’t specifically call out
FOD until you get further into the manual, rather it talks of
material ingestion with additional specific call outs for bird
strikes or “soft material” ingestion inspections. If material
remains are found on the 1st stage compressor blades, it
is an indication that soft material has been ingested. We
had this happen not too long ago. A customer said his
performance had changed after a bird strike. The inspection
calls out possible contamination of the gas path. We found
“material” left over from a bird strike had contaminated the
bleed valve and was leading to improper function. A little
cleaning and washing got him back in the air quickly. If you
AF 12 | aerialfiremag.com
have this type of occurrence and the engine is to remain in
service after a soft material ingestion, then a performance
recovery wash must be done per the maintenance manual.
If other material goes into the compressor, such as stones,
ice, etc., you must inspect the compressor and determine
the next course of action. Part of this inspection requirement
is a performance run to make sure that the compressor
operation has not been compromised. If performance is
acceptable but there is damage on the compressor, you must
decide if the FOD is acceptable. Inspection historically has
been accomplished with the use of a mirror and flashlight.
Due to heightened concerns about erosion of the PT6A-67’s
a borescope is now necessary to make determinations of
damage. A borescope is a very handy tool to help you make
the proper decisions.
If the damage found on the compressor from either FOD
or erosion are within the acceptable limits, you might
make the decision to continue operation without repair. Per
the engine maintenance manual there is an “acceptable
without repair” path that you can take. Yes, that is right,
acceptable WITHOUT repair. BUT, you knew a but was
coming, if the engine with acceptable damage remains in
service without repair, the FOD must be inspected again in
100 hours. Subsequent inspections are up to you but must
not exceed 400 hours. All of this is based upon acceptable
performance.
There are blend repairs in the manual to prevent
unnecessary engine removal. You must keep in mind
there are some specific limits and directions in the engine
maintenance manual that will help limit the performance
loss that the compressor could experience. A performance
run must again be performed post repair. It is possible
that the post repair performance is so negatively impacted
that the engine will have to be removed to address the
performance loss.

There are a handful of items that you cannot address on

wing. Unacceptable damage includes tears, cracks, tip curl
and sharp edges. Repairing FOD on wing is not the simplest
of tasks as there is limited access to the affected parts. You
do need to document any repairs that you accomplish and
keep the inlet and airbox as clean as possible. Don’t forget
your air filter maintenance, this is the first line of protection
that you have against FOD. If you have any questions or
concerns, feel free to contact us. We are here to help you.

Robert Craymer has worked on PT6A engine and PT6A

powered aircraft for the past three decades, including the
last 25+ years at Covington Aircraft. As a licensed A&P
mechanic, Robert has held every job in an engine overhaul
shop as well as being an instructor of PT6A Maintenance and
Familiarization courses for both pilots and mechanics.

New Tires, Retreads, Hoses,

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aerialfiremag.com | AF 13
McDermott Aviation Branches into
Fixed Wing with C-160 Purchases
Globally recognized aerial firefighting company McDermott
Aviation, known for its large fleet of Bell 214 and 241ST
aircraft, will soon become a fixed-wing aerial firefighting
operation in addition to supplying helicopters worldwide for
fire suppression operations.
September 13th, 2023, the company took delivery of a
C-160 aircraft into Australia, arriving at the Sunshine Coast
Airport in Queensland, where it will be fitted out with a
3000-gallon tank by Australian tank manufacturer Helitak
Firefighting Equipment.
The C-160 will be the first fixed-wing tank created by
Helitak Firefighting Equipment, located in Lake McDonald,
Queensland, which has previously created retractable
tanks for multiple helicopter types, with the most popular
being the FT4500 tank, used by many United States and
Australian fire contractors on the UH-60 Blackhawk.
“The C-160 project is a new challenge for us at Helitak, but
creating a tank for a fixed-wing aircraft was only a matter of
time for us as a business, our longstanding relationship with
McDermott Aviation has allowed us to become the vendor
that will produce the next generation of tank for the industry
in the C-160 and allow McDermott Aviation to further
assist multiple countries in providing a more comprehensive
response to aerial firefighting,” said Jason Schellars,
Helitak’s founder and CEO.
AF 14 | aerialfiremag.com
The Transall C-160 was first produced as a military
transport aircraft, produced as a joint venture between
France and Germany. According to information from
Wikipedia, “Transall” is an abbreviation of the manufacturing
consortium Transporter Allianz, comprising the companies
of MBB, Aerospatiale, and VFW-Fokker. It was initially
developed to meet the requirements for a modern transport
aircraft for the French and German Air Forces; export sales
were also made to South Africa and Turkey, as well as a
small number to civilian operators.
The C-160 remains in service more than 60 years after the
type’s first flight in 1963. It has provided logistical support
to overseas operations and has served in specialist roles
such as an aerial refueling tanker, electronic intelligence
gathering, and as a communications platform.
The C-160 has been replaced in French and German military
service by the Airbus A400M Atlas, and a small number of
Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules.
The C-160 arriving in Australia is one of several purchased
by McDermott Aviation that will go into service once tanks
are installed in restricted category operations for service in
European countries to combat the ever-growing need for
firefighting aircraft provided by contractors as fire danger
continues to increase year by year in European countries as
the number of acres burned increases annually.
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 15
Fire Boss Names Distribution
Partner for Latin America
Fire Boss announced on October 18th, 2023, that AgSur
Aviones has been named an official distribution partner
for Central and South America for the Fire Boss aerial
firefighting system. “This partnership means our customers
will have direct assistance within their country for sales and
service. AgSur has sold over 300 Air Tractor aircraft in this
market, proving it has the infrastructure to be at the ready
when it comes to supporting aerial firefighting. With the
accelerated growth of the Fire Boss market, it makes sense
AF 16 | aerialfiremag.com
to partner with the number one Air Tractor dealer in Latin
America,” said Clint E. Clouatre, Vice President Marketing &
Sales for Fire Boss LLC.
“The progression of our rise to being a distributor felt natural
and is one we intend to grow. The Fire Boss is the premier
firefighting aircraft in the world, and it is our pleasure
to represent Fire Boss throughout Latin America!,” said
Alejandro Moreno, Managing Partner of AgSur.
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 17
Rain and Sikorsky Collaborate to
Advance Rapid Response Capabilities
for Aerial Wildland Firefighting
Rain, a provider of aerial wildfire containment technology,
and Sikorsky announced this month at the UP.Summit a
collaboration to explore how Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ autonomy
suite operating with Rain’s Wildfire Mission Autonomy
System can launch uncrewed helicopters to drop water on
wildfires within minutes of detection.
“Combining Sikorsky’s demonstrated mature vehicle autonomy
system with Rain’s early response capability will show how
an uncrewed BLACK HAWK® or FIREHAWK® helicopter
can quickly take off, fly to a suspected ignition, and drop
water to suppress a wildfire in its incipient stage with no
human onboard,” said Rain CEO Maxwell Brodie. ”Ultimately,
Rain envisions equipping fire agencies with the capability
to strategically position a future fleet of firefighting aircraft
capable of receiving and carrying out mission commands.”
This collaborative effort will use Rain’s Wildfire Mission
Autonomy System to upload mission commands to
Sikorsky’s Optionally Piloted BLACK HAWK helicopter with
no crew on board for the fastest response time.
Brodie pointed to research showing that a 15-minute reduction
in wildfire response times could generate $3.5 to $8.2 billion in
economic benefits annually for the state of California alone.
Developed for more than a dozen years by Sikorsky
Innovations, an advanced engineering group within Sikorsky,
the MATRIX system combines a platform-agnostic software
and hardware suite, including sensors, to ensure an aircraft
flown with reduced crew or uninhabited can fly reliably and
safely in low-level and obstacle-rich terrain. Even with no
humans on board, an aircraft with the MATRIX system does
not require a remote pilot or ground controller to command
the mission via datalink, nor waypoints to navigate.
AF 18 | aerialfiremag.com
“MATRIX executes a full mission plan by taking
into account mission goals and constraints, aircraft
performance, obstacles, weather, and topography,” said Igor
Cherepinsky, Sikorsky Innovations director. “The system is
fully integrated with the flight controls, allowing the aircraft
to fly with high levels of autonomy in all environmental
conditions. MATRIX is just one example, our predictive
firefighting Intelligence capabilities being another, of how
Lockheed Martin is integrating 21st Century Security
technology to help first responders fight wildfires faster and
more effectively.”
To date, MATRIX has been tested on 10 different rotary and
fixed-wing aircraft and can be applied to existing or new
build applications.
Rain integrates with early wildfire detection networks to
rapidly dispatch autonomous aircraft. Onboard the aircraft,
the Rain Wildfire Mission Autonomy System identifies and
locates wildfire, develops a suppression strategy, and plans
flight path and drop timing to enable on-target delivery of
suppressant. Throughout operations, the Wildfire Mission
Autonomy System shares intelligence and plans, providing
firefighters with situational awareness and oversight of the
mission to ensure safety and coordination.
Rain and Sikorsky’s collaboration will demonstrate
autonomous capabilities to enable firefighting helicopters
to be pre-positioned in remote locations according to
wildfire risk. Operating uncrewed, and deployable 24/7, the
integrated offering would provide fire agencies the ability
to rapidly respond to ignitions in hard-to-access regions in
varied terrain, supporting fire agencies with new tools in
their mission to prevent catastrophic wildfires in the areas
they serve.
 R AISING THE BAR FOR S-64
OPER ATOR TR AINING

128+
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FO

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ON
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HOURS
FOR

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2023 marked the third annual Erickson Spring Training Program.

The streamlined training and certification maintain Erickson’s world-class
pilots and mechanics at the top of their game. With access to this OEM
catered training, Erickson customers worldwide can take their S-64 and CH-53
proficiencies to the next level.

Read the case study to learn more: PR.ERICKSONINC.COM/AFF-NOV-DEC

aerialfiremag.com | AF 19
Aviation Specialties Unlimited
Awarded EASA STCs for Bell 429
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. received notification
October 23, 2023, from EASA that the company has
obtained an STC for the Bell 429.
“Our team has worked closely with EASA for years,” said ASU
Vice President of Business Development and experienced
instructor pilot Chad St. Francis. “Last year, we were able to
announce EASA STCs or the Bell 212, 412, AB212, AB412,
and 412EP under a single EASA STC 10078190. STC
10082016 REV.1 adds another Bell aircraft to our portfolio
AF 20 | aerialfiremag.com
of STCs available for European operators.” Bell has delvered
more that 90 429 aircraft in Europe and more than 430 429s
are in operation worldwide.
ASU also holds FAA and EASA STCs for numerous other
aircraft. ASU has more than 60 night vision STCs from
the FAA, EASA, and other aviation administrations. Join
ASU at European Rotors Stand 1009 to discuss your STC
requirements, aircraft modification needs, training, and night
vision programs.
40 Years Billings Flying Service
Specializing in Heavy Lift Helicopter Operations, Aerial Firefighting
and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO).

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aerialfiremag.com | AF 21
Neptune Aviation to Offer Garmin
Avionics Conversion Services
Decades of Experience and Full Range of Services Ensure Compliance,
Safety and Can Minimize Aircraft Downtime
Neptune Aviation announced on October 2nd, 2023, that
the company is now an authorized Garmin dealer and can
offer its customers Garmin’s line of industry-leading aviation
supplies and avionics solutions, including GPS navigation
systems, transponders, advanced displays, and other
aviation products. Neptune can also deliver comprehensive
Garmin services, including system upgrades, technical
support and maintenance, aircraft painting, and inspections,
making it a one-stop shop for the aviation industry. Having
installed Garmin equipment in its own fleet, Neptune has the
experience to manage aircraft conversions and by providing
ancillary services can help minimize aircraft downtime.
Garmin products on any type of aircraft, including
Becoming an authorized Garmin dealer is a significant helicopters, and experimental craft. Avionics is one of the
milestone for the company, according to Jennifer Draughon, services offered by the company, supported by a world-
President of Neptune Aviation. class maintenance group complemented by painting and
machine shop capabilities.
“Garmin is the future of the aviation industry, particularly
for those seeking to upgrade and extend the life of older Neptune Aviation is staffed with experts trained in Garmin
aircraft. Securing authorization as a Garmin dealer connects product installation and maintenance.
us with the global leader in avionics technology, and we
are working aggressively to become the leading Garmin “At Neptune, we have a team of experts with more than
installation, troubleshooting, and consultants in the Western 145 years of experience in avionics. When we install
United States. This partnership reinforces our commitment new avionics equipment or service existing systems, our
to provide top-tier solutions to our customers and builds customers will know that their aircraft’s safety is our top
on Neptune Aviation’s position as a leader in the aviation priority,” says Christopher Smith, Avionics Manager at
industry,” says Draughon. Neptune Aviation.

Neptune Aviation can now offer Garmin products to Smith adds that in addition to Garmin, Neptune is also
private aircraft owners, businesses, charter jets, and authorized to install and maintain uAvionix, Trig, and
government agencies. They can also install and service BendixKing avionics solutions.

AF 22 | aerialfiremag.com
POWERING THROUGH
Let’s face it. This job’s not for everyone. Aerial firefighting
demands nerves of steel and the power to fly at peak
performance. The PT6 turboprop continues to be the
engine of choice — built for full-load takeoffs in extreme
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 23
Wipaire Receives TSO C27A for
Wipline Composite C13000S Floats
Wipaire announced on October 16, 2023, at this year’s
NBAA-BACE that they have received a Technical Standard
Order [TSO] C27A approval from the FAA for their Wipline
C13000S composite seaplane floats. These floats are for the
DHC-6 Twin Otter Series.
“The TSO is the first step of approval from the Federal
Aviation Administration for our composite float program.
It validates the design and production data submitted by
our development team,” said Brad Kutz, Vice President of
Engineering for Wipaire. “We met our goal of reducing weight
from the existing Wipline 13000 seaplane floats. From here,
we will continue towards FAA approval for installation.”
“We are thrilled to achieve this milestone. We did not
just develop a float; we also gained significant composite
AF 24 | aerialfiremag.com
expertise, which will support the next generation of our
products. I am proud of our engineers and additional
team members’ work on this project. I am excited to
see us approach the finish line as we embark on flight
testing and fine-tuning the fit and finish of this product,
leading to the final Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
for installation on the Twin Otter,” said Chuck Wiplinger,
President and CEO of Wipaire.
What you need to know about the Wipline C13000S
Floats
• They are made of aerospace grade carbon fiber
• This design is for seaplane (straight) floats
• Designed to install on a DHC-6 Twin Otter Series with
same strut package
• First float certified to the recently updated TSO C27A
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 25
Bridger Aerospace Acquires
Ignis Technologies to Expand
Wildland Fire Software Offerings
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. announced Sept
14th, 2023 that it has acquired Ignis Technologies Inc.
(“Ignis”) for $3 million, with an additional contingent earn-
out consideration of up to $9.0 million, paid in the form of
restricted shares of Bridger common stock. Ignis is a fire
technology company delivering mission-critical intelligence
and technology solutions to firefighting organizations.
“The addition of Ignis maximizes the value of Bridger’s
investments in FireTrac and other fire intelligence SaaS
assets, and presents the clearest path to executing on
our shared mission to equip firefighters with the critical
technology they need to reduce the number of lives,
properties and natural habitats lost to wildfire,” commented
Tim Sheehy, Bridger’s Chief Executive Officer.
Ignis was founded by former wildland firefighters who
understand the requirements and the value of real time
wildfire information in the field. The company was created
out of the urgent need for more effective systems to collect,
distribute and communicate actionable intelligence and
situational awareness on wildland fires.
Through collaborative development with federal, state and
local fire organizations, Ignis is developing a pioneering
mobile and web platform that elevates firefighter situational
AF 26 | aerialfiremag.com
awareness, creates an interoperable common operating
picture across firefighting units, and produces real time,
high value data to help fire organizations better manage
wildfire risk.
Terms of the Ignis Transaction:
• Ignis was issued $3 million in restricted common stock
on the closing date, which will vest in equal increments
over a twelve-month period. The price per share issued
was based on a historical 30-day volume weighted
average price.
• Upon the achievement of certain operational metrics by
December 31, 2024, Ignis will be issued an additional
$3 million in restricted common stock, which shares will
vest in equal increments over a twelve-month period,
with the price per share determined based upon a
historical 120-day volume weighted average price at the
time of issuance.
• Upon the successful completion of certain software
integration with FireTrac, Bridger’s proprietary
wildfire data management software, Ignis will be
issued an additional $2 million in restricted common
stock in each of 2024, 2025 and 2026, with the
price per share determined based upon a historical
120-day volume weighted average price at the time
of each issuance.
AFTER
3,000
MISSIONS
We have retired our Twin Commanders from the Air
Attack mission. These aircraft have been an integral
part of our company’s journey and have built their
legacy by supporting wildland firefighting efforts
across the nation. From 2015 to 2023, they completed
over 3,000 Air Attack and Fire Mapping missions.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 27
Helitak and
Rotak Continue
Certification Work
on CH-47 FT-11K Tank
Helitak Firefighting Equipment showed continued progress
on the certification of their CH-47 underbelly tank system
during recent flight testing currently underway in Arizona the
week of October 13th, 2023.
The CH-47 FT-11K tank, was developed in conjunction with
launch customer, Rotak Helicopter Services. The FT-11K
tank debuted at Heli Expo 2023 in Atlanta and has been
conducting flight test evaluation work throughout 2023
in California, Idaho, and Arizona putting Helitak one step
closer to obtaining the STC for the tank which is expected in
November of this year.
The 2900-gallon capacity tank will be the only tank on the
market capable of holding over 2500 gallons which is the
current maximum of existing tanks available for the CH-47.
The FT-11k CH-47 tank will be available with hydraulic and
electric pump fill options.

AF 28 | aerialfiremag.com
Helitak Firefighting Equipment is an award-winning Australian
company based on the Sunshine Coast founded by Engineer
and helicopter pilot Jason Schellaars who has with his team
designed, built, and certified tanks for multiple helicopters
used in aerial firefighting including the UH-60 Black Hawk,
Bell medium range, and many other helicopters that are in use
with government agencies and private operators worldwide.
Helitak continues to be at the forefront of new tank
development with multiple certifications in progress currently
for the Sikorsky S-92, Boeing CH-47, AW-119, AS-350, and
recently developing a tank for the Transall C-160 fixed-wing
aircraft that is currently being transitioned from military
service to civilian firefighting use as a large air tanker for use
in Europe and Australia.
The FT-11K tank is the only CH-47 tank fitted externally
using Helitak’s signature low-profile tank design that uses
an expanding bladder system that allows aircraft with low
clearance under the belly of the aircraft to carry a tank with
no modifications needed to the structure of the aircraft or the
need to raise landing gear.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 29
Black Widow Helicopters and
XP Services Inc. Join Forces to
Launch New Lima+ Black Hawk
In a joint announcement on September 10, 2023,
Black Widow Helicopters and XP Services Inc. proudly
introduced the next evolution of the Black Hawk: the
Lima+. A product of unparalleled experience and
innovation, this UH-60 Black Hawk variant is poised to
redefine industry benchmarks globally.

Black Hawks have become the industry standard for aerial

firefighting and utility operations. The Lima+’s marketing
strength is based on the Black Hawk’s over 15 million
flight hours and proven safety record, an established
legacy support system for the model, and an infusion of
upgrades and design changes to the avionics, engines,
and mission equipment.

The Lima+, which includes the upgraded -701D engines
and IDGB gearbox that gives the Lima+ a 9000 lbs lift
capacity, will be standardized with the state of the art,
FAA IFR Certified, Genesys NVG digital glass cockpit with
HeliSAS autopilot for ease of navigation, a reconfigurable
new cabin that accommodates up to 13 occupants and their
equipment during emergency operations and it will also be
equipped with the Aerometals Inlet Barrier Filter as well as
the lightweight exhaust system and the GPMS Foresight
Predictive HUMS.
The integrated health monitoring system (HUMS), could
give operators a significant advantage in maximizing
dispatchability while minimizing downtime and maintenance
costs. After each flight, accurate diagnostics and early
problem detection is available, enabling preventive
maintenance measures to be taken before any catastrophic
failures can occur.
Offered in three distinct build models – Commercial Utility,
Public Safety, and MILSPEC, the Lima+ ensures adaptability,
tailoring each build to mission-specific requirements.
“The UH-60 is a rugged and reliable platform for military
and special mission operators and bringing these legacy
aircraft out of military retirement and adding the latest
innovation has to offer by adding capabilities like three-axis
autopilot, synthetic vision (SV), highway in the sky (HITS),
improved datalink weather, or localizer performance with
vertical guidance (LPV) approaches, extends their utility and
reliability to a level on par with — if not better than — new
helicopters” said Rod Allison, CEO of XP Services.
The significant improvements of the Lima+ variant will make
it better at all of those missions while also easier on the pilot
workload. The Lima+ will be type-certified with XP Services
for commercial restricted category operators.
“We are thrilled to bring an industry-leading and cost-
effective upgrade to the Black Hawk which the market has
been demanding for quite some time,” said Todd Dunphy,
Chief Operating Officer of Black Widow Helicopters.
“We will be displaying a Lima+ technology demonstrator
at HAI 2024 in Anaheim, CA. Together with XP Services
and Primehawx, we are ready to build Lima+ models
immediately as we have a fleet of 28 Sikorsky UH-60L
available for modifications” Dunphy continued.
With the Lima+, the iconic Black Hawk seamlessly
transitions into the 21st Century, exemplifying the perfect
marriage of heritage and innovation.
The Lima+ will be built and modified with custom
mission configurations in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and
Camarillo, California.

AF 30 | aerialfiremag.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 31
California Air Guard Mobilized
for Aerial Firefighting
by Master Sgt. Nicholas Carzis, 146 Airlift Wing, Public Affairs,
California Air National Guard
Two C-130J Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-
equipped aircraft assigned to the California Air National
Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve’s
302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs, are mobilizing
to Klamath Falls Airtanker Base in Oregon to help fight
wildfires.
First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), U.S. Northern
Command’s Air Component Command, oversees the
Department of Defense aerial firefighting MAFFS program,
which offers a “surge” capability to the U.S. Forest Service.
The increase in major fires prompted the request for
continued MAFFS assets. More than 20,400 personnel are
supporting 58 of the active large wildland fires across the
continental United States.
The 302AW and the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd
Airlift Wing delivered the first aerial firefighting sorties in
early August with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of
Land Management, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing then
rotated in to replace maintenance and aircrews supporting
the MAFFS mission.
As of Aug. 30, all four of the U.S. Air Force’s component
MAFFS wings, including the Wyoming Air National Guard’s
153rd Airlift Wing, will have traversed to Klamath Falls
Airtanker Base to support wildfire suppression during the
MAFFS program’s 50th anniversary.
AF 32 | aerialfiremag.com
MAFFS has dropped more than 161,000 gallons of fire
retardant in over 60 aerial firefighting sorties this fire season.
Col. Christopher F. Dougherty, commander of the 146th
Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, says his wing is
always ready to support wildfire suppression efforts.
“The enduring partnership between the U.S. Forest Service,
Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve is truly special,”
he said. “Our unwavering commitment to supporting the
people of our states and nation in times of natural disaster
has been demonstrated repeatedly over the past 50 years
and will continue well into the future.”
For those 50 years, the DOD has chosen the military C-130
to support the MAFFS mission. The C-130 Hercules aircraft
assigned to the MAFFS program can drop up to 3,000
gallons of fire retardant in less than 10 seconds across a
quarter-mile line. The system slides into the back of the
military aircraft, and retardant is released through a nozzle
on the rear left side.
MAFFS aircraft are only activated when all commercial
airtankers that are part of the national airtanker fleet are fully
committed or not readily available.
The National Interagency Fire Center is the nation’s support
center for wildland firefighting. Agencies and organizations that
are part of NIFC include the Bureau of Land Management,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Weather
Service, U.S. Fire Administration, National Association of State
Foresters, and state emergency response agencies.
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 33
Louisiana Guard Aviation Assets
Drop Over 1 Million Gallons of
Water to Combat Wildfires
by Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
Since Louisiana National Guard aviation assets began water-
drop missions on August 23, 2023, LANG and Emergency
Management Assistance Compact helicopter crews have
dropped more than 1.1 million gallons of water in support
of the effort to combat wildfires that have affected several
parishes in western Louisiana.

As with any state of emergency, the LANG is prepared to

provide support to civilian authorities throughout Louisiana
to protect key assets and ensure the health and public safety
of the citizens of Louisiana.

LANG and EMAC helicopter crews are continuing their mission

of water-drop operations in Beauregard, Sabine, and Vernon
Parishes in coordination with the Louisiana Department of
Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office,
and local agencies in fighting the wildfires in the region.
The helicopter crews have utilized bambi buckets, which
allow them to draw water from any open water source in
extremely remote locations, to carry and drop water onto
fires. The versatility of the helicopter and bambi bucket
combination allows crews to maximize the number of water
drops performed during their on-station time.
The augmentation to the LANG aerial firefighting efforts,
through EMAC support from the Oklahoma, Tennessee,
Alabama, and Arkansas National Guard, has resulted in
a rotation of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and CH-47
Chinook helicopters that have provided over 385 flight hours
of aid from the time LANG assets were activated in response
to the wildfires.
LANG and EMAC Soldiers are anticipated to accumulate
record statistics for Louisiana as they continue to support
efforts towards these relief efforts.

AF 34 | aerialfiremag.com
SUPPRESSING
WILDFIRES.
SUPPORTING
FIREFIGHTERS.
The Future of Aerial Firefighting: The Dash 8-400AT
Fast, fuel efficient and tactically flexible. A modern
airtanker with a 10,000 litre / 2,642 US gallon capacity
to drop water, retardant, or gel over diverse geography.
Setting the standard for Next Generation aircraft with
OEM support to keep the firefighter flying for decades.

Photo: Alexandre Dubath

conair.ca

aerialfiremag.com | AF 35
DART and United Rotorcraft Partner
for Aerial Firefighting Innovation
DART Aerospace announced on October 18th, 2023, at
the Aerial Firefighting Europe show, a new partnership with
United Rotorcraft, aimed at the development of an advanced
aerial firefighting system tailored for the Airbus Super Puma
family of helicopters.
The new aerial firefighting system will consist of a fixed,
external belly-mounted water tank with a capacity of 4000L
(1056 gal) and system controls located in the cockpit.
United Rotorcraft will also develop multi-mission equipment
packages to extend the year-round value of the helicopter
platform for operator-specific requirements. A key objective
includes certification by FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada
Supplemental Type Certificates (STC).
“This partnership solidifies DART’s position as a leader in
the helicopter mission equipment industry. Together, United
Rotorcraft and DART are reaffirming our commitment to
delivering superior solutions to the firefighting market”,
stated Alain Madore, President of DART Aerospace.
“Our purpose at United Rotorcraft is to provide
emergency responders the tools needed to save lives and
AF 36 | aerialfiremag.com
protect property and the environment—something that
we share at our core with DART Aerospace,” said United
Rotorcraft President Larry Alexandre. “We are excited
to be partnering with such a driven leader in the world
of aviation to bring further innovation and versatility to
the global aerial firefighting community by adding to our
existing product portfolio.”
Currently, the companies leverage their experience
in producing similar aerial firefighting capabilities
for other Type 1 helicopters. The new Super Puma
system, an extension of their aerial firefighting solution
portfolios, will provide the market with crucial wildfire
attack capability for Type 1 rotorcraft, where there
is an estimated 25% capacity gap globally. With this
long-term agreement, the team will identify and meet
additional market requirements with a type-certified
aerial firefighting system for operators of the Super
Puma helicopter family, including new and legacy
Airbus H225 and AS332 aircraft. Targeted end users
include government agencies and commercial operators
worldwide, requiring a highly effective multi-mission
solution.
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 37
Improving Data for Aerial Firefighters
by Bethany Patch
A collaborative research project is improving the data used
by aerial firefighters to find nearby water sources.
During active bushfires, aerial firefighting units are dispatched
by members of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC).
NAFC members use a variety of data sources to find suitable
nearby water sources for firefighting helicopters and fixed-wing
aircraft. It is critical for effective decision-making that the
most current and accurate data about the location of water is
available as quickly as possible.
The Identifying Water Sources For Aerial Firefighting project
is a collaboration between NAFC/AFAC, Natural Hazards
Research Australia, Geoscience Australia (GA) and FrontierSI
that is improving the reliability and clarity of information
about water bodies by adding recently observed water and
currency attributes to datasets used by firefighters.
CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia Andrew Gissing
highlighted the benefit of collaborative research when
advancing Australia’s bushfire planning technology.
“This project is a great example of ways we can work together
to serve emergency management and the community through
high-impact research,” he said. “The project team from
Natural Hazards Research Australia, NAFC, GA and FrontierSI
has delivered new scientific knowledge that’s actionable and
useful in keeping our communities safe from bushfire.”
The first phase of this project – now complete – focused
on extending an earlier proof-of-concept project developed
through the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. A workshop
in February 2023 gathered perspectives from several key
AF 38 | aerialfiremag.com
emergency management agencies across Australia about
the ways they currently use waterbody datasets and how
these datasets might be improved for bushfire pre-planning
decisions.
Users provided insights into new information and software
requirements, operational suitability and additional
waterbody attributes (such as waterbody features, dataset
currency, surrounding environment and biosecurity risks)
that would strengthen the relevance and accuracy of existing
waterbody datasets.
Following this, the project team (managed by Anthony
Gallacher at NAFC) delivered a method to augment GA’s
Digital Earth Australia satellite-based data products with the
latest water availability information to meet NAFC’s needs.
This significantly improves the accuracy of agencies’
knowledge about nearby water and provides critical support to
disaster management planning to facilitate rapid and effective
bushfire response. In the past, data about nearby waterbodies
might have been months or years old, but now this
information is updated regularly and can be easily accessed.
The new system:
• identifies aircraft-accessible waterbodies
• contributes to aircraft selection and allocation based on
access to water
• contributes to efficient use of aircraft
• provides information to air desks, air bases and air
crews to help their situational awareness and decision-
making.
Reprinted with permission from Asia Pacific Fire Magazine.
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when Fortress aerial fire retardants were fully approved and listed on the
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intensive research and development, Fortress entered the fire retardant
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Visit FortressFRS.com to learn more. aerialfiremag.com | AF 39

 During the spring and summer of 2023, a concerned
world watched as Canada burned. Toxic smoke from 29
mega-fires, each exceeding 100,000 hectares in size,
smothered cities across the country, reached across the
border into the U.S., impacting millions of American lives,
and, eventually, travelled as far as Norway.
By the time September came, more than 6,000 fires
had devoured 16.5 million hectares of land – nearly
twice the size of Portugal. Dismay, at records being
broken and never-before statistics accumulating, was
AF 40 | aerialfiremag.com
tempered as officials looked optimistically to the coming
rainy season to help douse the fires.
But, despite cooler fall weather, the fires kept burning
– helping to validate some experts who believe, that,
there will be no more fire “seasons,” only fire years.
By the middle of October, evacuation notices were still
being issued due to fires encroaching on populated
areas and it became clear that some fires would likely
burn throughout the winter in a country known for its
frigid temperatures, ice, and snow.
Will Increased Risk
Bring Canada’s Air
Force into the Aerial
Wildfire Fight?
by Nancy Argyle
Locally, in small Canadian towns and large cities alike,
some questioned the firefighting strategy used by
wildfire agencies. Cities were choked with the worst
air quality on the planet while other areas endured
significant losses through property destruction and
impacts to livelihoods. On social media, armchair
critics were plentiful along with numerous messages of
gratitude and support for firefighters.
Of course, the big question on everyone’s mind was
whether this season was a one-off perfect firestorm of
factors or whether 2023 was a harbinger of things to
come.
As Canada experienced its warmest May to July period
in more than 80 years, southern Quebec burst into
flames, burning more land than in the previous 20 years
combined. According to a World Weather Attribution
study, wildfire-prone weather conditions in Quebec were
50 percent more intense this year over previous years. In
other words, buckle up because the wild ride that 2023
fires produced could become the new norm. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 41
Wildfires Cause Substantial Harm to People
and Animals
As the second largest country in the world and home to 30%
of the world’s forests, Canada has more than a few trees –
trees that have been experiencing drought and higher than
normal temperatures for some time now. Drought-stressed
trees are far less resistant to fire and can contribute to more
extreme fire behavior. Combined with non-typical weather
patterns, the stage was set to make these severe wildfires
more frequent.
As the 2023 fires unfolded, provincial wildfire agencies
across Canada realized that they needed more resources
and reached out to mutual aid partners and the international
wildfire fighting community. Nearly a dozen countries
responded sending firefighters from the United States,
Mexico, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica,
Spain, South Africa, and Korea. This is a common strategy
which, in some cases, sees Canada sending its firefighters to
help other countries in need.
Despite the influx of help, many believed it was not enough.
There were not enough aircraft, not enough pilots, and not
enough boots on the ground. Wind and lightening storms
created chaos at every turn and the season dragged on
mercilessly with fire after fire. At times, firefighters made
spectacular saves – successfully stopping the flames, at the
last minute, as they approached a home’s patio furniture in
one example. At other times, firefighters retreated to a safe
location as homes were engulfed.
The losses mounted and the harm increased as communities
expressed their lack of trust and a feeling of being let down.
Told to evacuate, some felt compelled to stay since they
knew there would be very little resources available to help
save their homes. At times, interactions became tense
between the RCMP (police), wildfire managers and the
public. Insufficient resources were clearly impacting public
safety in more ways than one.
The Role of Military Helicopters in Wildfires
In British Columbia (B.C.), a Canadian province that hugs
the Pacific coastline and boasts jaw-dropping mountain
ranges, crystal white sandy beaches and dense lush forests,
the government wildfire service is both well-trained and
very experienced in dealing with massive wildfires. Even
so, that didn’t prevent an independent review from being
ordered to assess the 2023 firefighting effort – a review that
was first demanded by local officials from B.C. fire-ravaged
communities.
B.C.’s wildfire crisis arrived decades earlier than experts
forecast, with the province seeing its four worst-ever fire
AF 42 | aerialfiremag.com
seasons in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. In the case of
2023, the numbers were staggering and amounted to the
most destructive and costly of all fire seasons with 25,000
sq. kilometres burned at a cost of $770 million to fight (a
final tally for the 2023/24 fiscal year is expected to reach
$966 million).
With significant public outcry and media coverage, the
loss of public confidence in some communities was clear.
What was less clear is that Canada still had one resource
that provinces, like B.C., could have used if it had been
available – a military option that more than 50 other
countries, including the USA, the United Kingdom and
many parts of Europe and South America, already used
in their firefighting strategy – but, mystifyingly, one that
Canada didn’t.
To be fair, it was only in the last couple of years that anyone
realized how many military forces around the globe were
used as an aerial wildfire resource – a fact that was revealed
when the manufacturer of the Bambi Bucket, SEI Industries,
decided to survey their international dealers to find out who
was buying their product.
For more than 40 years, the Bambi Bucket has captured
90% of the world market share and become a much-
valued tool in the aerial firefighting arsenal but it still
came as a bit of a surprise to learn that more than 50
military forces had decided to equip their fleets with
Bambi Buckets, allowing them to participate as a much-
needed resource in fighting wildfires. While countries
use this option in different ways (some as surge capacity,
some as first response until commercial operators arrived),
the result is the same – an instant boost to the number of
aircraft working a fire.
Although Canada’s military helicopters often deploy to
wildfires to assist with the movement of people and
equipment, the aircraft do not actually fly any firefighting
missions. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), with its
fleet of more than 100 capable and proven helicopters, are
not equipped with Bambi Buckets, or any other kind of fire
suppression capability that could help civilian authorities
in emergencies. Ironically, the Bambi Bucket is 100%
Canadian, having been invented and manufactured in B.C.
since its inception.
“At present, we have one untapped resource, namely
100 military helicopters, that could become an option of
last resort. Sadly, Canada is behind 50 other countries
who have already taken advantage of that option,” says
Paul Reichard, remote site division manager at SEI
Industries. ➤
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The Value of Surge
Capacity
In the U.S., California has
engaged the state’s military
program, the California National
Guard (CNG), in its wildland fire
operations for several decades.
Dan Reese, former CAL FIRE
deputy chief (retired) of tactical
air operations, says the aircraft
from CNG are mission-tasked
through the California Office of
Emergency Services (OES)
upon request from CAL FIRE.
“This typically occurs when
all other assets have been
depleted, where the CNG
aircraft and crews are needed
to provide a surge capacity,”
he notes.
AF 44 | aerialfiremag.com
CAL FIRE is the agency responsible for training,
staffing, and outfitting the CNG for the wildfire
mission which entails the use of Bambi Buckets.
“During my tenure, the Bambi Bucket was the
mainstay of CAL FIRE’s helicopter fleet and was a
natural, proven selection to provide the CNG. The
evolution and options available for the Bambi Bucket
made it an easy fit for the CNG fleet, comprised of
LUH-72s, UH-60s and CH-47s,” says Reese.
CAL FIRE staffs the CNG helicopters with experienced
aerial firefighters, who annually qualify and train
with the CNG crews for all mission sets. This annual
training incorporates bucket operations, maintenance,
and troubleshooting procedures to ensure seamless
operations. Various bucket configurations are used
including those with Torrentula valves and those with
snorkels to assist in shallow water dips. Using Bambi
Buckets with valves allows pilots to titrate the volume
being lifted so that more volume can be handled as fuel
is burned off. ➤
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“As surge capacity, there were many occasions where the
CNG aircraft were the only ones available for fires and
for staffing of vacant heli-bases to engage in initial attack
operations,” says Reese. “It was not uncommon for me
to hear from other agencies and my own about the
effectiveness of these crews.”
Armed with the knowledge that the military option
works very successfully in other countries, SEI Industries
has contacted numerous government officials, both
provincially and federally, to propose that Canada consider
doing the same.
“With the utmost respect for all that our military pilots
already do, we hope our proposed idea of integrating
them into wildfire fighting as surge capacity will act as
a catalyst to better protect communities and natural
resources as well as, hopefully, increase recruitment and
AF 46 | aerialfiremag.com
support for the RCAF,” says Robin Cnudde, a regional
manager with SEI Industries.
With a worldwide shortage of pilots, the military option
not only provides aircraft but also pilots as well. During
the explosive 2023 B.C. fire season, many commercial
pilots were already sitting out monthly duty time
restrictions by June – very early in the fire season. While
commercial operators and machines sat at idle waiting for
the clock to start over, military aircraft could have been
working the fires in their place.
And, when two ferocious urban interface wildfires blew
up in B.C.’s Okanagan and Shuswap areas, destroying
nearly 400 homes, it’s a safe bet that civilian officials
and residents would have celebrated the arrival of any
military helicopters, equipped and ready to engage in the
firefight.
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 47
Bridger Aerospace Successful in Bid to
Acquire Four Spanish Super Scoopers,
Expanding Operations into Europe
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. announced
September 20th, 2023, that it successfully bid via a
public tender process to purchase four Canadair CL-215T
Amphibious Aircraft from the Spanish Ministry for Ecological
Transition and Demographic Challenge. The addition of the
Spanish aircraft to Bridger’s existing Scooper fleet increases
Bridger’s Scooper fleet to 10 Scoopers, making Bridger the
largest private owner of CL-215T/415 Super Scoopers in
the world. Additionally, with the anticipated closing of the
acquisition of Bighorn Airways, Inc. in 2023, Bridger’s total
wildfire fighting fleet will consist of 32 planes.
“Bridger’s mission is to save lives and fight fires wherever
they occur, and growing our water bombing fleet by 66%
gives us the ability to protect more communities globally
against the growing threat of wildfires,” commented Tim
Sheehy, Bridger’s Chief Executive Officer. “We hope to have
the first two Scooper aircraft available for the 2024 fire
season, with the additional Scooper aircraft available as
soon as upgrades are made to those airframes, and we look
forward to supporting efforts to provide wildfire protection to
European communities.”
Per the terms of the tender, Bridger will purchase the four
Scoopers from the Spanish government for €40 million, and
AF 48 | aerialfiremag.com
the closing of the acquisition will occur in accordance with
the Spanish public tender process.
“With the scarcity of aerial firefighting assets at an
all-time high, this purchase represents a strategic and
transformative step for Bridger and the global firefighting
market as a whole. We have seen rising demand for
our Scoopers internationally in recent years, and we
look forward to deploying these assets globally,” added
Sheehy.
The CL-215T/415 Super Scooper is the safest, most cost-
effective and only purpose-built aerial firefighting asset
in the world. The amphibious aircraft skims the surface
of a body of water to scoop water into onboard tanks to
drop on a fire. The purposeful design of the Super Scooper
allows for an aggressive low-altitude flight profile, which
enables pilots to deliver their drops with more precision,
hitting the fire harder and extinguishing it faster. Super
Scoopers can scoop up to 1,412 gallons of water in
approximately 10 seconds and, with 90% of wildfires
within 20 miles of a major water source, Super Scoopers
provide an extremely effective tool to economically and
expeditiously deliver water to a fire without having to
return to an airport to refill the water tanks.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 49
Aerial
Firefighting
Europe 2023
Greece Shines
by Ryan Mason,
Photos by John Pitsakis

The third installment for the year of the Tangent Link Aerial
Firefighting show was held in Lagonissi, Greece, on October
17 and 18, 2023, bringing industry professionals from
Europe together with over fifty vendors to form the conference
and trade show portion of this year’s Greece show held just
outside of Athens at the picturesque Grand Resort Lagonissi.
Tangent Link, as organizers, put together yet another stellar
event hosted on the Mediterranean beaches surrounding
the resort. Attendees were in high spirits during the opening
reception sponsored by AerialFire overlooking the sunset
in Lagonissi. The mood continued through day one as the
opening address commenced, given by event chair Lieutenant
Colonel Zisoula Ntasiou, Duty Officer Unit 2, National
Coordination Center for Operations & Crisis Management,
Hellenic Fire Service, Greece & Professor Dr. Johann
Goldammer, Director, Global Fire Monitoring Center, Germany
to a packed conference room of industry professionals.

AF 50 | aerialfiremag.com
The conference portion of the event remained packed
throughout the show as dozens of presenters provided
valuable content focusing on critical topics that affect the
firefighting fraternity throughout Europe and the world
through three sessions.
Day one concluded with a demonstration of the abilities
of the S-64 Erickson Air Crane in front of all conference
attendees as the aircraft performed multiple drops in front
of a wowed crowd, some of whom had never seen the Air
Crane in action live. Erickson works as a key international
provider of firefighting services, providing ten Air Cranes for
firefighting operations in Greece annually. Greece suffered
one of its most devastating fire seasons in 2023, spiking an
increase in foreign aircraft usage nationwide.
Day two saw many vendor visits and interest on the trade
floor from attendees meeting with dozens of vendors. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 51
At the same time, the conference entered its second day of
multiple sessions that continued to offer valuable learning
opportunities for attendees and continued interest from
attendees on the trade show floor—the second and final day
concluded with the event dinner, where those in attendance
were given a presentation from X-Prize, an initiative to
develop further firefighting technology to improve global
firefighting response before dancing the night away.
“The global AFF mission is evolving rapidly in a multi-
dimensional way. The mission and need are growing
rapidly, structural shortages in critical areas need to be
addressed, and new technologies are offering significant
AF 52 | aerialfiremag.com
mission enhancements. Against this backdrop, Agencies and
regulatory bodies are working hard to manage these needs
and challenges. The Tangent Link global AFF series has the
goal of supporting all stakeholders in their critical missions,
and providing an environment for learning, collaboration
and enhanced outcomes”. stated John Longhurst, CEO of
Tangent Link.
Despite having triple the workload of previous years, the
Tangent Link team delivered yet another stellar event in Greece.
Those in attendance will undoubtedly be looking forward to
the next installment of the Aerial Firefighting Americas show in
Sacramento, California, March 6-8, 2024.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 53
AF 54 | aerialfiremag.com
AF 56 | aerialfiremag.com
aerialfiremag.com | AF 57
AF 58 | aerialfiremag.com
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RAMIFICATIONS OF THE MUNDANE
How Good Crew Resource Management
Catches Errors Before Harm Can Occur
By Nat Drew
Nervous excitement abounds as training has commenced
for the Aerial Incendiary Operations Supervisors and today
is the first day in the air, with a focus on mission pattern
and team resource management. As the crisp autumn
wind rages around me, I regret not wearing an additional
thermal layer. Distracted by the cold, I wiggle my fingers
to get my blood to circulate down to my fingertips. I need
the dexterity to be able to operate the three cameras
I have resting in my lap and fastened to my person.
Securely strapped into the seat where the incendiary
machine would typically sit, I am posed, ready to capture
all the action.
Coming up to the crest of the hills, the helicopter banks
slightly to the left as I raise my hands to the camera, ready
to capture all the action about to unfold before me. With the
doors off, the noise of the rotors and wind is deafening. As
we turn the treetops engulf my view and I am dazzled by
their rich array of colors, when suddenly, I am overcome with
a complete sense of dread. Perplexed by this feeling, I search
for meaning….the reason, which I quickly find, as I see my
seat belt is undone. I am no longer secured to the aircraft.
The gentle turn gazing at the autumn leaves below now feels
like a rally car slamming into a 90-degree bend.
I fumble around with numb fingers attempting to reconnect
the seatbelt back together. In what felt like an eternity, but
was just mere seconds, I finally clipped back in. I dart
my eyes around the cockpit to see if anyone has noticed
my mistake. Am I about to be reprimanded or worse….
ridiculed? Luckily, everyone was concentrating on the
mission and no one noticed my mishap.
As we duck down between the hills, the pilot looks over
his shoulder to the crew and begins to discuss the mission
objectives with the incident supervisor. Again, I raise my
hands to the camera, ready to capture all the action. As I
lock eyes with the pilot I am again flooded with a sensation
of complete dread. My seat belt has disconnected again.
Wide-eyed in horror I motion to the pilot as he steadies the
aircraft. I frantically fumble for the seatbelt connectors, but
the cold wind and the gasping stares of the crew delay my
fine motor skills as the metal ends thrash against the frame
of the helicopter.
AF 60 | aerialfiremag.com
I requested the pilot to find a place to land, one instance
of the seatbelt coming unfastened was unusual, but twice.
What on earth is going on?
As aviators, we have all been hit over the head by James
Reason with his Swiss Cheese model for explaining human
failure. Generally, it isn’t just one error/violation that leads
to an accident, injury, or death; it’s a sequence of errors,
lapses, or violations that, when all lined up in a fatal order,
create the perfect environment for one to slip through. Watch
any program on aircraft investigation and we see that small,
mundane errors line up to cascade into a perfect domino
– that can bring down the highest of tech, the biggest of
dollars, and the uppermost of skills.
Aircraft accident report history is lined with fallen iPads,
a fractured bolt, a piece of poorly placed tape, or simple
miscommunication.
Having landed in a grass paddock I assess the situation.
Every time I raise my left arm up to my camera, the seat
belt comes undone, but why? Earlier that day my colleague
had fitted a 360 camera into the cockpit and hit record –
we wanted the students to review footage of their mission
so that they could see where they could improve. That now
seems irrelevant. What I want to know is why was this
helicopter so keen to spit me out.
I press play on the footage and the culprit is revealed. It’s
me! Well, more accurately the sleeve of my fire jacket. As
I raise my hands to the camera the cuff of the jacket gets
hooked in the flap of the seat belt, raising it up and setting
me “free” (a feeling that is magnified flying without doors).
Reflecting back to Team Resource Management it occurred to
me that the holes in the cheese were lining up…Doors off, full
aircraft, banking turn, the flapping cuff on my shirt, leading to an
undone seat belt. This was all that was holding me back from the
brink of eternal nothingness, something as mundane as the cuff
of my sleeve. If a few more holes in the Swiss cheese had lined
up I could have found myself in a short and sharp freefall.
Back at base, I shared the experience with those around me –
people with decades of expertise, experience, and training, and it
became apparent that this wasn’t an isolated experience. ➤
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Others shared similar occurrences of
seat belts coming loose by mistake.
What did you do? Did you report
it? Was it reviewed? Why was it
happening? - I asked.

Back to the Swiss cheese

with James. We see that an
organization’s defenses against
failure or errors are represented
by the individual slices of cheese.
The holes in the cheese represent
potential weaknesses or failure
points. The system produces
failures when all the holes in
all the slices momentarily align,
enabling the ‘error’ to pass
straight through.

For one reason or another, my

colleagues each hadn’t reported or
actioned it.

In another life, I worked as a

Registered Nurse. As a new
graduate, the unit manager once
said to me “You’re a human, you
will make mistakes. The mistake
isn’t the problem, it’s when you
cover it up or keep repeating it,
that’s the problem”.

In nursing, as in aviation, small

mistakes can have ramifications if
they are not exposed. I didn’t speak
up the first time it happened as I
was embarrassed. Others hadn’t
acted on it in the past as the
problem is quickly fixed (and much
more a non-event when the doors
are on).

All humans will make mistakes. Highly trained and
competent people still make mistakes. Human error will
occur.
So how gracious will the universe be with me in the future?
Will I always be provided the time and opportunity to learn
from my errors and faults?
When disaster could happen in an instant, crews need to
be able to recognize when the holes start to appear. The
quick communication of these ‘holes’ is essential so that an
appropriate action can occur. Even when you cannot put a
label or name to the issue, if something feels off, such as a
‘sensation of complete dread’ – we need to ‘recognize trigger
feelings and language’ as signs of potential harm so that we
can divert to a safe location in which we can analyze the
situation and react in an appropriate manner to fix the issue.
Nat Drew is a former nurse and current aviation
professional working in a government operation in Australia
who also writes about her aviation experience and aviation
safety topics.

AF 62 | aerialfiremag.com
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Lowest Price Technically Acceptable
Perspectives from Both Sides and How We Move Forward
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) is a government
contracting method in which the award is made to the
bidder with the lowest price that meets the government’s
technical requirements. LPTA is increasingly being used by
civilian agencies, but it is not without its challenges.

Government Perspective
“The lowest bidder is not always the best choice, but it is
often the easiest choice.” - The Government Finance Officers
Association

The Forest Service (FS) and Department of Interior (DoI) are

using LPTA more often because not only is it is a way to deal
with the limited funds available for “preparedness” contracts
provided by Congress, but it also reduces the complexity
of the procurement process. Best Value evaluations require
technical experts with the knowledge and availability to
document the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal.
It also requires forethought on the tradeoffs the government
is willing to make to pay a higher (or lower) price. An LPTA
evaluation is relatively easy to execute, typically with go/no
factors on technical requirements and often with no review
of price other than reasonableness (which is determining
that a price is not too high).
The key to LPTA being successful is making sure that the
technical requirements have been defined to reflect the
minimum requirements the government needs. While many
often think this is the bottom of the barrel, it should be
just the opposite. The idea with LPTA is that bidders are
providing the same equipment capability, level of service
and performance. Contractors who are poor performers or
who don’t have the right equipment shouldn’t meet the
government’s technical requirements if they are written
correctly. Think of it as going to multiple car dealers to buy
the same type (SUV), size (mid) and trim level (leather and
mobile-phone compatibility) for a car so you can buy from
whomever will give you the best price.
Basically, the simplicity and low protest risk make it an
attractive option for agencies with limited procurement
resources. In addition, recent audit findings have shown that
the Forest Service’s historical contracting processes are not
entirely compliant with today’s regulations and awarding
contracts using LPTA is a solution to those problems as well. ➤

AF 64 | aerialfiremag.com
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Industry Perspective
“The lowest bidder is not always the best contractor.
Sometimes, the lowest bidder is the least experienced, the
least qualified, or the least capable.” - The U.S. Government
Accountability Office
Industry is concerned that LPTA can lead to lower quality
products and services, giving the industry a bad reputation
and putting safety at risk. This is because companies may
be tempted to cut corners on quality to offer the lowest
price. The aerial firefighting industry has been through tough
times over the years due to incidents and no one wants to
replicate what’s happened in the past. They see LPTA as
“encouraging” poor maintenance and training practices to get
a contract.
Additionally, LPTA can make it difficult for new entrants
or even seasoned companies to compete, as these
companies may not be able to offer the lowest prices
when there are no guarantees that there will be work.
Contractors who do not have exclusive use contracts
must spend significant amounts of money to maintain
their aircraft and pilot readiness for a call that may never
come. These costs are not reimbursed by the government
and can’t usually be covered by other customers because
the government IS the only customer. LPTA can make
it difficult for companies to make a profit or even cover
fixed costs, as they may be forced to bid at unsustainable
prices to win contracts. Reducing competition is not
typically an outcome the government is looking for when
using LPTA, but in the aerial fire industry, it’s a looming
possibility.
How to Move Forward
“The lowest bidder is not always the best way to get the best
value for your money. Government agencies need to consider
all of their options and make the best decision for their
taxpayers.” - Anonymous
AF 66 | aerialfiremag.com
There are a few steps that can be taken to address the
concerns about LPTA:
Government
Use price realism in the evaluation of proposals, even when
using LPTA. This means considering the cost of meeting
the government’s technical requirements, as well as the
cost of any other factors that are important to the agency,
such as quality, performance, and risk. This requires the
government to understand what the actual costs are, not to
just compare what price was paid previously. Proposals that
have unrealistic prices can be removed from consideration,
even in LPTA.
Allow for more flexibility in the technical requirements, so
that contractors can offer innovative solutions that may be
more expensive but also more beneficial to the government.
For example, an agency could allow contractors to propose
alternative technical solutions that meet the agency’s needs
in a different way.
Allow for more flexibility in pricing. Contracts that require
a contractor to be ready to provide service at short notice
with no guarantees does have a cost, so including a certain
number of flight hours in the availability rate or even
allowing different rates when minimums are met could save
the government in the long run and provide more stability for
the contractor.
Invest in training and resources for staff who create
requirements, evaluate proposals, and oversee contractors’
performance. This will help them better define the technical
requirements and to evaluate proposals more effectively.
Work with industry to develop performance-based contracts.
This type of contract rewards contractors for meeting specific
performance goals, rather than simply for meeting the
government’s minimum technical requirements.
Develop a more comprehensive understanding of the
marketplace. This will help the government to set realistic
technical requirements and to understand the costs of
meeting those requirements. A contract must cover a
contractor’s fixed costs if the contractor has any hope of
remaining in business.

Industry
Be more transparent and vocal about pricing. Contractors
should be willing to explain the factors that are driving
their prices and to justify their pricing decisions to the
government. Insist on inflation indexing for items other than
fuel and make sure wage determinations and resulting rates
are updated, as allowable.
Form partnerships with other companies. This can help
Work with the government to develop innovative solutions that companies to reduce costs and to offer more innovative
meet the government’s needs. This may involve collaborating solutions to the government.
with other companies or proposing alternative technical solutions.
In the end, aerial firefighters and the government want the
Participate in industry associations and government same thing-to support the firefighter on the ground. By
initiatives that are working to improve the quality of working together, the government and industry can develop
government contracting. For example, the United Aerial a contracting process that is fair, efficient, and effective.
Firefighters Association (UAFA) has a Government and This will help to ensure that the government is getting the
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aerialfiremag.com | AF 67
New EO/IR Capabilities Elevate
Airborne Missions
By Larry Krieg, Director of Sales, Teledyne FLIR
Airborne surveillance missions span a wide range of
activities, from search and rescue and high-speed pursuit,
to maritime patrols and fighting wildfires. Regardless of
the environment, operators still have an overriding need to
‘see’ more (but without data overload) and act faster. As
technology grows, operators expect their EO/IR systems to
push the envelope in terms of image clarity, target tracking,
and more, in order to save lives and protect communities.
How can operators do more and expedite critical decisions
without encountering information overload? It was important
to our customers that Teledyne FLIR Defense provide a path
forward for them to adapt new technology without replacing
their legacy 380 series equipment.
That’s where the new Star SAFIRE® 380X comes in.
The 380X provides advanced image aiding capabilities in
AF 68 | aerialfiremag.com
a single LRU and is available in our Star SAFIRE 380-HD
and 380-HDc systems. These intelligent imaging features
are also available as a hardware, firmware, and software
upgrade to an existing 380-HD or 380-HDc system. Its
impressive enhancements reduce operator workload and
boost visibility for faster, and smarter, critical-decision
making.
Some of the key advanced imaging capabilities the 380X
provides operators include:
• Better Clarity: Operators can see more details with the
380X’s de-scintillation filter that removes atmospheric
effects to reveal fine details otherwise hard to detect—
such as deciphering objects on the ground or details on
a building
• Multiple Video Management: This feature allows
operators to view multiple video sources simultaneously,
 including all camera payloads, plus external video
input—for example, allowing the air unit to have a live-
feed of a secondary visual from a drone
• New User Interface: Operators can now navigate menus
with customizable icon-based graphics to expedite
inputs when needed
• Improved Targeting: The 380X enhancement has a
Moving Target Indicator (MTI) which helps identify
threats earlier and more definitively, alongside advanced
auto tracking (AAT)
The 380X builds upon the pedigree of our Star SAFIRE
gimbal systems, which for years have provided superior
image stabilization and ultra-long-range imaging performance
for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), law
enforcement (LE), search and rescue (SAR), border patrol,
maritime patrol, force protection, and airborne firefighting
missions.
For airborne firefighting, being able to see through smoke
is critical. The InfraRed (IR) sensor of the 380X allows
operators to see what smoke typically obscures in an EO
payload. Observing fires moving in real-time from the air
can be the difference when it comes to directing ground
firefighters – who need to get into the incident, and
leadership – who need data to make real-time decisions. In
addition to IR, the Short-Wave InfraRed (SWIR) sensor not
only sees through smoke but minimizes the “blooming” that
can occur close to flames with even a standard IR sensor
due to the excessive heat present.
Our de-scintillation filter also removes atmospheric
obscurants adding additional clarity and resolution to the
sensor. The system also integrates perfectly with airborne
moving map and ARS systems to generate fire maps. Fire
lines can be traced through smoke at a safe distance and
downlinked to incident command instantly for real-time
actionable information.
The combination of standard IR and SWIR of the 380X, with
long-range optics delivers the ideal combination for the most
efficient and effective airborne firefighting mission.
Whatever the mission, whatever the environment, airborne
surveillance teams continue to depend on the advanced
capabilities of Teledyne FLIR Defense imaging systems to
help them cut through the noise, sharpen their focus, and
expedite decision-making that can often save lives—and we
remain committed to their missions, and everyone in the air,
and on the ground, each day.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 69
Tiger Performance -
From Racing to Aircraft
From celebrating its 25th anniversary in business, the
story of Tiger Performance as a safety and communications
products supplier for the aviation and marine industries
differs from your typical origin story.
Founded in 1999, Tiger Performance was founded by
Sonny and Tina Hawkins to fill a market need they had
identified while competing in the dangerous sport of Offshore
powerboat racing. During an 18-year successful powerboat
racing career, Sonny identified several critical areas where
safety improvements needed to be addressed as the World
and USA governing bodies started to address safety concerns
after several fatal accidents on the racing circuits.
Not finding a suitable helmet in the marine world that
would address multiple needs such as head protection,
communications, and the ability to attach rescue
breathing equipment in the event of a crash, Sonny looked
towards the aviation industry to see if any options would
suit the racing community. It was at that point Tiger
Performance was founded.
Quickly, after identifying a helmet that would suit the needs
of the powerboat racing industry, Sonny struck a worldwide
dealer agreement with a company at the time called CGF,
the French helmet manufacturer offering the LH050 and
LH250 helicopter helmets and the LA100 Jet Pilot helmet.
Sonny began marketing to the Worldwide powerboat racing
community for all racing categories, bringing an aviation
AF 70 | aerialfiremag.com
helmet designed for pilots into the marine environment for
the first time. The CGF compact and lightweight helmets
provided for the ready-made attachment of an oxygen
mask, superior sound attenuation, and communication
ability in addition to dual visor functionality that was
needed during variable conditions, providing not only a
step up in functionality but a step up in safety with the
availability of these helmets.
As word spread of the new helmet available to the
powerboat racing community, the popularity of the helmet
grew quickly, becoming the most sought-after and most well-
used helmet within the industry in a short period.
Sonny developed a patented underwater breathing variant
of the USAF MBU20P pilot oxygen mask that automatically
activates the compressed air flow during a rollover or
submersion in a powerboat. These masks make racing in
all forms of fully enclosed cockpits much safer and have
saved many lives over the past 25 years. These masks
are connected to onboard and miniature man-mounted
compressed air bottles that buy racers valuable time for rescue
to arrive to extract an injured racer while trapped underwater.
Tiger also expanded its marine onboard communications
expertise into the marine patrol boat market for onboard
plug-in and wireless radio intercom systems. It is used
worldwide for various Military, law enforcement, and
commercial applications.
Tiger Performance Enters the Aviation Market
Shortly after the start of the company, Sonny decided to sell CGF
helmets, Tiger Performance advanced communications, and
bailout emergency breathing systems to the aviation industry
after many inquiries from interested pilots and crew members.
During the early years of representing CGF helmets, the
company rebranded to CGF Gallet. The inventor of the CGF
Gallet helmet, Adrian Gallet, passed away shortly after. His
wife then sold the company to U.S.-based safety equipment
supplier MSA, rebranding to the MSA Gallet helmet. In the
last several years, the company dropped the Gallet branding,
with the helmet now being solely branded as an MSA product.
The MSA helmets are widely recognized for being the lightest
weight, high quality, and comfortable, with many features
and accessories. Many accessories have been developed
exclusively by Tiger Performance. These include two
Maxillofacial shields (optical see-through offered in 4 colors
and lightweight carbon fiber), NVG quick-release mount, fid
lock magnetic, and heavy-duty ratcheting chin strap choices.
Tiger also offers the very popular ICARO and Petzyl EMS-
SAR helmets with attached headsets. These helmets are
very comfortable and lightweight, with easy attachment of
various custom Tiger, Bose, and Lightspeed headset choices.
These helmets have rapidly grown in popularity for ag/spray
applicator pilots, search and rescue, air medical rescue, and
law enforcement.
Tiger's man-mounted miniature and lightweight carbon
fiber 4500 PSI Survival Breathing Apparatus is an industry-
leading emergency bailout breathing system and the first
choice for many aircrew members worldwide.
Challenging the Status Quo
Tiger Performance was the first company to delve into
improving the audio quality of the existing helmet by
integrating the extremely popular Bose A20 headset into the
MSA and other helmets.
"We reconfigured a Bose A20 headset to fit inside flight
helmets. Over ten years ago, we were the first ones, the
originators of the Bose A20 conversion. It was extremely
notable because it took off like wildfire. Suddenly, people
wearing a helmet would benefit from what that headset
could do with high-quality audio fit into a helmet for the
first time. The pilot and aircrew can benefit from high-
quality active noise reduction with onboard voice-activated
communications, listening to music, radio, or phone calls
while flying. There was nothing like all those high-end
qualities at their disposal ten years ago. So that opened up a
whole new world for pilots wearing helmets when only pilots
wearing headsets had that ability previously," said Hawkins.
Testing
The Department of the Interior oversees helmet standards for
the U.S. State Department of Interior. The U.S. Forest Service
demands a high safety standard for helmet safety for use in
department aircraft and by contractors operating aircraft for
those agencies. Hawkins stated that they had put many years
and tens of thousands of dollars into testing their helmets
to certified standards and adjusting the helmet, including
creating custom molded ear cups for high noise attenuation
and side impact. These ear cups are the foundation for Tiger's
in-house high-quality PNR and ANR helmet communications
with or without Bluetooth. Tiger also created the addition of a
helmet pigtail connector, which quickly disconnects a plug-in
straight or coiled cable for PNR, PNR/Bluetooth, ANR or ANR/
Bluetooth with U174 helicopter plug, dual G.A. or LEMO
plug. These plug-in cable choices enable meeting any helmet
communication requirements. Tiger's Bose and Lightspeed
helmet communications also qualify to meet the DOI/USFS
standard.
While the company plans to continue to offer the Bose A20
modification for helmets, with the recent introduction of the
Bose A30 headset, the A20 has been discontinued. Once
again, Tiger Performance was the industry leader and the
first to create the Bose A30 helmet conversion. The Bose
A30 has even more advanced features and performance than
the A20.
Another critical function for helmets, communication
ability, and safety is comfort. Tiger Performance also allows
selecting between leatherette/memory foam, gel, or vinyl
foam for ear cup seals and choices of comfort foam or
memory foam helmet liners.
Wireless Innovation
As a key innovator in new technology, Tiger Performance
is dedicated to pushing the envelope regarding technology,
safety enhancements, and improvements to helmet-based
products. One of those innovations currently in development
is the ability to operate wirelessly in the cockpit or on the
ground during search and rescue, medical transport, Military,
law enforcement, and other ground operations through
wireless hands-free communications. This fully integrated
wireless flight helmet communications is another industry
first for flight helmets.
Hawkins detailed that the soon-to-be-released product is
currently undergoing field testing with the ability for the
wearer to adjust microphone squelch directly from a dial
knob on the helmet, which allows the user to adjust the
amount of squelch in a windy environment when the wearer
is in the open door of a helicopter or moves outside the
cockpit in a search and rescue mission. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 71
The wireless communications are available in passive or
active noise reduction configurations with helmet installed
Bluetooth and radio PTT controls and can communicate
with 20 or more wireless helmets or headsets. An aircraft
plug-in transceiver enables aircraft intercom and radio
connectivity with the wireless helmets or headsets. Tiger
offers a complete line of wireless helmets, EMS-SAR helmet-
mounted headsets, and headband and neckband headsets.
When questioned about the ability of the new technology to
work outside the cockpit, Hawkins explains that the wireless
modification will allow the user to communicate within 1000
feet of the aircraft wirelessly as long as there is a line of sight
between the user and the aircraft, potentially eliminating
the need for expensive external wireless communication
solutions in some circumstances.
The wireless helmet is rechargeable and battery-operated
and can go from wireless to wired communication in case
of a battery failure or if the battery is left uncharged with an
included plug-in communication cord accessory. At the same
time, Hawkins estimates that with a full charge, the wireless
solution will easily last an entire day of heavy usage.
Improving on Quality
In addition to the wireless solution, Tiger Performance has
teamed up with a world-leading Communication component
manufacturer to develop what Sonny describes as the "World's
Best" microphone. The VIPER microphone series is designed for
use in all forms of aviation and marine Military and commercial
helmet and headset communications. Offered in either plug-
in or flex boom integrated, the new microphone is reported
to have superior wind performance and speech intelligibility.
It is reasonably priced, according to Hawkins, who states in
testing with the U.S. military and during company testing, it
has outperformed all competition and exceeded expectations
on many levels with documented performance. The Viper
microphones are available in civilian high-impedance amplified
AF 72 | aerialfiremag.com
electret or military low-impedance dynamic configurations for
plug-in full pivot, Gentex style flex with flag mount, flex/wire,
or full wire booms for any helmet or headset. Orders are now
being accepted, with deliveries beginning in November. TSO
and Mil-Spec certifications are pending.
Further Viper Microphone Progress
Also in development by Tiger Performance is a fully
submersible Wet SAR version of the MSA helmet for search
and rescue operations for rescue crew members that
need to be dispatched outside of the aircraft into a water
environment. The new waterproof/corrosion-proof helmet
currently in development will be IP68, waterproof to four
meters (13 feet), and is designed to be not only waterproof
but have fully enclosed circuitry to beat the corrosive nature
of salt water and what it can do to exposed electronic and
metal components of a helmet.
Also in development are oxygen mask versions of the Viper
microphone for USAF and U.S. Navy configurations.
Helmet Cooling
The latest product on display at the NAAA convention held
in December in Palm Springs will address the extreme
effects of Global Warming and particularly interest pilots that
spend extended time in aircraft wearing a helmet. Hawkins
noted over several years that pilots complained that despite
having air conditioning in aircraft, they still sweat inside
their helmets. Hawkins stated that his team has been hard
at work developing a helmet-integrated powered ventilation/
cooling system that will be reasonably priced, easy to install,
and introduce airflow into the previously sealed helmet
environment to address one of the most complex problems of
heat not dissipating from a helmet.
The Tiger helmet integrated ventilation/cooling modification
can be added to most aviation flight helmets and is easily
removable when not in use during cooler seasons.
A Family Affair
Although started by Sonny and his wife Tina, Sonny knows
he won't be around forever. He has looked to his family
to continue the legacy he created. Son Oleksandr "Sasha"
Hawkins, the Hawkins son, is the company marketing and
advertising manager, is involved in production, and has
worked for the company for the past 8 years. The company's
General manager and nephew, Bobby Dubill, who first
worked for Sonny as a crew chief on his boat racing team,
has been with the company since its founding. Sonny's
sales manager and second nephew, Joey Dubill, has also
been with the company since two years after the company's
founding.

The Future
As an innovator in the industry, Tiger Performance has
several new products soon to hit the market that may make
flying a little more comfortable and give pilots more freedom
of movement and a much-improved audio experience,
depending on their helmet selection and modifications. One
thing is sure: Tiger Performance listens to their customers'
feedback and requests and is not waiting on the next big
thing but looking to what pilots want and inventing new
products to continue pushing the industry forward, making
flying safer and more comfortable, and providing more
effective communications.

MSA LH250 Custom ICARO Procopter, Tiger ICARO Procopter Carbon

LH050 Custom Paint, MSA LH350, Bose
Paint, Lightspeed H Mod Carbon Fiber, Fiber Helmet & Tiger
Bose A20 ANR/BT & A30 ANR/BT & Tiger
ANR/BT, Viper Mic & Tiger Wireless/ANR/BT Headset ANR/Bluetooth, Carbon
Quick Disconnect Cable NVG QR Mount
NVG QR Mount & Tiger NVG Mount Fiber Headset

Optional DOI/USFS Certified Ultra Lightweight MSA

MSA Helmets & ICARO Helmets

Visit www.tigerperformance.com or call 1-716-674-8545 for the best in aviation helmets, communications and accessories
Tiger Performance can provide all offered helmet comms for all makes and models of aviation helmets and offers Tiger headsets with matching comms.

aerialfiremag.com | AF 73
Insights and Analysis: Mapping
the Bushfire Outlook with TracPlus
Introduction
As Australia braces itself for the Spring 2023 season, the
stage seems set for a period of heightened vigilance and
preparedness in terms of bushfire outlook. The shift in
Australia’s climatic influences since last spring has brought
the nation under the spotlight of increased bushfire risk.
A majority of the regions are expecting above-average
temperatures and below-average rainfall, a concoction that
typically spells increased fire activity.
Moreover, the previous La Niña years have led to an upsurge
in fuel growth in many regions, further escalating the risk of
bushfires. Communities across various states and territories
are urged to ramp up their preparations and closely monitor
the local conditions as the spring unfolds.
AF 74 | aerialfiremag.com
Understanding the seasonal bushfire outlook becomes pivotal
as it outlines the potential fire threats in various regions,
assisting in strategic planning and community awareness.
The outlook is not a prediction of where and when bushfires
will occur, but a tool to identify areas of increased risk,
helping communities to be primed for appropriate action.
As a leader in the firefighting and aviation data industry,
TracPlus recognises the importance of understanding the
complex factors that contribute to fire risks. With our
extensive experience and commitment to supporting wildfire
response efforts, we’re pleased to offer an analysis of the
latest long-range forecast just released by the Bureau of
Meteorology. This article aims to provide valuable insights
into the expected weather conditions and their implications
for the upcoming 2023/2024 fire season across Australia’s
diverse regions.
Nationwide Overview
As we venture into Spring of 2023, it is paramount to grasp
the climatic intricacies that influence Australia’s bushfire
outlook. This season, the key climatic influences shaping
Australia’s weather patterns and consequently the bushfire
outlook, are the developments in the El Niño–Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
Both the BoM and AFAC have noted significant shifts in the
climatic patterns compared to the last year, mainly driven
by the transition from La Niña to a probable El Niño phase.
This transition is expected to have a substantial influence on
the weather conditions across Australia, altering the rainfall
patterns and temperature trends.
The ENSO Alert: A Signal to Prepare
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) currently
retains a neutral stance, with neither La Niña nor El Niño
dominating the scene. However, a subtle yet significant
shift is underway. The tropical Pacific ocean waters have
been gradually warming since the beginning of 2023,
breaching the El Niño thresholds. Despite the ocean
showing signs of an impending El Niño, the atmosphere
remains in a neutral state, indicating an uncoupled
condition that is commonly seen during the onset of El
Niño events. As we navigate through this transitional
phase, a 70% likelihood of an El Niño emergence lingers,
potentially diminishing the winter-spring rainfall in the
eastern expanses of Australia, thereby escalating the
bushfire risk.
The IOD’s Influence: A Potential Drying Agent
Simultaneously, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), presently
neutral, hints at transitioning towards a positive phase in
the forthcoming months. According to the BoM, the last
three weeks have seen the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) index
exceed the positive IOD threshold of +0.40 °C. However,
several more weeks of positive IOD values above the
threshold are needed for greater confidence that a positive
IOD event is underway. This shift might act as a drying
agent, reducing the winter-spring rainfall particularly in the
southern and central belts of Australia, thereby potentially
augmenting the fire risk in these regions. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 75
Global Warming: A Persistent Undercurrent
On the global front, an unprecedented surge in sea surface
temperatures has been witnessed since April 2023. The
warming trend, which reflects a larger narrative of global
warming, rings alarm bells for Australia, a nation that has
already experienced a temperature uptick of about 1.47
°C from 1910 to 2021. This persistent undercurrent has
redefined rainfall patterns, fostering high-intensity, short-
duration rain events, especially in the north, while the
southern precincts have witnessed a dwindling cool season
rainfall, down by 10-20% in recent decades.
The Evolving Fire Seasons: Adapting
to New Normals
Navigating through these changing climes, Australia finds
itself adapting to evolving fire seasons characterised by
more frequent elevated fire dangers, appearing earlier and
lingering longer each year. While the recent La Niña events
have provided a respite, a shift in the ENSO state might
revert or escalate this trend, ushering in longer and more
intense fire seasons. This evolving pattern necessitates
heightened vigilance, particularly during the spring and
summer months, as dangerous fire weather days have
seen a significant upswing, especially in the southern and
eastern corridors of Australia.
AF 76 | aerialfiremag.com
Temperature Trends Heading into spring, Australia is
expected to witness a notable escalation in temperature.
The BoM predicts a warmer trajectory for the September
to November period, with over an 80% chance of above-
median maximum temperatures encompassing nearly the
entire country. Moreover, the minimum temperatures are also
expected to soar, especially in areas surrounding the Great
Australian Bight and extending into the central Northern
Territory, indicating warmer nights ahead.
Rainfall Predictions The rainfall patterns during the same
period paint a rather dry picture. Northern Australia,
extending from the Kimberley region in WA to Queensland,
and southern parts encompassing regions from southern
WA to the Riverina region in southern NSW are projected
to experience below-median rainfall. Particularly, isolated
regions in the southwest and southeast might witness
significantly reduced rainfall, creating a backdrop for
increased bushfire activity.
Soil Moisture and Evaporation The combination of
reduced rainfall and heightened temperatures is
forecasted to create drier than average soil moisture
conditions by late spring, particularly impacting the
south and east of Australia. This condition, coupled
with existing high fuel loads, signifies an enhanced
risk of flammability in various regions. It is anticipated
that these factors will contribute to a bushfire season
characterised by rapid grass fires, necessitating quick
responses and heightened aerial reconnaissance to
manage the potential threats effectively.
In light of these developments, a detailed analysis of the
regional bushfire outlooks becomes essential to understand
the varied implications across Australia’s diverse landscapes,
assisting communities and firefighting agencies in gearing up
for a season that demands vigilance and preparedness.
Conclusion:
The Spring 2023 bushfire outlook paints a varied
picture across Australia, with several regions bracing for
heightened fire risks due to a combination of meteorological
factors. From the increased grass fire potential in New
South Wales and Victoria to the anticipated intense
bushfires in parts of Queensland and South Australia,
it is clear that a diverse range of challenges await the
firefighting teams across the country.
In this context, TracPlus stands as a reliable partner for
firefighting agencies and teams, equipped to offer real-time
tracking and operational insights that can significantly bolster
wildfire response strategies. Our solutions are designed to be
a powerful tool in the hands of those who are tasked with
safeguarding communities from the unpredictable and often
devastating impact of bushfires.
As we navigate this season, aerial firefighting strategies
in Australia will need to be meticulously orchestrated to
mitigate the potential risks effectively. The pronounced
grass growth due to previous La Niña seasons necessitates
a focus on preventing and controlling grass fires, which
tend to spread rapidly and can be highly unpredictable.
Aerial assets might be leveraged more for swift initial
attack capabilities to prevent small fires from becoming
uncontrolled, especially in regions with high grass fuel
loads. Moreover, the intelligence gathered through aerial
reconnaissance will be pivotal in mapping the spread
of fires and identifying potential hotspots in the vast
grasslands and forested areas.
As the nation gears up to face the potential challenges of
the coming months, we at TracPlus are ready to support the
teams on the front lines, offering technology-driven solutions
that can enhance efficiency and safety during wildfire
operations.
aerialfiremag.com | AF 77
Wildfire Drones: Detecting,
Coordinating, Containing the
Wildfire Upsurge
by Urtė Širmulytė
Wildfires are breaking out more often, persisting for extended
periods, and burning with greater intensity. From North and
South America, across Europe, to Indonesia, Australia and
beyond, the pattern is the same. Wildfire season is getting
longer, and in some places it’s almost a year-round concern.
So, what can be done to protect communities, save lives and
preserve ecosystems?
Take Canada. By 27 June 2023, the country broke records
for the largest area burned by wildfires in a single year[i].
And that was before the season even reached its peak. In
Europe, there have already been close to four times more
wildfires than average this year.
According to the United Nations Environment Program,
the global situation is escalating fast, with forecasts of a
worldwide increase in extreme fires of 14 percent by 2030,
rising to 30 percent by 2050[ii].
In many territories, the main causes of fire are lightning,
humans, or poorly maintained powerlines. While human-
ignited fires cause major problems in populated regions,
in boreal forest and woodland around 90 percent of the
total area destroyed by wildfires originates from lightning
strikes[iii].
Against this worrying backdrop, how can the situation be
improved? Can drones provide advantages in firefighting
situations? And how can they assist with wildfire detection,
evaluation and containment? We spoke to wildfire experts
around the world to understand the current circumstances,
the shortfalls, and the opportunities to save more lives.
“Fire has an ecological and historical role in many
Canadian ecosystems,” John Davies, a senior wildland fire
specialist in British Columbia, told us. “Our grasslands and
our forests have evolved with fire as a natural means to
regenerate. But these large, destructive fires are not natural
and they can negatively impact ecosystems. Wildfire
AF 78 | aerialfiremag.com
patterns are changing, and that’s causing us concern. We
need to detect them early, hit them fast, and try to keep
them small. By providing real-time, persistent, actionable
incident information, we increase the efficiency and safety
of our operations.”
Early Wildfire Detection
The speed of wildfire detection and how quickly it can
be validated are critical to a successful outcome. Arnoud
Buiting, a program director for operational preparation and
fire department safety in the Netherlands, provided us with
insights into current detection methods, saying, “Surveillance
over the Veluwe, a forested area, is carried out using
airplanes, but they are expensive to operate and maintain.
Also, recreational users often report wildfires through mobile
networks, yet the inability to be present everywhere at once
poses a significant challenge. What’s more, the verification
of detected fire images and pinpointing precise locations are
elements missing from the equation.”
Elsewhere, continuous camera networks are deployed across
wide geographical areas, using AI to detect smoke and alert
authorities. But they have a limited coverage area. Satellite
imagery is another route to detection, yet with a pass-over
rate of just once or twice each day, the method can be less
effective. Plus, by the time people, fixed cameras or satellites
can identify smoke, the fire has already taken hold.
Drones offer rapid aerial surveillance, and real-time data,
enhancing situational awareness and allowing faster
response to wildfires, leading to improved detection and
coordination among fire management agencies.
One example of innovative technology usage in early drone
wildfire detection comes from Fire Neural Network™.
Lightning is responsible for the majority of the area
burned in the Western US, yet only a small portion (5%)
of lightning strikes are capable of starting fires, known as
High-Risk-Lightning™ (HRL) strikes. Fire Neural Network™
developed a system that quickly and accurately alerts
when an HRL strike occurs. Detectors capture high-current
lightning strikes, combined with local environmental and
fuel characteristics. An AI algorithm combines this data
and generates HRL alerts. Once a hazardous strike point is
identified, a drone can fly out and verify the ignition location.
This real-time information allows first responders to focus
their resources on areas of need instead of patrolling large
areas without knowing where to look. This technology has
been rolled out in the US (Florida), the Australian Capital
Territory and the Brazilian Amazon.
Effective Coordination and Containment
Detection is only part of the early phase challenge. Once
a fire has been identified, crews need to be deployed on
the ground at the right location with as much situational
awareness as possible. This can take up valuable time.
“When we know there’s lightning, we need to get
out there as soon as conditions allow,” says Davies,
“but when a lightning storm comes in late evening or
overnight, there may not be enough daylight to go look for
an emerging fire until the morning due to nighttime flight
restrictions. So, fires could be burning for eight or ten
hours before they get detected”.
“Things can change quickly. Even in the course of an hour,
you can go from receiving a call on a spot fire, to it blowing
up into a very large wildfire with the need for helicopters,
air tankers and more ground crews than may have been
initially dispatched. And timing is everything. Being able to
supplement, or replace the use of aircraft with drones during
a busy fire season could provide a key advantage.”
Once a wildfire has been identified, drones can act as
scouts, arriving ahead of first responders and allowing
remote teams to appraise the situation as it develops.
According to Kihan Garcia a mechanical engineer
specializing in remotely piloted systems from Wollongong,
Australia, drones should collaborate with manned aircraft
in wildfire response efforts. They can play a crucial role in
providing situational awareness by capturing real-time data
and relaying valuable information on optimal locations for
planes and helicopters to deploy water drops effectively.
By working in tandem with aircraft, drones enhance
the coordination and efficiency of aerial firefighting
operations, enabling a more targeted and strategic
approach to wildfire containment.
Improving Safety For Wildfire Crews
When wildfires take hold, crews aim to extinguish them
by 10am the following day, before relative humidity begins
to decrease, causing fires to spread. But this isn’t always
possible, and by the afternoon the fire can increase,
especially when influenced by wind, which plays a critical
role in wildfire spreading. It can rapidly spread the flames,
carrying embers ahead of the main fire, and creating
unpredictable fire behavior. In such a dynamic system,
drones provide crucial situational awareness, keeping
firefighters safe and well-informed. ➤
aerialfiremag.com | AF 79
Drone’s EO/IR capabilities have improved dramatically over the last several years enabling faster transmission of data from the fireground.

“It’s vital that we bring real-time intelligence to first of their own personal situation, and that’s a big ask when
responders,” says Josh Wilkins, a seasoned fire officer and you’re facing an unpredictable wildfire situation. We want to
wildfire technology advisor operating in Haily, Idaho. “That’s be able to save lives by not risking them in the first place,
the overriding objective. Everyone should be fully aware and that’s where drones can play a defining role.”

AF 80 | aerialfiremag.com
Drones can also look for
spot fires, scanning on the
fireline for embers thrown out
ahead of the main wildfire.
This real-time information
prevents crews from becoming
trapped, while also evaluating
safe zones during rapidly
escalating situations. All this
data collection also feeds back
into the Incident Action Plan
(IAP), providing the basis for
developing flexible strategies
and achieving objectives on a
day-by-day and hour-by-hour
basis.

Advanced Monitoring
and Situational
Awareness
When a hotspot is smoldering
on the ground and not yet
producing much smoke,
sometimes for days, a drone’s
thermal imaging camera
can be tuned to identify the
hotspot before it flares up.
As well as being equipped to
provide real-time information
by scanning perimeters
and firelines, drones can
also map the vegetation
in high definition using
multi-spectral imaging, and
photogrammetry payloads.
This enables accurate
predictions for fuel and fire
behavior models.

In addition, the information

obtained from drone-captured
images includes accurate GPS
location and timestamps,
adding relevance to the
visual data. According to
Garcia, “Imagery without
context is just pretty pictures.
By combining high-quality
imagery with precise
geospatial information,
drones deliver meaningful and
actionable insights that inform
decision-making.” ➤

aerialfiremag.com | AF 81
Successful Wildfire Control, at Lower Cost
As drones continue to evolve, their ability to save lives
expands. They offer cost-effective solutions, with lower
purchase and maintenance expenses compared to
manned aircraft.
However, some challenges still remain. Beyond Visual
Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights do raise local regulatory and
logistical issues. Yet, according to Andy Olesen, a consultant
in emergency response robot operations from Canada,
new regulations are expected to provide advancements.
Meanwhile, in the US, regulations are also changing. Wilkins
told us, “A new bill in Congress addresses the FAA regulations
and the need for rapid adoption of drones in the wildfire
environment,” while Garcia adds, “Flying BVLOS in Australia
has recently been made more accessible. It now requires an
operating certificate, obtained through an exam assessing pilot
proficiency in instrument-based flying. With this certification,
operators can conduct day and night operations.”
How DeltaQuad Evo Makes a Difference
DeltaQuad Evo is a reliable, versatile and future-proof
platform that offers a range of significant advantages for
wildfire detection and control. With a flight time of over 4
AF 82 | aerialfiremag.com
hours and easy versatile payload capacity it can cover vast
areas and be used to perform different kinds of missions,
like capture high-resolution imagery, thermal data, and
other essential information critical for effective wildfire
detection and analysis. Since it’s simple and quick to
swap payloads, you can use a single drone for additional
missions, like vegetation mapping or perform a specific
search and rescue mission.
It can operate over extended distances, making it ideal for
monitoring remote or hard-to-reach wildfire-prone regions
or perform perimeter scans. Built for stability and durability,
Evo can withstand harsh environmental conditions often
encountered during wildfire situations. Moreover, its
autonomous operation feature allows for pre-programmed
flight paths and systematic grid searches, optimizing
efficiency in surveying large territories.
By harnessing these capabilities, DeltaQuad Evo serves
as a powerful tool for efficient and precise wildfire
detection and monitoring, significantly enhancing wildfire
management and response efforts. Interested in learning
more about DeltaQuad Evo? Contact us to discover what
we can do for you.
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