Coulson Aviation Contracts in South America and Australia

One of the aviation contractors with contracts with the U.S. Forest Fire Service is Coulson Aviation, a division of Coulson Group. Not only does Coulson have a ten year contract with the U.S. Forest Fire Service signed in 2023, but Coulson also has a contract to supply year-round helitankers and helicopters to the Southern California Counties of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura through 2024 with an option for 2025. As I am sure that many of you who are regular readers and follow aerial wildland firefighting through other sources know, Coulson is also active outside the United States and Canada in Australia and South America. Information on Coulson's fleet may be found here. Coulson has a good presence on social media, both the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook. At the time I write this the X platform requires an account while Coulson's Facebook page does not.

In addition to embedding posts from Coulson's account on the X platform (formerly Twitter), I am including direct links to Coulson's press releases to provide you with direct access to these news releases without having to use the links, one is a shortened URL, in the post to the X platform. 

In July 2024, Coulson entered into a ten-year contract with New South Wales in Australia including a Boeing 737 Fireliner, a Chinook helitanker, six helicopters and two Cessna Citations. Coulson's news media release on this contract may be found here. Aerial Fire has good coverage of aerial firefighting operations, you may want to read their article on Coulson's contract with New South Wales.

Press Release: Coulson Aviation secures a 10-year contract with Australia’s @NSWRFS to manage, operate, and maintain the fleet, supporting a robust response to the fire seasons. Read the full release online: https://t.co/QxGiYgEDLg pic.twitter.com/GKheeVByD4

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) July 15, 2024

In November 2023 Coulson signed a three-year contract with Chili in South America for a C-130H Hercules large airtanker and a Citation 550 air attack plane. On November 24, 2024, this contract to include a Boeing 737 Fireliner. You may read Coulson's press release on this 2024 contract extension with Chili here. Aerial Fire has also written about this contract, go here to read their article.

Press Release: Coulson Aviation extends aerial firefighting support to South America with a new contract in Chile for the Boeing 737 FireLiner™. Read the full release online: https://t.co/6WjI4QZ9vG pic.twitter.com/r8RnWYOsQm

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) November 25, 2024

Importance of Maintenance Checks of Aircraft

 Regular maintenance checks are important for the safety of all aircraft including but not limited to air tankers, firefighting helicopters, and support aircraft. Some shorter maintenance checks are done during the firefighting season that may only take an airtanker out of service for a night. Other maintenance checks take longer, such as the fall maintenance checks that Coulson is currently doing on their aircraft in advance of the fire season in Australia. 

NSW Rural Fire Service's Bomber 210, a Coulson air tanker, did good service in California during their summer fire season and is back in Australia for their fire season.

Hawaii Mars in New Home

On Aug 16th I shared that Coulson's Hawaii Mars was retired and flew to her new home at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria, British Columbia.Enjoy these photos. You may read this Facebook Post from the British Columbia Aviation Museum to learn more about the preparations for the official grand opening of the Hawaii Mars display on September 28th.

   

Hawaii Mars Retired to British Columbia Aviation Museum

Back in late 2009 when I first started writing about aerial wildland firefighting, I was watching live stream of wildland firefighters on the ground and in the air working a large wildfire in the Los Angeles area. I was mesmorized when I first saw the Hawaii Mars working the fire. My friend Tom Janney was available over e-mail and the telephone he told me about the Hawaii Mars, one of two Martin Mars still active at the time and owned by Coulson Aviation. I watched the stream for several minutes. I recall that she went around once or twice before starting her run to drop on the wildfire. Watching her was one of the most incredible experiences, something I remember to this day almost 15 years later.

Coulson announced several months ago that the Hawaii Mars would be donated to the British Columbia Aviation Museum, the preparatory work was done ahead of schedule prepare her for the flight and to be sure she was in good shape was completed ahead of schedule, see this June 24th news release from Coulson.  Once the museum has the Hawaii Mars up and running at the end of September 2024 visitors will be able to see her up close in person. I understand that the Province of British Columbia is providing a $250,000 grant to the museum to protect and preserve the Hawaii Mars. For more information see this article from CBC Canada (with video). She departed Port Alberni on August 12th for the flight to Victoria, British Columbia near where the museum is located. Unfortunately I am not able to embed the video that I found on Coulson Facebook Page, but I can link to the video reel on Coulson's Facebook Page

As she neared the museum in Victoria, she was accompanied by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Hawaii Mars and all that flew you and maintain you to help fight wildfires, thank-you for your service. Hawaii Mars, I miss you and am very happy that you have a home at the British Columbia Aviation Museum.

Inside look at Coulson's Tankers and Lead Planes

 I just found a great 13 minute video showcasing Coulson's Tankers and Lead Planes from Downie Live that I want to share with you. The videographer was in the cockpit of a Coulson Tanker on a training day, you will also see how the tanker is loaded with retardant and what the inside of the tanker looks along with footage of some drops. You may see some paid promotions in the video. 

Direct link to video from DownieLive on YouTube

2024 Wildfire Season: Air Tanker Maintenace Continues

As April began, Coulson Aviation and Neptune Aviation and continued spring maintenance of their air tankers as the following embedded (posts with photos) from their Facebook page show. I expect that other air tanker and helicopter operators who fly wildfires are also conducting spring maintenance that are not mentioned here.

Neptune Aviation Services

Coulson Aviation

2024 Wildfire Season: Air Tanker Spring maintenance

When I was first learning about general aviation 13 years ago, and going on scenic rides, one of my key takeways was the importance of regular maintenance of aircraft. As I recall, the maintenance of the small planes that I was familiar was guided and mandated by FAA requirements with different maintenance and inspections being done at regular intervals  (hours flown) and signed of by an Airframe and PowerTrain Mechanic. More complicated and thorough inspections and maintenance were called for at longer intervals. But things like oil changes and the like were done at shorted intervals. But I am not writing about maintenance of general aviation airplanes and if I were, I would have to brush up on the requirements.

I am writing about spring maintenance done by contractors on contract with the US Forest Service, or at least two contractors, Coulson and Neptune. I am not privy to what is done in a spring maintenance, nor am I privy to the more routine maintenance that is done through the period when the tanker is on contract. Also, I am not ignoring helicopters on contract with various agencies that fly fires but I have no information on maintenance by helicopter contractors. I am certain that the contractors maintain their helicopters and may also engage in spring maintenance.

I did recently note on Facebook, two companies with US Forest Service Contracts making a post about spring maintenance. What is important is that spring maintenance occurs and while I don't know specific maintenance and inspection procedures, I want to share these two posts about taking time for winter/spring maintenance before individual tankers go on contract.

Coulson Aviation

Neptune Aviation

Coulson Aviation Flying Fires in Chile (March 2024)

 As I write this in late March, Coulson Aviation continues to fly fire in Chile South America. I am embedding a short clip from the Coulson Aviation Facebook Page of Tanker 131 working a fire in Chile.

Coulson Aviation's Large Air Tankers Working Globally

 Coulson Aviation's fleet of Airtankers not only work in the United States as many of you know the Coulson fleet also has contracts overseas, for example in Australia and South America. I hope you enjoy this video from Coulson Aviation where you will learn a little about their fleet of large air tankers and their work outside of the United States and Canada.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

Friday Fun: Chinook Helicopters working wildfires in California

 For today's Friday Fun I offer a five minute 2023 video from Coulson Aviation of their Chinook Helicopters working wildfire in California.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

2023 Wildfire Season: Coulson Quick Reaction Force (CA) Highlights

I stumbled upon a nice nine-minute video from Coulson Aviation on their Facebook Page highlighting their Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in 2023. Before sharing the video I want to provide some context of exactly what the Quick Reaction Force is. The Quick Reaction Force is a partnership between Coulson and Southern California Edison, Ventura County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority and Los Angeles County Fire Department for 24/7 aerial wildfire operations. The video that embed below from Coulson discusses the Quick Reaction Force.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

I am sorry to say that due to restrictions I can not embed the nine minute video highlighting Coulson's 2023 QRF operations. I urge you to go directly to Coulson's Facebook Page where you should be able to watch this video.  I enjoyed watching this video, some great photography including some images of night-time operations.

Note: To the best of my knowledge you do not need a Facebook account to watch the video, you may get a prompt to enter account info for Facebook or set up an account. Just close the window and you should be able to watch the video.

Friday Fun: Black Hawk Helicopters in Western Australia

As we continue into the holiday season around the world it is winter in the United States and Summer in Australia. Summer in Australia means bushfire season and State of Western Australia has a few tankers and helicopters available to help the firefighters on the ground including two Black Hawk Helicopters that I believe are from Coulson Aviation. Their bushfire season has gotten off to a busy start with 1,611 bushfires since October. I saw this fun video from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA which they shared on their Facebook page with some holiday music showing featuring some firefighting helicopters and tankers. Unfortunately, when I embedded the video, I was not able to share the text accompanying the video which should be found here, hit the see more link in the top right to read the full text.

2023-24 Australian Bushfire Season: Coulson Tankers in Australia

 Following up on the article I wrote on November 27th about Coulson Tankers heading to Australia,  Tanker 133, a C-130H tanker, arrived in Richmond, New South Wales (NSW) Australia on Monday. Australia likes to assign nicknames to air tankers, Tanker 133 is known as Froy. She is ready to help the NSW Rural Fire Service. Tanker 137, a 737 Fireliner, will be arriving soon and will start a contract on December 1st as a large airtanker available nationally to all of Australia to work bushfires. For more information see this November 27th article from Australian Aviation (I used one of my three free articles, so there is a paywall).

Froy, which was recently converted can carry up to 4,000 US gallons of retardant See this March 2023 article from Skies Magazine for some more background on Coulson's airtankers including tanker 132 (see below). Some information for Coulson has information on each aircraft in their fleet of firefighting aircraft on their fleet page.

Coulson Tanker 132, also a C-130H tanker, landed in Australia on or about October 21st.

She worked her first bushfire about a a few days later, flying out of Richmond NSW.

2023-24 Australian Bushfire Season: Two Coulson Airtankers Headed to Australia

 As Coulson finishes fall maintenance on their airtankers, those that are on contract or otherwise committed to Australia for their summer bush fire season are being sent to Australia. Tanker 133 is on her way to Richmond New South Wales Australia

Tanker 137 departed yesterday for Australia. I am not quite sure where exactly in Australia Tanker 137 is going, but I know that she will serve where needed. Nor do I know the exact details of how many more tankers Coulson is sending to Australia. 

Thanks to Coulson, the tanker pilots and support staff for helping out our friends in Australia during their summer bush fire season.

Coulson Aviation Secured Three Year Contract in Chili

 

In a November 14th press release, Coulson Aviation announced that they have a three-year contract in Chili for firefighting. Specifically the contract covers a Lockheed C-130H and a Citation 550 air attack. The C-130H can carry up to 4,000 gallons of retardant. The Citation air attack plane works with the C-130H over wildfires. Here is an excerpt from Coulson's press release:

Coulson Aviation is pleased to announce it has been awarded a three-year firefighting contract with Chile’s Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) for a C-130H Hercules Large AirTanker and a Citation 550 air attack lead plane with its partner BRYSA. 

“We are honored to continue supporting Chile with our aircraft,” said Britton Coulson, President and COO, Coulson Aviation. “We have been successfully fighting fires in Chile for the past three years with our Boeing CH-47D’s and Lockheed C-130H’s with great success. This new contract solidifies Coulson’s presence with the largest airtanker in the country. It also recognizes the value our C-130 and Citation 550 working together to provide an efficient and productive aerial firefighting response.” 

Behind the Scenes with Coulson Transforming to Coulson Livery

 I don't know about you, but I enjoy seeing how a future airtanker is transformed to her new livery. This is a behind the scenes look at the transformation of BALDER to Coulson Tanker 138. This video that Coulson shared on their Facebook Page is a little over two minutes long. Enjoy.

Coulson Aviation: 2022-23 international operations

As many of you may know, one of the aviation companies that have wildland firefighting contracts for their air tankers and helitankers in the United States and outside the U.S. is Coulson Aviation. Coulson has been on my mind of late because it is wildfire/bush fire season in the southern hemisphere and I know that Coulson has contracts in the southern hemisphere. I recently saw a December 5th article on Aerial Fire reporting that Coulson just signed a four-year contract with the Western Australian Government for one of their C-130 air tankers. Knowing that Fire Aviation would have reported about this contract, I found this December 5th article on Fire Aviation by Kelly Andersson reporting on the contract for the C-130 and another contract for a 737 air tanker. So Coulson will have two of their large air tankers on contract in Western Australia during their summer fire season. According to this December 13th Facebook post by the Dept. of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia, Coulson’s C-130 saw action on or about December 12th.

Among the other countries with Coulson's firefighting aircraft are according to Coulson's May 2022 news release Argentina purchased a Coulson 737, also see Bill Gabberts May 12th article on Fire Aviation. This year according to this December 20th Coulson Aviation Facebook post Coulson also has a C-130 air tanker and a CH-47 helitanker in Chile. To the best of my knowledge Coulson still has a presence in New South Wales, Australia this season, see Coulson Aviation's Australia website for more information. I know that in prior years, Coulson have had a presence in on or two other countries that I have not listed here. 

Direct link to video by Coulson Aviation on YouTube

International Women 's Day: women in wildland firefighting

Tomorrow, March 8, is International Women's Day. I always try to honor all women who are involved in any aspect of wildland firefighting. But March 8th is special so I offer these two stories of women in wildland firefighting. These three represent just a few of the many women working in wildland firefighting to keep us safe from wildfires.

The first is from the Bureau of Land Management

The second is from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection focusing on Ms. Ashley House, Section Warden for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The third and final story is from Coulson Aviation who flies air tankers and helicopters in support of wildland firefighters on the ground. Coulson has contracts in the United States, Chile, and Australia, and perhaps other places that I am not thinking of.

2021 wildfire season: Coulson Aviation highlight video

I think that Coulson does a good job with their videos of their fleet. I always enjoy their videos and  I enjoyed watching their four minute video "Coulson Aviation - 2021 in Review. I hope that you enjoy the video.

Direct link to video from Coulson Aviation on YouTube

Coulson Aviation: C130 Tanker and Helitanker

Enjoy these two short videos from Coulson. The first video shows their C-130 tanker in action. In the second video you will learn a little about their helitanker.