PORT ALBERNI, BC – Coulson Aviation Canada has acquired 10 former Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the federal government, a move the company says will double its C-130H fleet and expand its wildfire-fighting capacity.  The acquisition brings the company’s global C-130H fleet from 10 aircraft to 20. Coulson says the Canadian division will lead the aircraft’s engineering, modification, maintenance and operational programs from British Columbia.

 The Hercules aircraft have a long history of service with the Canadian military, including tactical airlift, search and rescue, Arctic operations, disaster response, humanitarian missions and international deployments.

 Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Aviation Canada, said the company recognizes the contribution of the Royal Canadian Air Force personnel who operated the aircraft during their service.  “These aircraft served Canada for decades,” Coulson said in a statement.  “We would like to recognize the men and women of the RCAF that operated these aircraft with exceptional professionalism throughout their service.”

 The acquisition comes as Canadian communities and emergency agencies face increasingly challenging wildfire seasons, with fires growing in size and intensity in many parts of the country.

 Coulson said the additional aircraft will increase the company’s ability to provide aerial wildfire response, particularly during initial attacks when rapid deployment can be critical to containing a fire.  The company already operates C-130H Hercules aircraft converted for use as airtankers.  Its aircraft are equipped with the company’s RADS-XXL retardant delivery system, which can carry and deliver up to 4,000 U.S. gallons, or more than 15,000 litres, of water or fire retardant.

 According to Coulson, the system allows crews to control the volume and coverage of individual drops.  The aircraft’s payload capacity, speed, range and ability to operate from relatively short runways are also intended to support both initial attack and longer-duration wildfire operations.

 “Firefighters on the ground need aircraft overhead that can get there quickly, carry a meaningful load and keep working,” Coulson said.  “These aircraft will multiply the current initial attack capacity operating in Canada today.”  The company said the expansion is also expected to create additional skilled employment in British Columbia in areas including aircraft engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, flight operations and technical training.  Coulson Aviation Canada operates the various components of its C-130 airtanker program, including engineering, certification, aircraft modification, maintenance, training and flight operations.  The acquisition was announced at Cascade Aerospace in Abbotsford, where several of the former RCAF aircraft are currently located.

 As part of the announcement, Coulson brought Tanker 131, one of its operational C-130H airtankers, to Abbotsford to demonstrate the aircraft’s capabilities in its wildfire-fighting role.  Tanker 131 is scheduled to conduct a demonstration drop during the Abbotsford International Airshow, showcasing the aircraft’s RADS-XXL retardant delivery system.

 The company says the former military aircraft will form the foundation of an expanded Canadian C-130 airtanker program as it works to convert, certify and place additional Hercules aircraft into wildfire-fighting service.

 Source:  Coulson Aviation