Leading Fire Fighting Aircraft Companies: An In-Depth Look

Aerial firefighting involves the crucial support of ground crews by both fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft to combat wildfires. Different aircraft serve varied functions within this vital field. Smaller fixed-wing planes can transport smokejumpers, who parachute into wildfires for initial attack efforts. Unmanned aircraft offer the capability to survey a wildfire, providing essential information before other assets are deployed. Larger fixed-wing aircraft and a range of rotorcraft are used to deliver water or fire retardant to slow a wildfire’s spread. Combining aerial firefighting with ground efforts is a widely adopted method globally for managing these destructive events.

At the core of success in the aerial firefighting industry are its dedicated people. Pilots, mechanics, drivers, administrators, and support staff are essential for keeping aircraft operational. Without the incredibly skilled and talented individuals in this industry, aerial firefighting would not achieve the level of success it does today. Billings Flying Service takes pride in the accomplishments of its team members and is honored to be a part of the broader aerial firefighting community. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions regarding your aerial firefighting needs or if you are interested in joining our team.

The Role of Aerial Firefighting in Wildfire Management

Without wildfires, the aerial firefighting industry would be significantly smaller. Therefore, it’s important to understand wildfires and why the aerial firefighting industry exists in its current form.

Wildfires: Nature’s Cycle and Human Threat

While most news coverage portrays wildfires negatively, they are a natural process for recycling nutrients and stimulating new growth. Primary soil macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium become rapidly available after a low-intensity fire due to chemical conversions of slowly decaying organic matter. These macronutrients boost new growth and restart nature’s cycle. Some tree species, such as hickory and sequoia, are even fire-activated and depend on wildfires for reproduction. Native American populations in the Northeast were among the world’s first wildfire managers, using controlled burns to enhance the growth of hickory nuts, a valuable food source.

Urban interface wildfire impacting suburban homes with smoke

Why Aerial Firefighting is Essential

Despite their ecological role, wildfires pose a severe danger to life and property globally. Arid forested regions are particularly vulnerable due to low humidity, low precipitation, and abundant fuel. Coupled with the varying impacts of climate change, this creates conditions for wildfires that are increasing in intensity and frequency each year. Often, flames rage to levels that become unsafe or unfeasible to manage solely from the ground. Ground fire crews face a growing challenge from the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, compounded by population growth and density near vulnerable areas, making ground efforts more dangerous and difficult.

To mitigate the damage caused by wildfires, regional and inter-governmental agencies implement fire mitigation strategies including controlled burns, fuel reduction programs, firebreak construction, and strategic resource placement. One critical strategy is the deployment of aerial firefighting assets.

Advantages of Aerial Firefighting

The primary goal of aerial firefighting aircraft companies is to support the needs of local firefighting agencies on the ground. Aircraft provide fire crews access to remote locations, help secure fire perimeters, protect buildings and structures, and reduce fire intensity. Aerial firefighting offers several key advantages:

• Accuracy: From above, aerial firefighting aircraft have the ability to strategically drop water or retardant precisely on or around the fire. Rotorcraft can hover to make targeted drops, while fixed-wing aircraft can release along a defined path. For those interested in aircraft capabilities, exploring resources on fighter aircraft manufacturers can provide broader context on aviation design, although specific to a different domain.

• Volume: Aerial firefighting aircraft provide an unparalleled capability to deliver massive amounts of water or retardant to targeted locations in a very short period. Rotorcraft like the Billings Flying Service CH-47D Chinook can transport up to 2,700 gallons, while large air tankers such as the DC-10 Air Tanker can hold over 9,000 gallons. Information on fire fighting planes for sale can offer insights into acquiring such high-capacity aircraft.

• Rapid Deployment and Speed: Aircraft and rotorcraft can deploy rapidly to hit crucial areas of a newly started wildfire, buying time for ground crews to arrive. Travel speeds are higher with direct flight paths, reducing response time. Rotorcraft and scoopers can refill from nearby lakes and reservoirs, eliminating the need to return to base for water replenishment.

• Reconnaissance: An aerial perspective is vital for informing ground agencies about the rate of fire growth, total area involved, proximity to structures, and other critical variables affecting decision-making and strategy.

Wildland firefighters observing wildfire spread on the ground

Key Roles in Aerial Firefighting

Aerial firefighters are the courageous men and women who directly confront the inherent dangers of wildfires. Pilots, mechanics, drivers, smokejumpers, and the air attack team are among the first responders. These positions represent opportunities to find aerial firefighting jobs. A key requirement for any aerial firefighter is the ability to operate effectively as a team. Every position demands a team player with excellent communication skills to minimize risk and maximize safety.

Aerial Firefighting Pilots

Pilots operate both fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft in and around the blaze. They are responsible for making fly/no-fly decisions, managing communication between all stakeholders, monitoring aircraft health, and piloting the aircraft to provide surveillance and drop water, retardant, or smokejumpers in the correct location amidst numerous hazards. Aerial firefighting pilots possess a unique skillset developed through industry experience and flight hours necessary to obtain proper type ratings. Pilots at aerial firefighting companies like Billings Flying Service often gain experience in the military, commercial aviation, agriculture, or logging before joining the team. The history of aviation, including topics like wwii japanese fighter aircraft, highlights the complex skills required for flying in challenging conditions.

Aerial Firefighting Mechanics

Mechanics are crucial for ensuring that aircraft used in aerial firefighting are inspected, repaired, maintained, and returned to airworthiness according to approved documentation. They monitor all aircraft systems and communicate with pilots and drivers on site. If a pilot identifies a discrepancy during a mission, the mechanic responds, provides feedback, and lends their expertise to resolve the issue if needed. Mechanics typically specialize in a specific aircraft platform and category. For example, mechanics at Billings Flying Service are maintenance experts on the CH-47 Chinook. Some specialize in avionics, while others focus on powerplant or hydraulics. Aviation mechanics in the aerial firefighting industry typically hold or work towards an FAA A&P license and certification or carding by fire agencies. Unlike pilots, mechanics often have opportunities to join the industry in entry-level positions. Considering the maintenance needs, information on subjects like military jet aircraft for sale or second hand fighter jets for sale touches upon the broader market for used aircraft, some of which might require similar maintenance expertise.

Aerial Firefighting Drivers

Drivers ensure aircraft are fueled and have the necessary support equipment to sustain operations. This equipment includes tooling, ground power units, consumable supplies, and replacement parts required by pilots and mechanics. Typical requirements include a CDL license and a hazmat certification for transporting fuel tankers. Wildfires often occur in remote locations without access to aviation refueling stations. Fuel tanker drivers bridge this gap by bringing fuel directly to the aircraft. Without drivers to deliver fuel and support equipment, aircraft would be grounded and unable to assist firefighting efforts. Billings Flying Service has a program to support entry-level drivers and provide training to acquire the appropriate certifications.

Aerial Firefighting Smokejumpers

Smokejumpers are wildland firefighters typically deployed to wildfires by parachute or helicopter. They are one of the first resources available to combat fires in remote or difficult-to-access areas. Smokejumpers are highly trained, experienced, and qualified to perform wildfire mitigation, rescue, and first aid in rugged terrain. Individuals usually have several years of experience in wildland firefighting and are often recruited from other fire agencies and crews into smokejumping programs. Smokejumpers are generally employed by federal and state agencies, not typically by private aerial firefighting companies such as Billings Flying Service.

Aerial Firefighting Air Attack Team

The Air Attack Team is a group or individual responsible for coordinating aerial resources on a wildfire. Aircraft are used for reconnaissance, planning, oversight, and providing feedback. The air attack team, or air tactical group, typically supervises deployed aerial assets from a higher altitude in a fixed-wing aircraft. This team may be run by either private companies or public agencies.

Fixed wing aircraft dropping water or retardant during an aerial firefighting mission

Types of Aerial Firefighting Aircraft

The aerial firefighting industry is a multi-billion dollar sector supporting a wide range of commercial companies globally. Within the United States, aerial firefighting aircraft are commonly categorized into five groups based on their capabilities and function.

Type 1 Rotorcraft

Type 1 rotorcraft are the largest aerial firefighting helicopters, capable of delivering up to 2,700 gallons of water or retardant. According to the United States Forest Service 2021 solicitation, Type 1 minimum performance standards include:

Rotorcraft that meet this criteria and fall within Type 1 include:

• CH-47D Chinook
• BV-234 Chinook
• BV-107
• S-64E, S-64F, CH-54A, CH-54B Skycrane
• K-1200 KMax
• S-61/SH-3H Sea King
• CH-46E Sea Knight

Type 2 Rotorcraft

Type 2 rotorcraft are medium-duty helicopters contributing significantly to aerial firefighting efforts. While lacking the capacity of Type 1 helicopters, scoopers, or air tankers, they offer flexibility to deliver water, retardant, or personnel. Type 2 helicopters primarily consist of larger Bell rotorcraft like the Bell 212 and 205 A1++, and the Sikorsky UH-60.

Per the United States Forest Service 2021 solicitation, Type 2 minimum performance standards are:

Type 3 Rotorcraft

Type 3 rotorcraft are the smallest category of aerial firefighting helicopters. This category is dominated by aircraft like the AS-350 A-Star manufactured by Airbus and the Bell Jet and Long Rangers. As per the May 2019 version of the Standards for Helicopter Operations, Type 3 performance parameters are:

Scoopers (Fixed Wing)

Scoopers are fixed-wing aircraft uniquely designed to refill their internal tanks by flying at low speeds over bodies of water. This capability means scoopers do not need to return to a runway for replenishment, offering a significant advantage over air tankers in certain situations. The Viking aircraft and the Air Tractor Fire Boss are prominent in the aerial firefighting scooper industry. Studies have shown scoopers to be an economically effective method compared to other aircraft types. The Viking CL-415EAF has a capacity of 1,412 gallons, and the AT-802F Fire Boss can carry 800 gallons.

Air Tankers (Fixed Wing)

Air tankers are fixed-wing aircraft equipped with internal tanks that are refilled with water or retardant at local runways. They are categorized into single-engine air tankers (SEAT), large airtankers, and very large airtankers. The AT-802F is the primary SEAT aircraft, delivering up to 800 gallons. Large airtankers deliver between 2,000 and 4,000 gallons, including aircraft such as the P2V, HC-130H, BAe-146, MD-87, C-130, RJ85, and C-130 H & J variants. Very large airtankers can deliver more than 9,000 gallons, a category that included the DC-10 and the decommissioned Global Super Tanker 747.

List of Fire Fighting Aircraft Companies in the USA

The aerial firefighting industry in North America features numerous specialized companies. Below is a list of some key Fire Fighting Aircraft Companies operating within the United States, detailing the types of aircraft they operate across the five categories discussed:

Contact Billings Flying Service

We at Billings Flying Service are deeply passionate about aerial firefighting. Our team has been actively involved in fighting wildfires since the mid-1990s, bringing decades of collective experience to every mission. You can find us at aerial firefighting conferences, visit our website at www.billingsflyingservice.com, or call our office directly to learn more about how we can serve your aerial firefighting needs or if you are interested in potentially joining our experienced team.