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Coulson Aviation USA Inc. announced that their C-130Q Hercules, the newest Next Generation Air Tanker, has now been approved by the United States Forest Service and has been dispatched for wildfire duty. Its first base of operation is located in San Bernardino, California.
Wayne Coulson, President and CEO, said: “We are honoured to be part of the USFS Next Generation Air Tanker team with our 3,500 USG C-130Q Hercules. We have had excellent support from the FAA who have worked very hard in concert with our team over the last 18 months to get this aircraft certified for its wildfire mission profile. This aircraft has been through an extensive overhaul to convert it from its former
military use to a civilian restricted category firefighting aircraft. Coulson’s turbo-prop C-130Q, while providing powerful and safe aerial options to the on-ground crews, carries the largest retardant payload for a propeller driven aircraft in the firefighting world.
“This C-130Q has been outfitted with a Coulson RADS-XL Constant Flow tank and a state-of-the-art drop controller system that will enhance the accuracy of retardant drops by using GPS speed and other inputs.”
Coulson believes that this aircraft will play a significant role in providing the aerial support to fight the seemingly growing wildfire crisis throughout the world.
