PGAL’s Post

From landing lights and anticollision lights that ensure safety and compliance to lamps that enable a specific function—such as searchlights for police, firefighting, and rescue operations—securing the proper illumination for your aircraft fleet, whether for fixed-wing or rotorcraft, can make a huge difference in a mission’s success. Find this and more in our recent article in ROTOR magazine here: https://loom.ly/DgFIHFU #AircraftLighting Vertical Aviation International

New Life: How A Retired Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 Will Fight Dangerous Wildfires🔥 This Next Generation Fireliner can carry a whopping 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters) of water or fire retardant - double the payload of previous tankers! With its lower fuel burn, it can reach fires faster and make a bigger impact on initial attack missions. Coulson's CEO is pumped about this game-changing addition to their fleet of aerial firefighting beasts. The 737-700 builds on their successful 737-300 tanker program, but takes firefighting capabilities to new heights. When not battling blazes, this versatile jet can also handle cargo and passenger ops. Talk about a handy multi-tasker! 🔥✈️ With formidable aerial tankers like these, Coulson is ready to protect properties and the environment from devastating megafires. Firefighting just got a seriously impressive upgrade! 🚒

The venerable PBY-5A Canso was given another lease on life after the war as a water bomber on forest fires in Canada for many years.     The aircraft had ample range of up to 20 hours with full fuel when utilized on long-range patrols during the war. However, in a firebombing role the normal fuel load was 4-5 hours to supply the reliable Pratt & Whitney 1830 radial engines rated at 1200 hp.  The aircraft was modified to incorporate an 800 Imperial gallon interior bomb tank filled from a single hull-mounted hydraulic probe. The probe was activated from the cockpit once the Canso was established on the step on the water. It would fill the bomb tank in 12-15 seconds. The pilot then had the option to drop the water load in one of several combinations using the two flush hull mounted bomb doors. The normal drop was a ‘salvo’ where both bomb doors opened simultaneously dropping the entire load. (The image is of a practice retardant drop at Yellowknife) Alternatively, a pilot could drop a ‘single door’ on a small spot fire or do a ‘string drop’ releasing the two doors, one after the other, to extend the length of the water drop.   The Cansos operated by Avalon Aviation had a compressed air system on board to inject a dry powder called Ten-O-Gum into the water load prior to dropping. This pink colored water then provided the pilot with some reference as to where the load had gone on the ground for reference for subsequent drops. The author's "FIRE EATERS : Aerial Fire Fighting Over the Last Century." April, 2025  

The configuration of public safety #helicopters varies widely depending on the specific #mission requirements of each operator. Defining the mission is the crucial first step, encompassing factors such as primary and secondary mission types, frequency, and impact on #publicsafety. Budget considerations, weight management, and future mission needs are also essential aspects to consider when customizing these #aircraft for optimal performance and efficiency. Each operator's unique requirements demand careful planning and collaboration with #helicopter OEMs to ensure that the chosen configurations meet their specific mission needs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJY97P8z

🦅🚁 Elevating Safety: Mitigating Bird Strikes on Helicopters 🦅🚁 In our June/July edition of RotorHub International, Jop Dingemans had a look at bird strikes and took a look at the threats and their mitigation while debunking some myths. Bird strikes pose significant risks to helicopters, challenging pilots and engineers. Check out the statistics below on how the damage from bird strikes is distributed ⬇️ Apply here to view the entire June/July issue of RotorHub International: https://ow.ly/qSbH50SkWOs #helicopter #birdstrikes #rotorcraft #helicoptersafety #aviation

Helicopter 🚁 Rescue — San Bernardino county, California USA 🇺🇸 The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s aviation unit has upgraded a major part of their search and rescue operation. According to their newsletter – the new helicopter is a Bell 412 EPX medium lift twin engine which has increased payload capabilities and important for the hi-desert: better performance at high altitudes with hotter ambient temps https://lnkd.in/edgDdKpt

#Birdstrikes are a significant threat to #helicopter operations, with the FAA reporting an average of 47 #aircraft strikes daily in the US. To mitigate these risks, the FAA recommends strategies such as installing safety equipment, understanding #bird migration patterns, and maintaining heightened vigilance during #flights. Read the article here to find out more: https://lnkd.in/eMaUB5jS

Robinson Helicopter Company Acquires Ascent AeroSystems, Adding Tactical Uncrewed Solutions Portfolio with Assembly Taking Place at Robinson’s Vertically Integrated Manufacturing Facility in Torrance, CA Today, we brought a new company and its technology into the Robinson Helicopter family, Ascent AeroSystems. By integrating Ascent's expertise in UAS technology, we will gain access to new and expanding markets. This paves the way for our participation in critical missions across law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response, and medical operations. Through this acquisition, Robinson expands its capabilities to serve our customers in new, innovative, and impactful ways and puts our company at the forefront of emerging rotorcraft technologies. The benefits of this acquisition extend beyond market expansion. In the following year, we plan to integrate Ascent's products seamlessly into our manufacturing processes at our Torrance facilities. This strategic move will create dozens of additional jobs and the potential for hundreds more in the future, as well as opportunities for significant skills growth at Robinson in Torrance CA. For more on this news, see the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/ghdD5zGk #UncrewedSystems #LawEnforecemt #MedicalOperations #FireFighting #Aviation #Helicopters #Utility #Mission

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced the signed purchase agreement for two Bell 407GXis to Louisiana State Police. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/gHik-j-M #verticalmag #verticalmagazine #topstory #helicopters #bellhelicopter #belltextroninc #aviation #avgeeks #aviationarticle #airsupportunit