Send in the Super Puma for aerial firefighting operations

Since 1977, operator Custom Helicopters has offered a versatile fleet to cater for any mission their customers may require. Historically focused on single-engine utility work in Canada, they recently expanded operations to include larger multi-engine aircraft. CEO Jed Hansen explains the impact the Super Puma is having on their firefighting operations.

What are the particularities of operating in Canada?

Jed Hansen: Our operations span coast to coast to coast in Canada, covering from the Pacific to the Atlantic and as far north as possible. The operating environment presents challenges such as varying terrain and temperatures ranging from -40 to +40°C. Additionally, Canada experiences diverse and challenging weather conditions. Our fleet of Airbus aircraft has proven to be reliable and capable in all these environments. Reliability is crucial, especially in remote areas where our customers depend on the aircraft for daily transportation. Our Airbus fleet has enabled us to provide excellent service.

How are your Super Pumas deployed on fire suppression missions?

J.H.: Primarily, the Super Pumas are used for water bombing. However, their civilian certification allows them to perform additional tasks, such as transporting crews to and from the fire line and moving people in emergency situations. For instance, during a fire that threatened a remote community, the Super Puma was instrumental in evacuating hundreds of people to a nearby airport, providing a swift and effective means to get out when there were limited options and time was critical. Another time, we evacuated a community, we got the people out, but in an emergency only essentials can come, so the pets got left behind. We worked with the community and sent in the Puma. It was quite the scene when it showed up back at the airport loaded with pet crates from front to back, floor to ceiling. Seeing all those pets being saved, reunited and the smiles on the faces of the families and specifically the kids was amazing.

What are the advantages of fighting fires with a Super Puma?

J.H.: The Super Puma is a proven utility aircraft capable of operating in challenging, harsh, and remote environments. It boasts an increased external gross weight compared to other variants, allowing it to lift substantial loads. With its impressive speed and range, the Super Puma can carry more fuel than other heavy aircraft while lifting the same amount of water. This capability enables extended operations on the fire line, delivering more water to combat fires threatening homes and communities. 

Fire operations are often conducted at remote or temporary bases rather than returning to a hangar each day. The Puma L2 has proven effective in this environment, and its 10,000 lbs of lift with a close water source means it is the leader on the amount of water it can drop on a fire in an hour. If the water is close enough, which is often the case in Canada, we can do really quick turns. If we get 10 or 12 drops an hour on a fire, we’re looking at 40,000+ litres of water, which really makes a difference. If we look at increasing capability with the addition of a tank on a Puma and we can drop water both day and night, that volume of water on a fire in a 24-hour period is material. It’s going to make a difference. Looking at the dollar cost per litre of water dropped, the Puma does start to set itself apart.

What is next on the horizon?

J.H.: We are collaborating with United Rotorcraft and DART Aerospace as a launch customer supporting their development of a 1,000-gallon firefighting tank for the Puma family. We anticipate the tank will be available later this year. They have a proven system that is utilised on many other aircraft types, and we have no doubt this new innovative tank system will be a great new option for the Puma. The water bucket is effective, but we expect the new tank to improve our operations, particularly with night vision goggles (NVG). We anticipate that significant forest fire incidents will continue to occur, like California recently experienced, and this superior tank will significantly enhance our effectiveness.

*This article was originally published in issue 137 of Rotor magazine. 
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