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ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – March 2, 2022 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced today the delivery of a HH-60 aerial fire system to Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Support Unit.
United Rotorcraft configured the aircraft with their FIRESYSTEM, including a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft, extended landing gear to accommodate the tank, and a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in 90 seconds. This equipment is designed to extinguish fires rapidly at their inception.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Support Unit currently operates an assortment of Bell OH-58 Kiowas and Bell UH-1 Hueys to support the growing demand of Aerial Firefighting and Search and Rescue operations in their region. The addition of this HH-60 fire support helicopter will not only significantly increase the unit’s but will also provide a higher level of safety for the operators and occupants. Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Division Chief, Anthony Stornetta, said, “With the addition of this state-of-the-art aircraft, we now have longer fuel cycles, shorter turn-around times, less time in the dip (filling the water tank), more water on the fires, and longer commitment to the command and control over the incident. Having the 1,000-gallon water capacity tank with the Blackhawk helicopter compared to the 260 gallons on the Huey aircraft, will provide the county better capability to extinguish fires. The modified HH-60 helicopter will also provide for safer trips to the islands for rescues and medical transport, while flying over the ocean. We would like to say thank you to the skilled workforce at United Rotorcraft, which was able to troubleshoot and correct deficiencies in the aircraft, all while providing seamless communication and a passion for detailed-oriented success.”
United Rotorcraft has transformed the legacy HH-60 aircraft by converting the twin-engine aircraft to a best in class aerial firefighting configuration by installing a Macro Blue avionics system to give pilots control over the FIRESYSTEM. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or as an external load, while becoming an amazing firefighting asset. These upgrades will significantly reduce pilot workload and increase mission effectiveness, while operating in a high-stakes environment.
“We thank the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Air Unit for its trust in United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving, mission-critical asset to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s team.” said United Rotorcraft’s President, Larry Alexandre. “We are proud to provide them with a tool that will significantly increase their mission capabilities. Santa Barbara County firefighters and the citizens they protect now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can attack fires at night, maneuver with agility in every condition imaginable, and save their livelihood on a greater scale than ever before.”
About United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, ( www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front line workers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.
CONTACTS: For more information on the FIRESYSTEM and/or United Rotorcraft, please contact *protected email* or Ramy Nasralla at *protected email*.
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – March 2, 2022 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced today the addition of two new Part 145 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Phoenix, Arizona to their current footprint in Denver, Colorado and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, enabling them to fulfil the MRO needs of helicopter operators across the US.
Larry Alexandre, United Rotorcraft’s President, says, “United Rotorcraft has a proven track record of providing world-class equipment and services in the helicopter industry and our latest network expansion demonstrates our intention to continue to grow our portfolio of services. We are excited to be able to serve operators throughout the United States, helping them minimize downtime reduce direct maintenance costs and optimize mission readiness.”
With its experience supporting Air Methods’ fleet of over 400 helicopters, United Rotorcraft’s network of MRO facilities possesses a unique level of expertise in maintenance and service engineering that is now available to support operators across the country. United Rotorcraft’s team of skilled technicians and mechanics represents an unmatched capacity ready to tackle all operators’ needs, from structural and composite repairs, to avionics, engine maintenance or paint.
United Rotorcraft is also uniquely positioned to provide first-class service through its array of supporting capabilities. With a service engineering group that is always available to support during repairs, along with in-house FAA Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), Design Airworthiness Representatives (DARs), and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), United Rotorcraft is able to ensure regulatory compliance, while also completing work more quickly and efficiently.
This network expansion is yet another step taken by United Rotorcraft to further develop its array of services while giving operators more options for cost-effective and reliable support.
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, ( www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in the design, manufacture, and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front line workers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS, and Medevac.
CONTACTS: For more information on the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, please contact *protected email* or Ramy Nasralla at *protected email*.
KIELCE, Poland – September 7, 2021 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, isexcited to grow its partnership with PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, which manufactures the S70™ Black Hawk® helicopter. When equipped by United Rotorcraft with a water tank system, customcabin interior, and cockpit controls, the resulting FIREHAWK® aircraft has become a symbol of aerialfirefighting excellence in the United States.
“United Rotorcraft has the highest confidence in the workforce at PZL Mielec to produce and deliver thehigh performance S-70 helicopter,” said United Rotorcraft President Larry Alexandre. “As the onlyFIREHAWK completion center approved by Sikorsky, United Rotorcraft can confirm that firefighters inCalifornia are delighted with the craftsmanship of their S-70 aircraft and the ability to safely andefficiently attack wildfires.”
On 26 August, United Rotorcraft announced a contract award to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company,for five S-70 Black Hawk aircraft. PZL Mielec will deliver all five aircraft to United Rotorcraft from early2022 to mid-2023. United Rotorcraft anticipates all five will become FIREHAWK aircraft. To date, thecompany has a confirmed order to modify one of the five aircraft for aerial firefighting — to the State ofColorado.
Alexandre said there is significant interest by government agencies in the Western United States andinternationally for the FIREHAWK capability. “In anticipation of future orders, and knowing there is anurgent need to deliver this capability quickly, United Rotorcraft is taking the unusual step of contractingwith Sikorsky for five S-70 aircraft when only one aircraft has been ordered,” he said.
Since 2019, United Rotorcraft has modified and delivered 10 Polish-built S-70 aircraft to Californiafirefighters. Two of these FIREHAWK aircraft are serving with the Los Angeles County Fire Department,seven with the State of California (CAL FIRE), and one with the City of San Diego Fire-Rescuedepartment. Four more S-70 aircraft from Poland are in various stages of FIREHAWK modification at theUnited Rotorcraft facility near Denver, Colorado. The twelfth and final aircraft ordered by CAL FIRE is onthe PZL Mielec Black Hawk production line.
“The employees at PZL Mielec take great satisfaction in knowing that their efforts to build S-70 aircraftfor wildland firefighting are saving lives, and protecting property and forestry,” said Janusz Zakręcki, PZLMielec president and general director. “The military pedigree of the Black Hawk platform is ideal for thetask of aggressively attacking wildfires. We thank United Rotorcraft and Sikorsky for their collaborativework with California fire departments to produce yet another outstanding mission capability for themulti-role Black Hawk helicopter.”
PRESS RELEASE7301 South Peoria | Englewood, CO 80112 | 303.792.7400United Rotorcraft adds a 3,785-liter (1,000-gallon) external water tank to the belly of the S-70 aircraft,extended landing gear to accommodate the tank, and a retractable snorkel that can refill the tank inless than one minute. Other modifications can include a rescue hoist, seating to transport up to 12 fullyequipped ground firefighters, and medical equipment.
United Rotorcraft EMEA Sales Manager Alexandra Slabutu will attend MSPO 2021. She can be contactedat *protected email*.
About United RotorcraftUnited Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, (www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in thedesign, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front lineworkers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.MEDIA CONTACT: For more information about the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, pleasecontact *protected email*, or Ramy Nasralla at *protected email*.
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – August 24, 2021 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation,has awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, a contract for five S-70™ BLACK HAWK® helicopters.The bulk order will enable United Rotorcraft, as the only company authorized by Sikorsky to modifyBLACK HAWK aircraft to the FIREHAWK® configuration, to quickly deliver these new production aircraftfor aerial firefighting in support of public agencies battling increasingly destructive wildland fires.
“The FIREHAWK helicopter is fast becoming one of the most powerful and effective aerial firefightingassets in California, attacking and extinguishing wildfires before they spread out of control,” said LarryAlexandre, United Rotorcraft president. “Acquiring five S-70 BLACK HAWK aircraft from Sikorsky withdeliveries over the next 7 to 18 months confirms United Rotorcraft’s commitment to the FIREHAWKhelicopter and its mission, and ensures their availability to support future demand from U.S. WesternStates or firefighting agencies around the world.”
Sikorsky will produce the five S-70 BLACK HAWK aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s PZL Mielec manufacturingline in Poland. Deliveries to United Rotorcraft’s 55,000+ square foot completions facility in Colorado are expected between early 2022 and mid-2023. The first aircraft received will be configured as a FIREHAWKhelicopter for the State of Colorado, which announced its contract with United Rotorcraft on Aug. 16.
“Sikorsky and United Rotorcraft have worked closely for 25 years to develop, test and upgrade two S-70variants of the FIREHAWK helicopter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, CAL FIRE and the SanDiego Fire-Rescue Department,” said Jason Lambert, vice president of Sikorsky Global Commercial andMilitary Systems. “We applaud United Rotorcraft’s bold leadership to bring the toughest, safest, mostreliable fire suppression and rescue helicopter in existence today into the hands of first responderssooner than ever.”
To modify a Black Hawk helicopter to the FIREHAWK configuration, United Rotorcraft installs andintegrates a 1,000-gallon (3,785-liter) external water tank system to the aircraft’s belly. Fingertipcontrols allow pilots to drop the precise amount of water with high accuracy and refill the tank via aretractable snorkel in 60 seconds or less while hovering 10 feet over a water source. United Rotorcraftworks hand in hand with public agencies to further customize the aircraft, as needed, fromcommunications and navigation systems, to cabin interiors, transforming the FIREHAWK into a truemulti-mission aircraft, with the ability to transport up to 12 firefighters, provide medical care on board,or perform search and rescue operations.
Thirteen S-70 FIREHAWK helicopters currently fighting fires across California are operated by CALFIRE,Los Angeles County Fire Department, and San Diego Fire Rescue Department. Five more contractedaircraft are on the way.
About United RotorcraftUnited Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, (www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in thedesign, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front lineworkers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.
About Lockheed MartinHeadquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospacecompany that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in theresearch, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technologysystems, products and services.
Media ContactsRamy Nasralla, 346-786-1487, *protected email*, www.unitedrotorcraft.comFrans Jurgens, 203-615-8293, *protected email*, www.lockheedmartin.com/firehawk
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) announced today the signing of a contractwith United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, to complete and deliver a Sikorsky S70iFIREHAWK® helicopter.
Configured by United Rotorcraft with a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft, an extendedlanding gear to accommodate the tank, a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in less than one minute, anda rescue hoist, S70i FIREHAWK® helicopters are designed to stop fires in their tracks before they have the chanceto grow. These helicopters will allow fire crews to aggressively attack and suppress wildfires, transport up to 12fully equipped ground firefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.“Following one of the worst fire seasons our state has seen, coupled with the trend of increasing wildfireoccurrence and impacts, it is critical to increase the state’s capacity to respond to these incidents,” said DFPCDirector Mike Morgan.
Larry Alexandre, President of United Rotorcraft, adds, “We are incredibly proud to be the exclusive completioncenter for the FIREHAWK® helicopter, and even more proud to deliver one to our home state. Firefighting andlife-saving missions hold a special place within the heart and values of our company. We appreciate the trust thatthe people of Colorado have put in us, and plan to deliver a product unlike any other.”
Senate Bill 21-113, signed by Governor Polis on March 21, 2021, authorized the purchase of the S-70iTMhelicopter, capable of performing both firefighting and non-fire missions.
Not only will the FIREHAWK® be an additional resource for aggressive and early initial attack on a wildfire, but itcan also be used for longer duration wildfires in the state.
“A State-owned aircraft will increase DFPC’s capacity to respond to wildfires on a year-round basis,” said VinceWelbaum, DFPC Aviation Unit Chief.
With its multi-mission capabilities, this helicopter is able to be used across a plethora of missions withinColorado. It can be used from rockslide and avalanche prevention to wildlife counts and livestock preservation.The FIREHAWK® ® can continue to save lives through search and rescue and medical evacuation missionThe aircraft is projected to be delivered to Centennial, Colorado and United Rotorcraft early 2022, at which pointit will begin its transformation into an elite multi-mission, firefighting machine that will serve the residents ofColorado for many years into the future. DFPC anticipates the State will take delivery of the FIREHAWK®Helicopter sometime in the later part of 2022.
About United RotorcraftUnited Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, (www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in the design,manufacture, and installation of ground and aerial mission-critical equipment for front line workers, fromfirefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac. For more information on the FIREHAWK® ® aircraftand/or United Rotorcraft, please contact *protected email*, or Ramy Nasralla at*protected email*.
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – May 25, 2021 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporationannounced today the delivery of two HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters to Ventura County Air Unit.Configured by United Rotorcraft with a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft; anextended landing gear to accommodate the tank; a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in lessthan one minute; a fully glass cockpit; a custom avionics package; and a rescue hoist, these HH-60LFIREHAWK® helicopters will allow fire crews to attack wildfires, transport up to 10 fully equipped groundfirefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.
Ventura County Air Unit has been in operation since 1971 and currently operates four different Bell UH-1 Hueys; one each of the HH-1H, UH-1H, Bell 205B, Bell 212, and one Bell 206 Long Ranger, in addition
to their two new HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters. The County has continued to perfect the tacticsneeded to suffocate wildfires in their early stage when a fire is most vulnerable, while simultaneouslyworking in close coordination with firefighting crews on the ground. Ventura County’s HH-60LFIREHAWK® aircraft are more powerful and faster than all of their current aircraft, allowing them tocarry approximately three times the amount of water, while traveling at speeds of up to 130 knots. Thismeans the crews arrive on scene sooner, with significantly more firefighting power, preventingdestruction better than ever before.“With wildfire season continuing to grow in duration and intensity across Western States, theFIREHAWK® helicopter has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Larry Alexandre, president ofUnited Rotorcraft. “This aircraft brings unmatched multi-mission capability to Ventura County’s firefighters in their effort to protect lives and property.”United Rotorcraft has completely revolutionized the HH-60L aircraft by converting the twin-engineaircraft to its aerial firefighting configuration. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowingaircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally oras an external load. United Rotorcraft integrated and installed newly upgraded tactical, communication,and navigation systems to specifications based on input from Ventura County Air Unit.Along with its signature firefighting tank, United Rotorcraft has also installed a 600 lb. external rescuehoist, a 9,000 lb. cargo hook with a load cell system, forward recognition lights, and a high intensitysearchlight onto each aircraft. The HH-60L’s outdated analogue gauge cockpit was replaced by a fullyintegrated, glass avionics suite to reduce pilot workload and increase mission effectiveness whileoperating in high-stakes environments. These new systems also give the crews the capability to trackexactly when, where, and how much water was taken onboard, so they can replace the water after themission is complete.“We thank Ventura County Air Unit for their trust in United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving, firefightinghelicopter to the urban centers and forests of California,” said Brit McDermett, vice president of sales &marketing at United Rotorcraft. “Their firefighters now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can
PRESS RELEASE
7301 South Peoria | Englewood, CO 80112 | 303.792.7400
attack fires at night, maneuver with agility and safety in canyons and terrain in every imaginablecondition, while dropping water with tremendous precision and force.”Ventura County Fire Department Division Chief, Gary Monday, concluded, “The addition of our newlymodified HH-60L helicopters into the Firehawk community will provide an excellent service to thecitizens of Ventura County. The modifications that United Rotorcraft performed were doneprofessionally, and with excellent craftsmanship. The high landing gear that enables a 1000-gallon fixedtank is invaluable to our wildfire fighting mission. The instrument panel is state of the art, with dualGarmin 750’s and Garmin EFI. The newly incorporated radios are complemented by Technisonic TDFM9600 all band radio. The aircraft’s capabilities also include a moving map and FLIR. The TrakkaBeamsearchlight is externally mounted under the nose of the aircraft and will be of great value to us. To allowus Search and Rescue capabilities, there is a BF Goodrich rescue hoist that has the capability to providerescue up to 300 feet below the aircraft. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of the work performedby the United Rotorcraft team.”
About United RotorcraftUnited Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, ( www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in thedesign, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front lineworkers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.CONTACTS: For more information on the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, pleasecontact *protected email*, or Ramy Nasralla at *protected email*.
Article written on MultiBriefs.com
If you attended the Heli-Expo show earlier this month in Louisville, you got to see snow as well as some interesting things on the show floor — including a mock-up of a Bell 505 light single with a United Rotorcraft EMS interior. Generally, you wouldn’t think a helicopter this small would be suitable for the HEMS mission, but its flat floor and big doors get if just over the goal line…view full article.
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – December 9, 2019 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced today deliveries of three new S-70i™ FIREHAWK® helicopters to California fire agencies: one each to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), and the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Configured by United Rotorcraft with a newly designed 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft; an extended landing gear to accommodate the tank; a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in less than one minute; and a rescue hoist, the FIREHAWK helicopters will allow fire crews to attack wildfires, transport up to 12 ground firefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.
CAL FIRE’s newly acquired S-70i FIREHAWK helicopter is the first of nine aircraft currently on order, with an option for three more. CAL FIRE and San Diego are both first-time operators of the aerial firefighting helicopter.
LACoFD has operated three older S-70A model FIREHAWKs since 2001. During the ensuing 19 years, the county has pioneered and perfected the tactics needed to suffocate wildfires in their early stage when a fire is most vulnerable, and while working in close coordination with other aircraft and firefighting crews on the ground. The county’s new S-70i FIREHAWK aircraft is the first of two — more powerful and faster than the older S-70A model — that LACoFD is adding to its fleet.
“With the increase in wildfire danger, the FIREHAWK helicopter has never been more relevant to the State of California,” said Mike Slattery, president of United Rotorcraft. “This capability brings unmatched multi-mission capability to these firefighting agencies to protect lives and property.”
United Rotorcraft contracted with KAWAK Aviation Technologies (Bend, Oregon) to design and manufacture the water tank to new specifications based on input from LACoFD. Among other equipment on each aircraft are a 600 lb. external rescue hoist, a 9,000 lb. cargo hook with load cell system, forward recognition lights and a high intensity searchlight. Avionics installations include tactical communications and navigation systems.
“We thank CAL FIRE, the County of Los Angeles and the City of San Diego for their trust in the combined efforts of Sikorsky and United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving aerial firefighting helicopter to the urban centers and forests of California,” said Jason Lambert, vice president of Sikorsky Global Military & Mission Systems. “Their fire fighters now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can attack fires at night, in strong Santa Ana winds, maneuver with agility and safety in canyons and terrain from sea level up to 10,000 ft altitude, while dropping water with tremendous precision and force.”
A FIREHAWK begins life at Stratford-Connecticut-based Sikorsky as an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter. United Rotorcraft then converts the twin-engine aircraft to its aerial firefighting configuration. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or as an external load.
For more information contact:
Meg Giovannini, United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division 303-749-1353 *protected email*www.unitedrotorcraft.com
Frans Jurgens, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company 203-615-8293 *protected email* www.lockheedmartin.com/firehawk
United Rotorcraft is on fire, figuratively speaking. The Air Methods maintenance and modification division has seen a surge of interest and orders in recent months for its Firehawk conversion program that turns new and used Sikorsky Blackhawks to 1,000-gallon waterbombers.
In August the company received a contract to convert two repurposed U.S. Army HH-60Ls to Firehawks for California’s Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit. The reconfigured aircraft will include an aerial firefighting mission package with extended landing gear, firefighting tank, and a retractable snorkel system.
A multi-mission interior, including reconfigurable crew stations, will be installed to allow the aircraft to perform a variety of missions such as firefighting, fire crew transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. In addition to mission equipment, upgraded avionics and a new instrument panel will be installed on the flight deck.
This month, the company announced a contract to complete an S-70i to Firehawk configuration for the San Diego Fire Rescue Department next year. The contracts add to existing orders in work from CalFire, with five aircraft remaining, and from Los Angeles County for two aircraft, according to company president Mike Slattery. The new orders, coupled with existing work, have a cumulative total of 10 aircraft.
The CalFire contract alone, valued last year at $240 million, had called for a total of 12 aircraft over three years that as of now will keep the program running to at least 2020, Slattery said. But he believes the program has a bright future well beyond that date for two main reasons: fire seasons are getting longer and the Firehawk’s ability to quickly drop more water on a fire faster and for less money.
“The fire season is extending,” Slattery said, and that means operators need more equipment. “You’re getting in a situation where you can’t have seasonal firefighting. It used to be you fight fires in North America then operators take their aircraft and go fight fires in Australia. The problem is that the fire seasons are starting to overlap and you are getting to the point where you cannot move aircraft like that. It will put pressure on the inventory to place aircraft in both hemispheres.” For this reason alone, the Firehawk program “is attracting a lot of international interest,” according to Slattery.
Thanks to the 1,000-gallon capacity water tank and the helicopter’s speed, he maintains the Firehawk is one of the most cost-effective ways to put water on a fire. “It carries more water than a bucket and flies en route a lot faster. We calculate firefighting efficiency as gallons of water per hour.
“The Firehawk is one of the most fire efficient aircraft because of its speed. You can fly at more than 130 knots fully loaded and 150 knots unloaded. You are going back and forth [to the fire] screaming. A Skycrane lumbers along at about 100 mph. Most other aircraft are limited to 110 knots, and bucketed aircraft are limited to about 80 knots.
“Sure a Skycrane can carry 2,500 gallons but a Firehawk goes back and forth quicker—and then once you look at cost efficiency, dollars per gallon, the Firehawk is one of the cheapest aircraft to fly,” he said.
According to Slattery, it does not make sense to convert all vintages of used Blackhawks to Firehawks due to the need to upgrade engines and transmissions on older models and that the used HH-60Ls were likely the most suitable, but were in short supply. “An L model is pretty much ready to get the modification once you get it reset, but to be long-term sustainable you need to upgrade those avionics so we’re working on that with commercial components for Ventura County,” he said.
Customers such as CalFire are opting for brand new S-70i aircraft straight from Sikorsky and that is where Slattery sees the bulk of his company’s new business coming in the future.
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