No Result
View All Result
AerialFire
  • Articles
    • Columns
    • Cover Stories
    • Drone/UAS
    • Feature Stories
    • Fire Regulations
    • Government
    • Ground Ops
    • Helicopter
    • International Operations
    • LAT
    • Press Release
    • Retardant
    • SEATs
    • Technology
    • VLAT
    • Wildfire
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Contact Us
Subscribe
AerialFire
  • Articles
    • Columns
    • Cover Stories
    • Drone/UAS
    • Feature Stories
    • Fire Regulations
    • Government
    • Ground Ops
    • Helicopter
    • International Operations
    • LAT
    • Press Release
    • Retardant
    • SEATs
    • Technology
    • VLAT
    • Wildfire
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Contact Us
Subscribe
AerialFire
No Result
View All Result
Home Aerial Fire News

Victorian Government Night Firefighting Aviation Program

by Dave Sodestrom
July 3, 2023
in Aerial Fire News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Victorian Government Night Firefighting Aviation Program

The state of Victoria in Australia is now in its seventh year of contiguous operations of the Night Fire Aviation Program (NFAP). From the humble beginnings of the program, it has now grown to employ state-of-the-art technology on multiple platforms.

This allows for the emergency management teams to manage a fire incident, and to further trial, understand, and develop the night aviation attack capability. The program is broken into two separate segments, night firebombing, and night aerial intelligence-gathering services.

Both segments were put to the test on several fires this year within the state. The program is supported with equipment from several operators who are on contract with Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) during the fire season. After an intensive workup or training program prior to the commencement of the program, all crews were currency certified and also flew several trial flights with their respective rotary platforms to satisfy all CASA and EMV requirements.

Mangalore-based Kestrel Aviation which has developed night fire-bombing systems onto its Bell 412 VH-KHU of Helitak 346, has been with the program from its earliest days.

Coulson Aviation Australia a subsidiary of the North American company, has also been involved with the program beginning with their Sikorsky S-61 and today with their larger Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Coulson is into its season of operations with the type for both day and nighttime aerial attacks.

The third company contributing to the program is Moorabbin base Microflite Aviation. The company is also no stranger to aerial firefighting with several of its helicopters on contract in Victoria and in other states as air attack platforms and air intelligence gathering (AIG) aircraft. Microflite operates its Airbus Helicopters H135 VH-UJQ or Firebird 308 for this mission. This helicopter has undergone significant upgrades to its external and internal features to make it mission capable.

The air attack platform has some of the latest technology incorporated into its operating features. This includes an infra-red high-definition video camera that relays information while airborne and also gathers data during the day and at night for incorporation into a fire attack strategy. The enhancements also enable decision-making while on an active fire and can be streamed to control centers to better inform operations.

EMV also opened a dedicated firebase at Essendon Fields Airport this year to accommodate the fleet as they grow the program giving the operational personnel premises to operate and integrate within.

The NFAP program will continue to allow it to be best practice within the aerial firefighting community within Australia. Several other states and territories have now signaled their intention to undergo a similar program and have been watching Victoria’s progress with keen interest.

The program operates alongside a 50-plus state fleet of aircraft, protecting Victorians from fire threats.

Tags: Aerial FirefightingCoulson AviationEmergency Management VictoriaEMVjulaug2023MicrofliteVictorian Government

Dave Sodestrom

Dave Sodestrom is a writer and photographer based in Victoria, Australia, and is one of the founders of Aviation Spotters Online.

Related Posts

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

by AerialFire Staff
May 28, 2025

ABBOTSFORD, CANADA (May 27, 2025) – Conair Group Inc. (Conair) has deployed two Daher TBM 960 Air Attack aircraft for...

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

by AerialFire Staff
May 27, 2025

● Simulator based on the complex S-64E helicopter, designed for specialized firefighting training. ● Equipped with complete ENWALL LED technology,...

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

by AerialFire Staff
May 23, 2025

Mosgiel, NZ, May 23, 2025 - Tabula, a leading provider of job management and fleet tracking solutions for aerial operations, has...

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

by AerialFire Staff
May 22, 2025

ALICANTE, Spain – May 22, 2025: Avincis, Europe’s leading provider of emergency aerial services, has been awarded new wildfire response...

Trending News

No Content Available
TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season
Press Release

TBM 960 Aircraft Deploys for First Wildfire Season

by AerialFire Staff
May 28, 2025
Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters
Aerial Fire News

Entrol Strengthens Pilot Training with the Delivery of S-64 FTD Level 6 Simulator to Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

by AerialFire Staff
May 27, 2025
Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness
Aerial Fire News

Tabula and Plane Finder Partner to Deliver ADS-B In Capability for Enhanced Cockpit Awareness

by AerialFire Staff
May 23, 2025
Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft
International Operations

Avincis Secures Firefighting Contracts in Spain for 14 Aircraft

by AerialFire Staff
May 22, 2025
AerialFire

© 2025 AerialFire, a Marsayl Media Publication. All rights Reserved.

Navigate Site

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Store
  • Current Issue
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

© 2025 AerialFire, a Marsayl Media Publication. All rights Reserved.

Skip to content
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Readable FontReadable Font
  • Reset Reset