History
In 1972, the WSK PZL Warszawa Okęcie company started a ZUA (Agro Aviation Services Unit) operational division to provide aerial firefighting operations and agro-aviation services. This division began in Poland and has grown to be a global provider of firefighting services , now operating under Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. or MZL for short.
During its more than 50 years, ZUA has undergone various ownership changes. In 2001, the European consortium EADS CASA (later Airbus Poland S.A.) purchased 51% of PZL “Warszawa-Okecie” shares. Thus, ZUA was incorporated into the structure of the largest European aviation company.
On October 31, 2022, a company of the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation from Warsaw, established in May 2022 under the name Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o., became the buyer of the Aviation Services Business Unit (former ZUA) from Airbus Poland S.A., taking over all the assets and employees and continuing its current operations as an independent entity.
Aircraft
In 1980, ZUA began purchasing a new specialist aircraft, the PZL M-18 Dromader. It was manufactured in Mielec as a development of the famous Thrush Commander aircraft in the West. Since 1980, 84 units have been purchased. Currently, MZL owns 25 units of PZL M-18 Dromader, which, in addition to the 9 AN-2s, constitute the primary fleet of MZL. Due to its development plans, the company has supplemented its fleet with additional units. It has long-term plans to develop its own aerial firefighting and agricultural aircraft native to the Polish manufacturer.
MZL chose the PZL M18 Dromader as a specialist aircraft designed with firefighting in mind. The M-18 is a single-engine, low-wing, all-metal monoplane with a tricycle fixed-type main gear, a tail wheel, and a hopper located forward of the cockpit. The aircraft is designated for operation from short and unpaved airstrips, which are invaluable in firefighting, where access to airport infrastructure can be limited in specific service areas the company works in. Its durability and reliability make it “an aircraft we can rely on in all conditions, which offers exceptional performance, providing unmatched efficiency and versatility in implementing our operations.,” said the company. The 25-strong M18 Dromader fleet owned by MZL can be easily modified to an agricultural version, making it a truly multi-mission aircraft.
Firefighting Growth in Poland
Since 1960, every aviator has been responsible for forest protection duties and fire spotting. They report what they see from the air, be it fire or smoke, to the Polish authorities for action. However, in 1967, the government introduced its first constant patrol of forested areas with a greater fire risk.
Initially, Poland employed the AN-2 aircraft for aerial firefighting; however, the AN-2’s small tank and canvas wings were significant limitations. The later introduction of the M-18 Dromader brought considerable progress and was the best suited for aerial firefighting operations. Tests of its use for aerial firefighting began in 1983 at Poland’s Forest Research Institute.
Field testing of the Dromader also occurred in 1983 at the OBR Mielec experimental base in Krystkowice, Poland, and then in Gozdnica, Poland. Here, ZUA pilots were also trained in all aspects of aerial firefighting operations, which was an entirely new concept for the country.
Also, in 1983, the country’s fire protection system began to be organized using technology developed at the Forest Research Institute. 1984 saw the establishment of the first Aviation Forest Bases (LBL) in Warsaw and Szczecin. In the following years, the number of bases expanded dramatically to 14 nationwide. Bases were established in Poland’s most fire-threatened forested areas to provide maximum efficiency.
Fire bases in Poland are open from March to October, and the planes are intended to be a rapid response factor in detecting and extinguishing fires in their initial phase and to stop them from spreading. Each base is stationed with one or two M-18 Dromader aircraft. The base contains water tanks, refueling devices, fuel supplies, and foaming agents. The crews are on constant duty in constant readiness for flights, especially on weekends and public holidays when the forests are more frequently visited by tourists and locals alike.
Each base cooperates closely with State Forest employees, who supervise and coordinate the work of the bases, and with local Fire Department units as needed for fire operations. Cooperation and communication with the air traffic controllers are also necessary for planning and obtaining flight permission. As part of the contracted firefighting services, the aircraft in Forest Bases are also used for agricultural purposes to perform spraying missions to combat forest pests. They are equipped with firegates and spray booms and are equipped for whatever mission is necessary.
| The Impressive Payload and Operational Efficiency of PZL M18 Dromader |
| Payload: The Dromader carries up to 2,200 liters of payload, allowing for more operations in fewer flights, increasing the efficiency of our operations in both firefighting operations and agricultural spraying. |
| Water tank: The large tank allows for longer flights without the need for frequent replenishment of water. |
| Multi-function firefighting system |
| Water-bomb: ground pattern size – 25×90 m; hopper discharge time – 2,2 sec. |
| Line-drop: isolating drops – small flap,
from width of 20 m at the line-drop start to 10 m at the end; total pattern length – 470 m; extinguishing load can be divided into a few portions; hopper load discharge time (2200 l.) – 11 sec. |
| Ability to operate in difficult conditions: |
| Short take-off and landing: The Dromader can operate on runways as short as 400-500 meters, even if they are unpaved, which is ideal for forest fires with limited access. |
| Strong landing gear: Designed to operate on uneven surfaces, minimizing the risk of damage. |
| High reliability and low maintenance costs: |
| Robust construction: Known for its strength and reliability, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. |
| Simple servicing: Allows for quick and easy service work, crucial for high operational readiness. |
| Versatile applications: |
| Firefighting: Quickly adapted to extinguish fires, invaluable in the protection of forests and agricultural areas. |
| Agro-aviation: Ideal for precision spraying and fertilization, increasing the efficiency of agricultural operations. |
| Speed and range: |
| Cruising speed: Around 200 km/h, allowing for quick access to operation sites. |
| Range: Up to 1,000 km with a full tank of fuel, enabling long-term operations. |
Global Operations
From 1999-2009 ZUA was contracted to fight forest fires in Portugal with 8 M-18 Dromader aircraft, while the company also provided key support in Chile, providing 11 PZL M-18 Dromaders from 1998-2008. Since 2023, MZL has also been providing fire protection services in Germany, based within the Harz district, and in 2024, the company also expanded operations into Turkey, operating out of a base in Adana. MZL focuses the core of its activity still protecting Polish forests against fire and pests, with work covering almost 80% of Poland operating out of 17 aviation forest bases. However, their global footprint continues to expand.
Regarding international contracts, MZL always operates in close coordination with local fire services, including crisis intervention agencies and fire departments dependent on the country. Collaboration for MZL is the key to aligning each country’s needs with the scope of operations, which also involves utilizing available resources, such as aerial coordination, allowing the company to effectively manage operations while ensuring support and compliance with local procedures.
Working in other countries offers many challenges for MZL, with one of the main challenges being communication, thanks to the different languages spoken and the diversity of geographical conditions that impact firefighting strategies and cooperation with local services. Each country has its unique procedures, requiring flexibility and adaptation. Understanding local regulations and building relationships with local agencies is crucial for effective response to crisis situations and enhancing the efficiency of our operations for MZL during overseas operations.
Drop Techniques
MZL pilots use several techniques depending on the type of fire they are fighting. These include Isolation drops, line drops (indirect), and direct fire attacks. The purpose of isolation drops is to decrease the area of fire by building wet curtains and barriers. This technique is recommended for grass and young tree fires.
Direct drops, or “water bombing,” involve dropping directly on the fire or part of it to extinguish flames. This type of dumping is recommended when the fire begins, aiming for early suppression before flames reach the tops of tree canopies. After-burning drops are used to saturate the ground of an already burned-over area to prevent flare-ups and reignition of almost-contained fires. Foam is also used by MZL pilots for border isolation of a fire, much like retardant to wet down trees and dry grass.
Equipped for Success
When fighting fires in often inhospitable terrain in foreign countries, MZL relies on the strength of the M-18 Dromader, with its strong landing gear facilitating many landings at off-base strips. This is in addition to the ASz-62 IR model 1000hp Piston engine, which suits the company for work in all conditions (including smoke, sand, and dust). The engine can also restart in the field hot and does not require prior cooling after operation, which is a massive plus on quick turns during fire operations.
The M-18 fleet is also equipped with a multi-function firefighting system able to drop a ground pattern size – 25x90m with a hopper discharge time of 2.2 seconds for a full salvo release. The smaller framed M-18 is also capable of isolation drops with a width of 20 meters (65 Feet) and a total pattern length of 470 meters (1500ft).
The Dromader fleet uses a ‘fire gate’ system, which allows for precise application of firefighting agents. The Dromader has a water discharge system in two variants: ‘water bomb’ and ‘drop line.’
The ‘water bomb’ variant enables quick and effective dumping of large amounts of water on the fire-affected area, particularly in intense flames and large fires. In contrast, the ‘drop line’ system allows for creating isolation barriers, making it ideal for preventing the spread of fires.
Big Wins
MZL’s success in Poland and other countries is a mix of many successful traits as a company, but the speed of deployment has always been a prided tactic of the company, evidenced in 2020 in Poland when MZL crews were dispatched to a large fire in Biebrza National Park. The Minister of the Environment presented medals to pilots on that fire, “For Merit for Environmental Protection and Water Management,” for taking part in the firefighting operation over Biebrzawhich was the highest level of government appreciation for their professionalism and commitment.
Several other instances where MZL has dispatched aircraft quickly have saved many acres of forested land, including sending additional aircraft and crews, who responded quickly to a firefighting operation in the Harz National Park in Germany in September this year.
When Time Counts
Part of the challenges of operating in multiple countries mean that logistics are a huge concern. In addition to aircraft, staff have to be ferried to the location; the need for maintenance crews on the ground at each base is just as essential to MZL as pilots, in addition to the need to ferry the aircraft to each location and make sure each location has enough spares, staff in rotation when the company is operating in three countries at a time can prove a challenge for MZL, but nothing the company hasn’t overcome in the many years of operating in multiple countries.
Safety
Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze (MZL) values safety as the most significant priority in the company. Operations are based on strict adherence to procedures and the implementation of modern systems that ensure high safety standards and operational efficiency. Key elements of safety procedures used at MZL include the use of a Safety Management System (SMS) – a comprehensive approach to safety management in an aviation organization, which includes risk identification, threat assessment, monitoring and analysis of events, and implementation of corrective actions.
MZL also employs a Personnel Support Program (PEERS) – The PEERS Aviation Program, implemented at Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze, is an integral element of their approach to managing safety and operational efficiency. The company ensures the highest safety and efficiency standards in firefighting and agricultural aviation missions through systematic training, support, monitoring, and implementation of modern technologies.
Crews working for the company are also subject to a duty time register, a system for monitoring and documenting crew members’ working hours and rest times. The register ensures that working hours do not exceed permitted limits and that crews have adequate time to regenerate.
The Future
One of the biggest challenges in developing a firefighting business is equipment. Using the M18 Dromader aircraft, which formed the backbone of the firefighting services at MZL since the company’s inception, will not last as the aircraft ages. The company sees the growing need to introduce a new aircraft to the market that could further enhance its efficiency.
MZL also holds a manufacturing organization certificate, which opens up new development opportunities. The company plans to introduce a new firefighting aircraft based on the M18 model but with significant improvements. MZL intends to increase the tank’s capacity and implement a turbine engine, allowing even more effective and efficient firefighting operations. This will enable the company to meet the market’s growing demands and respond better to crises.
Staffing
MZL employs 109 people throughout the operation, including 38 people responsible for contract management, documentation, operation planning, and organizational support. The company has 35 pilots specializing in agro-aviation and firefighting operations backed up by a maintenance crew of 36 mechanics responsible for aircraft maintenance, repair, preparation, and ongoing maintenance. Their work ensures the reliability and safety of the fleet, which is necessary for effective operations performance.
What Makes MZL Stand Out?
What sets MZL apart from other global fire service providers is its versatile fleet, which can be quickly reconfigured for agricultural aviation use or firefighting with minimal notice. This flexibility allows MZL to respond swiftly to various needs of their customer base, whether in firefighting or agricultural support.
With over 50 years of global experience, MZL has honed its ability to adapt to customer requirements efficiently and effectively. With extensive industry knowledge and a proven track record, the company has continued implementing innovative solutions tailored to specific situations.
Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze stands out from other companies thanks to its comprehensive approach to developing the agricultural aviation and aerial firefighting industry in Poland and beyond. Despite national restrictions, it actively builds social awareness, participates in international fairs and tenders, and cooperates with global clients.
Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze’s philosophy of safe operation is based on systematic safety management, continuous training, maintaining high technical standards, precise operating procedures, a strong safety culture, and monitoring and analyzing operations. Thanks to this, MZL ensures the highest safety and efficiency standards in their aerial firefighting work.
