JANUARY / FEBRUARY
40 Years of Family Tradition: Billings Flying Service
Billings Flying Service (BFS), a family-owned aviation enterprise based in Montana, has evolved over its 40-year history from modest beginnings in agricultural aviation to a prominent position in aerial firefighting.
Founded by Gerhart Blain in the 1950s as Blain’s Spray Service, the company initially focused on crop spraying. Gerhart’s sons, Al and Gary, inherited his passion for aviation, becoming skilled mechanics and pilots. In the late 1970s, the acquisition of a Hughes 300 helicopter marked the family’s entry into rotary-wing aviation, with the brothers teaching themselves to fly.
Under Al Blain’s leadership, BFS expanded its operations to include aerial firefighting, utilizing a fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters. These aircraft are renowned for their capacity and versatility in combating wildfires. Al emphasizes that the company’s success is attributed to its dedicated team, stating, “Our team—they are our most important resource. They will truly move heaven and earth when asked.”
Today, BFS stands as a testament to the Blain family’s dedication and innovation in the aviation industry, maintaining a strong commitment to excellence in aerial firefighting and other aviation services.
Read More in our January/February 2024 Issue
MARCH / APRIL
San Diego Gas & Electric: Not Your Average Power Company
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has developed a comprehensive aerial firefighting program to enhance wildfire response in the San Diego area. This initiative began in 2010 during the Sunrise Powerlink project, which utilized helicopters extensively for construction in remote areas.
Recognizing the need for organized aerial support, SDG&E established an Aviation Services department to manage and audit contracted helicopter services, ensuring safety and efficiency. Over time, the company expanded its capabilities to include a dedicated fleet of two aircraft, supplemented by two additional call-when-needed aircraft, providing 24/7 aerial firefighting support year-round.
This proactive approach positions SDG&E as a unique utility provider with robust aerial firefighting resources, demonstrating a commitment to community safety and wildfire mitigation.
Read More in our March/April 2024 Issue
MAY / JUNE
Florida Firefighters Train for the Firefight
In early January 2024, Hillsborough County, Florida, hosted a comprehensive multi-agency aerial firefighting training exercise. Participants included the Florida Forest Service, Tampa Police, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Fire, Martin County Sheriff, Charlotte County Sheriff, and Seminole County Sheriff. The event featured over ten aircraft, including Bell UH-1H helicopters, Bell 407s, Airbus H125s, and the Florida Forest Service’s recently acquired Leonardo AW119Kx. Ground crews contributed with bulldozers, trucks, and fire apparatus.
The exercise involved controlled burns to simulate real-world wildfire scenarios, enhancing coordination between air and ground units. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Training Academy served as the operational base, with a nearby lake utilized for water sourcing during aerial drops. Sergeant Jason Doyle, Unit Supervisor of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Aviation Section, led the meticulous planning and execution of the event.
Read More in our May/June 2024 Issue
JULY / AUGUST
Water Bombers of the Israeli Police
Since May 2011, the Israeli National Fire and Rescue Authority has utilized AT-802A/F Air Tractors as primary aerial assets for firefighting operations. Initially operated by the Israeli Air Force’s 249 ‘Elad’ Squadron at Sde Dov airport near Tel Aviv, these aircraft have been under the Israeli Police Aviation Unit’s jurisdiction since November 2016. The fleet, comprising fourteen AT-802s, is based at the historic airfields of Kedma and Megiddo and has been extensively deployed to combat wildfires in Israel and abroad, notably in Cyprus. In response to numerous arson-induced wildfires during the past summer, the Air Tractor fleet is being readied for intensive aerial firefighting in the forthcoming fire season.
The 249th ‘Elad’ Aerial Firefighting Squadron was established following the devastating Mount Carmel forest fire in December 2010, which resulted in 44 fatalities and significant displacement.
Read More in our July/August 2024 Issue
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
Orange County Fire Authority FireHawks: Modernizing the Fleet
In response to the devastating Silverado, Blue Ridge, and Bond Fires of 2020, which collectively scorched over 27,000 acres in Orange County, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) initiated a comprehensive modernization of its aerial firefighting capabilities.
Under the leadership of Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, appointed in 2018, OCFA retired its aging Super Huey helicopters in 2021, leaving the fleet with two Bell 412EPs acquired in 2009. Recognizing the need for enhanced aerial support, OCFA selected the Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk as its next-generation firefighting aircraft. A purchase agreement for two identical S-70M Firehawks was finalized in November 2022, with the aircraft delivered to Orange County on June 22, 2024. Following rigorous crew training, these advanced helicopters entered service on August 19, 2024.
OCFA’s pilot cadre comprises six highly experienced aviators, many with military backgrounds, each meeting stringent flight hour and specialized experience requirements. The agency mandates a minimum of 4,000 total flight hours, including 1,500 hours in mountainous terrain and at least 100 hours of night flying, ensuring operational proficiency in diverse and challenging conditions.
The integration of the S-70 Firehawks significantly enhances OCFA’s aerial firefighting capabilities, positioning the agency to more effectively combat increasingly severe wildfires in California.
Read More in our September/October 2024 Issue
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
MZL Polish Firefighters
Mieleckie Zakłady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. (MZL), formerly known as ZUA, is a Polish company specializing in aerial firefighting and agricultural aviation services. Established in 1972 as part of WSK PZL Warszawa Okęcie, the company has undergone several ownership changes, including acquisition by EADS CASA (later Airbus Poland S.A.) in 2001. In October 2022, it became an independent entity under the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation.
MZL operates a fleet primarily composed of 25 PZL M-18 Dromader aircraft and 9 AN-2s. The M-18 Dromader, a single-engine, low-wing monoplane designed for short and unpaved airstrips, is particularly suited for firefighting operations. Its durability and reliability make it adaptable for both firefighting and agricultural missions.
Since 1960, Polish aviators have been integral to forest protection, responsible for fire spotting and reporting to authorities. MZL continues this tradition, contributing significantly to aerial firefighting efforts in Poland and internationally.
Read More in our November/December 2024 Issue
