Story ID: 153HAI16Erickson
Erickson Supports Australian Firefighting Fleet
By: Harry Weisberger
Caption: Two contracts call for deployment of additional Aircranes in firefighting and timber harvesting roles.
Word Count: 271
Erickson (Booth 9251) has signed new deals for an additional Aircrane heli-tanker in Australia and another for timber harvesting operations in Canada.
  
Erickson’s Australian partner Kestrel Aviation signed up for a third S64E Aircrane to support firefighting efforts in Victoria state. Erickson has six Aircranes currently working in Australia. “We are proud to help protect the lives and homes of Victoria’s residents during the peak of their fire season,” said Andy Mills, Erickson v-p of commercial aviation services. “Our crews have already been busy fighting fires in Western Australia and New South Wales.” The third Aircrane, previously stationed in Sydney, New South Wales to fight fires, has been reassigned to Mangalore, Victoria where it remains available as required for the remainder of the fire season.
  
The S64 Aircrane heli-tanker can hold and drop 2,650 gallons of water on fires in a single pass. Specialized snorkels enable the Aircrane to also refill the tank in nearby bodies of water in less than 30 seconds.
  
Columbia Helicopters (Booth 10337) subsidiary Helifor Canada renewed its contract with Erickson for year-round services using an Aircrane for aerial timber harvesting in British Columbia and western Canada. This is the fifth time that Helifor has renewed its contract with Erickson, and the contract lasts until Dec. 31, 2016. Erickson is providing pilots, field maintenance support crews, parts and components. The contract also includes an option to add another Aircrane.
  
“Erickson has operated in Canada for more than 30 years,” said Mills. “Aerial timber harvesting is where we began as a company, and we are pleased to continue that tradition with Helifor.”