News
Erickson gets third aircrane to fight bush fires in Australia
January 13, 2016 By Erickson
Erickson Incorporated has been contracted through Australian partner Kestrel Aviation, for a third S64E Aircrane heli-tanker to support firefighting efforts in the State of Victoria, Australia. In total, Erickson has six Aircranes currently working in the country.
“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’s Vice President of Commercial Aviation Services. “Already this year, our crews have 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.The Aircrane will be available as required for the remainder of the fire season.
The S64 Aircrane heli-tanker is well known for its firefighting capability. The tank on the Aircrane can hold and drop 2,650 gallons (7,500 litres) of water on fires in a single pass. With specialized snorkels, the Aircrane can also refill the tank in nearby bodies of water in less than 30 seconds.
