Wildland Firefighting

Wildland Firefighting – Swanson Group Aviation Answers the Call

Around the clock and around the world, SGA firefighting crews and helicopters have earned an enviable reputation for rapid response, high performance, and outstanding uptime availability. Our aviation crews are among the most experienced wildland firefighters in the world, and each heavy lift helicopter is supported with fully equipped maintenance trailers, closed circuit fuel trucks, satellite communications, and ground support staff. Our aviation mechanics are experienced at working all hours in the field to insure the daily aircraft reliability that professional firefighting demands.

Our performance goal is to put more water on more fire with the greatest effect for less money. Our aircraft are equipped with two different water-dropping systems:

collapsible portable Bambi buckets with 680 gallon (2620 liter) capacity
Torrentula Valve Powerfill II self-filling Bambi buckets that can fill in 18 inches of water

These systems combined with the superb operational efficiency of our crews and the accuracy of our experienced fire pilots make SGA one of the best values in the professional firefighting arena.

The Kmax helicopter has proven to be one of the most efficient “cents per gallon” water bombers in the aviation firefighting arsenal, particularly at high elevation or in extremely hot temperatures in mountainous conditions that handicap many aircraft. The Kmax lifts 6,000 lbs. at sea level, and will still lift over 5,000 lbs. at 8,000 ft. density altitude, while only consuming 90 gallons fuel/hour (341 liters/hr).

Firefighting Versatility with our Light Helicopters

We regularly contract our Lama helicopters for a variety of firefighting missions including initial attack, water dropping with 180 gallon bucket, and heli-tak crew transport. The Lama aircraft is an excellent workhorse helicopter in the demanding firefighting environment.

The Firemax Tank-equipped helicopter

The SGA Firemax helicopter is available with a custom designed belly tank with a very dense and precise drop pattern that is programmable for multiple drop modes and coverage levels. The addition of the tank makes the SGA Kmax Firemax a great choice in urban interface settings where a longline and bucket are not required or appropriate. This state-of-the-art tank system was expressly engineered and built for the Kmax helicopter by SGA in conjunction with Kawak Aviation Technology.

FiremaxFeatures

Hydraulic powered water snorkel and drop doors with 23 second fill time
700 gallon (2700 liter) max capacity
Programmable for six different coverage levels and multiple drops
Very dense, strong, narrow water drop pattern