Coulson Aviation takes a significant leap forward in aerial firefighting with the introduction of their first Boeing 737-700. The aircraft is destined to become the world’s highest capacity Large Air Tanker (LAT).
This marks the first of potentially ten such conversions, solidifying Coulson’s longstanding partnership with Southwest Airlines, the provider of their entire 737 fleet.
737-700 FIRELINER Conversion
“Building upon the tremendous success of our existing 737-300 platform, the 737-700 Next Gen FIRELINER program represents a major step forward,” says Britt Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation.
“The FIRELINER’s unique multi-role capability has made it the preferred LAT choice for foreign governments. It can transport passengers during non-firefighting periods, simplifying the process of securing flight and maintenance crews as well as parts.”
The Next Gen FIRELINER boasts a range of improvements that will revolutionize LAT capabilities worldwide. This includes a massive 5,000 USG (19,000 liter) payload capacity, reduced fuel consumption, extended range, and increased speed.
With nearly double the capacity of competing LATs, the FIRELINER can reach fires faster, enabling quicker initial attacks that keep blazes smaller and more manageable.
The urgency of this advancement is underscored by the devastating impact of wildfires. In 2023 alone, global fires emitted a staggering 2.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide, surpassing the emissions of most countries.
These fires also tragically contributed to over 340,000 premature deaths from air pollution.
Deploying larger, more capable aircraft like the FIRELINER is crucial for extinguishing fires before they escalate into uncontrollable megafires that threaten lives, property, and the environment.
The air operator’s commitment to this next-generation firefighting tool exemplifies their dedication to environmental protection and minimizing irreversible damage.
Coulson Aviation: Leaders in Aerial Firefighting
Coulson Aviation, headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, is a global leader in aerial firefighting.
It operates a versatile fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft specifically designed for fire suppression. The specialist operator has a proven track record of innovation and a commitment to environmental responsibility,
The aerial work operator actively cultivates a highly skilled team of pilots, maintenance crews, and fire suppression specialists who work tirelessly to combat wildfires around the world.
Their expertise and experience are instrumental in ensuring the safe and effective deployment of their aerial firefighting solutions.
The company’s commitment to multi-role functionality is evident in their FIRELINER platform.
This role modification allows their aircraft to operate in firefighting missions. They have flexibility to serve as a passenger transport needs during non-firefighting periods.
This flexibility simplifies logistics and crew management, ensuring Coulson Aviation is in readiness to respond to wildfires when they erupt.
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