Port Alberni’s Coulson Group signs water bomber deal
Coulson Group to outfit big Airbus transport plane into firefighting machine
Port Alberni’s Coulson Group of Companies has signed an agreement to design, build and install a custom firefighting system for an Airbus transport and military plane.
The system would allow a C295W turboprop plane to be converted into a water bomber to meet growing global demand for firefighting aircraft.
Coulson plans to build a new facility of up to 60,000 square feet at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport, which is also planning a $7-million expansion of runways and modernization of its radar systems, said Britton Coulson. He is manager of Coulson Aircrane Ltd., which is working with Airbus engineers on the design of the firefighting system.
This new endeavour will likely add five to 10 employees to its existing 250 staff, Coulson said.
The 55-year-old family company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, logging, gaming and environmentally friendly cleaning technology.
The Airbus Defence and Space C295W is a versatile plane, used for such duties as transport, maritime patrol and search-andrescue.
Coulson’s planned firefighting system will add another use to the C295W’s repertoire. The system includes two 3,500-litre tanks, which could be rolled on and off the plane, and refilled in seven minutes. The system is being designed for installation or removal in less than five hours.
Operators in the cockpit will be able to adjust the flow of fire retardant depending on the area being covered as well as the plane’s speed and altitude.
Coulson said the modular system will create an “extremely cost-effective” firefighting aircraft that can be used as a transport plane outside of fire season.
If all goes according to plan, the first new C295W to receive the Coulson system will arrive in Port Alberni in January 2017, he said.
The Coulson group has already developed and is using a kit for its two C-130 Hercules, he said. “We are in negotiations with multiple countries now for the C-130 kits,” Coulson confirmed on Tuesday.
The company operates its own fleet of firefighting aircraft for domestic and international customers, making its mark with two huge red-and-white Martin Mars water bombers.
Philippine Mars is heading to a U.S. naval museum in Pensacola, Florida, while the company’s Hawaii Mars is available for firefighting duty. A Martin Mars carries 32,730 litres. Climate change coupled with people moving into wilderness areas means that the “firefighting market it is going to continue to grow,” Coulson said.
The Airbus deal will address demand for firefighting aircraft.
“The purpose of the agreement is to marry Airbus Defence and Space’s marketleading expertise in transport aircraft with Coulson’s world-class capabilities in aerial firefighting to efficiently bring the C295W to market as a water bomber,” Kieran Daly, an Airbus spokesman, said in an email. “The system is already essentially developed and the aircraft is a mature product, so we are well-positioned to provide the C295W water bomber quickly.”
A prototype C295W water bomber is in use in Spain, Daly said.
The additional option for a C295W could be something Canada may be interested in as it looks to replace its aging search-andrescue fleet, made up of Buffalo and Hercules aircraft.
The C295W is considered one of the frontrunners. If it is chosen, some would likely be based at Comox, Coulson said.
“So having us as an Airbus partner so close to Comox would be a big help for that contract as well.”