The Global Leader in Aerial Firefighting
Innovators in Aerial Firefighting
Coulson Aviation is a family-owned company established in 1960, specializing in aerial firefighting, environmental technology, and logistics. The company supports global operations with a diverse fleet of day and night aerial assets, leveraging proprietary technology and a variety of aircraft types to provide coordinated aerial firefighting support worldwide.
Capabilities
Coulson Aviation is a global leader in next-generation aerial firefighting, manufacturing, and heavy-lift operations, committed to safety, innovation, and professionalism. We are the only aerial firefighting company in the world operating both Large Air Tanker (LAT) airplanes and Type 1 large helicopters, as well as the first to conduct nighttime firefighting operations. Our in-house manufacturing capabilities allow us to customize aircraft and develop cutting-edge firefighting equipment, including our industry-leading RADS system. Additionally, our crew training, spanning from initial to recurrent instruction, sets the highest standard in the industry, surpassing that of all other operators.
Aerial Firefighting
Training
Manufacturing
Fleet
Our large and diverse firefighting fleet includes custom-designed Hercules C-130s, Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, Boeing Chinook CH-47 helitankers, Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 helitankers, and the custom-converted Boeing 737 FireLiner™ equipped with our proprietary RADS-XXL technology. Our smaller airplanes and helicopters provide vital support in firefighting and beyond.
Coulson Aviation Academy
As a Transport Canada Approved Training Organization (ATO) for aircraft structures, Coulson trains employees toward their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Structures (AME-S) license at no cost to the student. Through our Academy, we hire aspiring maintenance engineers, support them through schooling, and provide a guaranteed full-time position when school is complete, giving each a path through apprenticeship to a full AME-S license.
Technology
Coulson Aviation is committed to innovation – not imitation – in aerial firefighting technology. We have developed advanced tanking systems and are leaders in nighttime flight operations, allowing our organization to provide effective fire suppression around the clock and in diverse conditions.
Coulson Aviation’s internal Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS) is the first system of its kind to receive FAA approval. Developed for LATs and Type 1 helicopters, RADS is the most widely used, highest-volume tanking system available today.
Coulson Aviation was the first firefighting company to aggressively develop innovative, industry-changing nighttime fire suppression technology and protocols for successful and safe after dark operations.
Current Service Locations
Coulson Aviation aircraft operate around the world throughout the year. Explore where our aircraft are operating today and the partner agencies who support these operations.
Recent News
ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia, August 7, 2026 – Coulson Aviation Canada, the Canadian division of Coulson Aviation, has acquired 10 former Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the Government of Canada. The acquisition doubles Co…
THERMAL, Calif., August 4, 2026: Coulson Aviation today announced that Tanker 138, a Lockheed C-130H registered as N382CG, began a 60-day Exclusive Use contract last week with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The contract makes Tanker 138 the f…
THERMAL, Calif. – July 29, 2026: Coulson Aviation today introduced CFR HALO, a next-generation long-term fire retardant engineered specifically for modern aircraft, tank systems, and wildfire missions. It is the first product from Coulson EmberWorks…
