Coulson Aviation secures new A$400-million contract

Coulson Aviation has announced a new, A$400-million dollar, 10-year contract with Australia’s New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS). Coulson will manage, operate, and maintain the fire service’s entire fleet after having managed most of the NSW RFS aircraft fleet for the previous five years.

The Coulson team will oversee a fleet of 11 aircraft, including a 737 FIRELINER large airtanker (LAT), two Cessna Citations, six Bell 412 helicopters, a CH-47 Chinook, and a Beechcraft Super King Air. The company is focused on employing primarily Australian crews to enhance NSW’s self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on international personnel. In coordination with the NSW RFS, Coulson will conduct rigorous training sessions and thorough equipment inspections as a proactive measure to reduce the devastating impact of bushfires and safeguard communities.

The contract includes expanding the apprenticeship program to develop the next generation of aviation personnel in NSW. A minimum of two mechanical apprentices will be part of the aviation team, providing them with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with firefighting aircraft. Coulson Aviation recently became the first aviation firm approved by Transport Canada as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), allowing the company to train technician candidates who can earn while they learn.

Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Group, commented: “Coulson Aviation Australia has been the leading supplier of large airtankers and very large helitankers to the Australian governments for the past decade and it’s an honor to have been selected again, to continue to run RFS’s world-class fleet.”

Rob Rogers, Commissioner of the RFS, added: “The RFS has found a reliable and high-performing partner in Coulson Aviation, and we look forward to working with them as our aerial capability continues to expand.”