Expedition Helicopters buys Black Hawk
Canadian rotorcraft operator Expedition Helicopters has acquired a UH-60 Black Hawk for use in firefighting operations
The company, based in Cochrane, Ontario, will initially use the helicopter to carry water to forest fires.
However, it hopes to eventually also use it to transport emergency personnel – such as firefighters, paramedics, and search and rescue teams – to remote parts of northern Ontario and Quebec. The company stated that this additional functionality is reliant on a change to current Transport Canada regulations.
Speaking to Canadian national broadcaster CBC, Expedition Helicopters’ President, Todd Caliaezzi, said that they had acquired the Black Hawk because of its high speed and carrying capacity.
He explained that while the company’s other helicopters will typically fly to respond to a wildfire at around “100kts to 120kts … this aircraft can cruise to that fire at 160kts”.
Additionally, the aircraft can carry a 3,600kg exterior payload – which can be expanded to 4,500kg with additional tanks.
US-based operator Trans Aero acquired a Black Hawk of its own in June of last year.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.