New base for Aero-Flite in Chico, California

The company will lease 4,180m² of hangar space located at 77 Piper Avenue from the Chico Airport Commission, with occupancy commencing from 1 March.

The new base is intended to support Aero-Flite’s ongoing fleet expansion. Chris Niemann, General Manager at Aero-Flite, explained: “Aero-Flite is growing. We added two Dash 8-400ATs to our fleet in 2022, contracted to Washington State for four years, and this year we are accepting another Dash 8-400AT from Conair.

“That will bring our total number of large airtankers in the fleet to 14, including seven RJ85s and four CL-415s. And we plan to continue adding Dash 8-400AT airtankers,” he said.

The new hangar space will also allow the company to expand its maintenance operations, including heavy maintenance over the winter and regular operational maintenance during the summer fire season. Additionally, it will offer Aero-Flite the space needed to expand its Dash 8-400 airtanker conversion work as demand increases.

A familiar locale for Aero-Flite

“Aero-Flite has had a growing presence in the city for several years,” added Niemann. “We perform our on-wing training program in Chico, training pilots using a 1,500-acre property northwest of the city for a three-week period, simulating a fire in a valley surrounded by complex terrain, complete with mock fire lines, dozer lines, and smoke to add realism.

“Locating a second facility near this training site will help alleviate some of the logistical challenges that go into supporting an aerial firefighting training program of this magnitude” he concluded.

Aero-Flite also recently announced a number of early deployments to Texas and Oklahoma to support firefighters combating the Smokehouse Creek fire.