Profile: Sikorsky S-76 Pilot
Brian is a Coulson Aviation Lead Pilot on the Sikorsky S-76, as well as an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) instructor. He’s working in California as part of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) program run by Coulson in the fire season of 2021.
He said the S-76 FIREWATCH™ is a phenomenal platform with exceptional systems for gathering data and transmitting data to key decision makers during a firefight.
“The quicker we get the information, gather it up and transmit it, the quicker those on the ground can make informative decisions during the firefight,” he said.
This innovative technology provides firefighters and their communities with the vital information required to decimate dangerous fires with ground-breaking precision.
Operating 24/7 using NVG
The QRF is designed to provide day and night aerial firefighting – protecting the Los Angeles Basin with large helitankers operating as one force. The entire operation is supplemented with specialist aircraft like the Sikorsky S-76, which provides real time data on the fire(s).
“The benefit of the night-time aerial program is that fires are usually a little more dormant in the early morning hours. The more we can attack fires when that’s happening, the more effective we can be,” Brian said.
“With these teams, and the Coulson aircraft, we can seamlessly go from day firefighting to night firefighting. It’s hard on the team when we have to pull “daytime only” aircraft back when you know you need them on a fire.”
Brian’s background includes flying in the Gulf of Mexico for the oil and gas industry on Bell 206, Bell 407, Sikorsky S-76 and S-92 rotary wing aircraft. Recently he’s worked in the State of Victoria, Australia, as well as in California, as part of the Coulson Aviation Night Vision Goggles (NVG) program.
The Sikorsky S-76 is running the intelligence gathering across the QRF program for the three bases in Orange, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
As a supplier of aircraft for the QRF program, Coulson Aviation has helicopters and teams working with local fire agency personnel and their aircraft to boost protection for communities.
“The QRF program is going prove it’s full potential in late September with the aircraft operating as a single force. That is when the fire threat is expected to increase,” Brian said.