Coulson Aviation

Coulson Aviation is a family owned company founded in 1960. It works in aerial firefighting, environmental technology and logistics. The company says it flies a range of day and night aerial firefighting assets around the world.

Coulson's fleet includes Hercules C-130 air tankers, Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, Boeing Chinook CH-47 helitankers, Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 helitankers and a converted Boeing 737 called the FireLiner. The FireLiner carries the company's RADS-XXL system. The company also flies smaller airplanes and helicopters.

In 2026 the company's Canadian division said it bought 10 former RCAF CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the Government of Canada. The site says this doubled its C-130H fleet.

The company says it developed the RADS system, which it describes as the first of its kind to receive FAA approval. It says RADS is used on air tankers and Type 1 helicopters. The site also says the company was the first firefighting company to develop nighttime fire suppression technology and protocols.

The company makes its own aircraft modifications and firefighting equipment. Its crew training runs from initial to recurrent instruction. The Coulson Aviation Academy trains staff toward an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer structures licence at no cost to the student. It offers a full-time position once school is complete.

The company says EmberWorks is a dedicated division that tests new wildfire and emergency response technology. In September 2026 the company said it was moving forward with EmberWorks. In August 2026 its Tanker 138 became the first large airtanker under contract to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

The site has a map of current service locations and lists partner agencies. It also has pages for fire retardant and SafeFuel. The company lists offices in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Thermal, California, and Bankstown Airport, New South Wales. Phone numbers are 250-724-7600 for Canada and +61 2 9873 0077 for Australia.