Milestone and Helitak win FAA certification for FT5000 fire tank for S-92A
Milestone and Helitak Firefighting Equipment have won an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate.
Milestone Aviation and Helitak Firefighting Equipment – the Australian firefighting equipment manufacturer – have received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate for the FT5000 fire tank fitted to the Sikorsky S-92A helicopter.
Pat Sheedy, president and CEO, Milestone said: “We are delighted to earn certification for this unique fire tank and introduce a new mission to the S-92A as a next-generation, multi-purpose firefighting platform.” The solution harnesses the advanced capabilities and versatility of the S-92A, with Helitak’s innovative tank design, he added.
Helitak’s lightweight, carbon fibre FT5000 system includes a retractable belly-mounted fire suppression tank with a 5,000-litre (1,320 US gal) capacity.
The first S-92A helicopter fitted with a FT5000 fire tank was recently delivered to launch customer Canadian Helicopter operator VIH Aviation Group (VIH). Once commissioned, the helicopter will be deployed on firefighting missions across Western Canada.
Jason Schellaars, founder and CEO, Helitak said the S-92A offered unique design challenges for the Helitak team. “But after working with our project partner, Milestone, we believe we have delivered a world-class firefighting solution,” he said. “With older S-92As coming out of the offshore market, the addition of the Helitak FT5000 system will allow S-92A operators to capitalise on the aircraft’s versatility by operating it as a standard category aircraft.”
The S-92A’s dependability, speed and advanced technological capabilities matched with the Helitak FT5000 tank and VIH’s extensive operational experience will significantly improve VIH’s fire suppression services to customers , said its chief operating officer, Jen Norie.
Designed for the S-92A, the tank can be installed or removed in minutes and is equipped with a hover pump that achieves a fill time of 48 seconds. The helicopter will be capable of transporting up to 19 firefighters to the front lines of wildfires. More information about the S-92A firefighting platform is available here. see here.
Meanwhile, read CHC Helicopter’s views on the longevity of the S-92.
