RADS-L
Retardant delivery system
Retardant delivery system holding 3,000 gallons for the CH-47 Chinook, with a 90-second hover fill. In service.
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Coulson Aviation
AviationPort Alberni, BC
Designs and manufactures aerial-firefighting retardant delivery tank systems and night-firefighting mission equipment, converts large aircraft into airtankers, and operates the resulting fleet.
Canadian innovation builds a brighter tomorrow.
About
Company site: coulsonaviation.comDesigns and manufactures aerial-firefighting retardant delivery tank systems and night-firefighting mission equipment, converts large aircraft into airtankers, and operates the resulting fleet.
Family-owned, and dates itself to 1960 - but that is the founding of Coulson Forest Products. Aviation began in the mid-1980s, and Coulson Aviation (Canada) Ltd. was incorporated in 1985. coulsonaviation.com
States it designed and manufactured RADS and its components, including the retractable snorkel, and that RADS was "the first system of its kind to receive FAA approval". coulsonaviation.com
RADS-XXL was selected by the US Air Force for CAL FIRE's C-130 fleet. coulsonaviation.com
Built the world's first Boeing 737 airtanker conversion, the 737 FIRELINER, and pioneered aerial-firefighting night-vision and laser-guided night drop-zone technology. coulsongroup.com
Launched EmberWorks, its innovation division, in September 2026; its first programmes are ORBIT sensing technology, already installed on two aerial supervision aircraft, and the CFR HALO retardant. coulsonaviation.com
Coulson Aviation Canada bought 10 former RCAF CC-130H Hercules from the Government of Canada in August 2026, doubling its C-130H fleet to 20. This was a purchase by Coulson; no price disclosed. coulsonaviation.com
States it employs over 650 people worldwide, from its Canadian head office at Port Alberni plus facilities in Thermal, California and Bankstown, Australia. coulsonaviation.com
Certified to AS9100D and ISO 9001 and a Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organization. Led by Wayne Coulson as CEO and Britton Coulson as President and COO. coulsonaviation.com
Products & Services
Company site: coulsonaviation.comProducts Coulson Aviation publishes on its own site. Each card links to the page it was taken from.
RADS-XXL
Retardant delivery system
Retardant delivery system holding 4,000 gallons for the C-130 and Boeing 737, with a five-minute fill. Selected by the US Air Force for CAL FIRE's C-130 fleet.
Learn more737 FIRELINER
Airtanker conversion
The first Boeing 737 airtanker conversion, using the twin-tank RADS-XXL/2 configuration. In service.
Learn moreNight firefighting system
Mission system
Night-vision goggle, thermal imaging and laser-guided drop-zone technology for night fire suppression, which the company says was the first of its kind in aerial firefighting. In service.
Learn moreORBIT
Airborne sensing
Sensing and mission technology from the EmberWorks division, which the company says is already installed on two tactical aerial supervision aircraft.
SourceDeployment & Services
Company site: coulsonaviation.comHow Coulson Aviation says its technology can be deployed and delivered.
Aerial firefighting operations
Contracted aerial firefighting with large airtankers and Type 1 helicopters; the company says it is the only operator of both.
In-house manufacturing and aircraft customisation
AS9100D-certified in-house manufacturing that customises aircraft and builds its own firefighting equipment, including RADS.
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