PORT ALBERNI — Coulson Aviation has announced the launch of its Boeing 767 VLAT (Very Large Airtanker) program to replace aging aerial firefighting aircraft with a more modern, capable, and reliable platform.
Coulson Aviation’s main headquarters are in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, where the company started, but they have significant operational bases and offices globally, including locations in Reno, Nevada (USA) and Bankstown, Australia.
“The firefighting community is seeing rapid changes in available airframe types, and agencies need solutions that are safe, efficient, and supportable for decades,” said Britt Coulson, President and CEO of Coulson Aviation USA.
What Is a VLAT?
VLATs (Very Large Airtankers) are aerial firefighting aircraft designed to carry extremely large volumes of water or fire retardant to combat large-scale wildfires. These aircraft are typically used during major fire events where rapid, wide-area retardant delivery is required to slow fire spread and protect critical infrastructure…