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DART Aerospace Gains TCCA Certification for Fire Attack System Upgrades

DART Aerospace receives TCCA certification for Fire Attack System Model 304 upgrades on Medium Bell helicopters, improving safety and night operations.

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This article is based on an official press release from DART Aerospace.

DART Aerospace Secures TCCA Certification for Enhanced Fire Attack System on Medium Bell Helicopters

On April 29, 2026, DART Aerospace announced the receipt of a new Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH26-18. According to the official press release, this certification approves a series of critical operational and safety enhancements to the company’s Fire Attack System Model 304, a specialized belly-mounted aerial firefighting system.

The newly certified upgrades are specifically engineered for Medium Bell helicopters, including the Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412, and UH-1H models. By modernizing this legacy equipment, DART Aerospace aims to improve pilot safety, increase mission flexibility, and enable round-the-clock wildfire suppression capabilities.

As global wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe, the demand for advanced aerial firefighting technology has accelerated. We at AirPro News recognize this certification as a significant step in equipping existing helicopter fleets with modern, high-efficiency suppression tools directly from the manufacturers.

Modernizing Aerial Firefighting Capabilities

The Fire Attack System Model 304 features a belly-mounted carbon fiberglass tank capable of holding 1,420 liters (375 gallons) of water or 114 liters (30 gallons) of foam retardant. The recent TCCA certification introduces several modernizations to this legacy system, directly addressing the evolving needs of aerial firefighting operators.

Night Operations and Hover Refills

One of the most critical enhancements approved under STC SH26-18 is the ability to perform unaided night hover refills. According to the company’s specifications, the system now allows operators to safely refill the water tank while hovering over a water source at night without the need for external visual aids. Furthermore, the certification includes an improved stowable hover pump kit, which increases the efficiency and reliability of drafting water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs.

Enhancing Pilot Safety with Integrated Controls

Aerial firefighting remains a high-stress, high-risk operation, often requiring pilots to fly at low altitudes in turbulent conditions. To address these hazards, DART Aerospace has integrated the emergency jettison switch directly into the helicopter’s primary flight controls.

The emergency release mechanism allows pilots to instantly drop the water or retardant load in an emergency without removing their hands from the flight controls.

This integration ensures that if a helicopter experiences an engine failure or a sudden downdraft, the pilot can instantly shed over 3,000 pounds of water weight to regain lift, maintaining a continuous physical connection to the aircraft’s steering.

Extending the Lifespan of Legacy Fleets

Medium Bell helicopters, such as the UH-1H “Huey” and the Bell 212, have long served as the historic workhorses of the aerial firefighting industry. However, replacing these aging airframes with entirely new aircraft is often prohibitively expensive for operators and fire agencies.

By certifying modern, high-tech enhancements for these older airframes, DART Aerospace provides a cost-effective pathway for operators to modernize their existing fleets. The enhanced Fire Attack System Model 304 is currently available directly through DART Aerospace, allowing operators to upgrade their capabilities ahead of upcoming fire seasons.

AirPro News analysis

Based on our review of the industry landscape and the provided research data, this certification highlights the strategic value of DART Aerospace’s past acquisitions. The Fire Attack System Model 304 was originally developed by Simplex Aerospace, a Portland, Oregon-based company with a 70-year history in aerial application systems. In October 2019, DART Aerospace acquired Simplex Aerospace, absorbing its portfolio of over 200 international product certifications.

Founded in 1975 in Montreal, Canada, DART Aerospace recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The company has grown to employ over 600 people across facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the UK, holding over 2,000 STCs and supporting more than 5,000 aircraft worldwide. We view the successful integration and modernization of Simplex’s legacy firefighting technology as a testament to DART’s continued growth and its commitment to addressing the global climate and wildfire crisis. Furthermore, the push for 24/7 firefighting capabilities, capitalizing on lower nighttime temperatures and higher humidity, makes the unaided night hover refill feature a vital tool for modern fire agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What aircraft are compatible with the enhanced Fire Attack System Model 304?

According to the TCCA STC SH26-18 certification, the system is compatible with Medium Bell helicopters, specifically the Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412, and UH-1H models.

What is the capacity of the Model 304 tank?

The belly-mounted carbon fiberglass tank holds 1,420 liters (375 gallons) of water or 114 liters (30 gallons) of foam retardant.

Why is the integrated emergency jettison switch important?

It allows pilots to instantly drop over 3,000 pounds of water weight during an emergency (such as engine failure or downdrafts) without taking their hands off the primary flight controls, significantly improving safety.

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Photo Credit: DART Aerospace

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MRO & Manufacturing

Asperion Aerospace Launches as Military MRO Growth Platform

Asperion Aerospace LLC launches Aug. 4, 2026, backed by Seven Point Equity Partners, targeting military aircraft MRO and defense aftermarket growth.

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Asperion Aerospace LLC officially launched on August 4, 2026, establishing a new parent organization designed to consolidate and expand specialized engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the military aircraft aftermarket.

Headquartered in San Fernando, California, the newly formed entity builds upon the foundation of Frazier Aviation, Inc., an aerospace manufacturer founded in 1953. According to a press release issued by the company, Asperion will serve as a growth platform backed by Seven Point Equity Partners, targeting both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions within the aerospace and defense sectors.

Strategic expansion and leadership

The formation of Asperion Aerospace follows a strategic partnership between Frazier Aviation International and Seven Point Equity Partners. While the August 4 announcement cites 2024 as the origin of this partnership, historical statements from Seven Point indicate the collaboration was publicly formalized in February 2025.

To support its global expansion, Frazier Aviation recently invested in its leadership and operational infrastructure. The company appointed new members to its Board of Directors and expanded its business development, operations, and procurement teams.

Brian Williams, CEO of both Asperion Aerospace and Frazier Aviation, stated that the launch represents a deliberate strategy to provide specialized solutions to a global customer base.

“Asperion is ideally positioned to build on Frazier’s legacy of quality and reliability while building a broader platform to deliver integrated solutions across the aerospace and defense aftermarket sector,” Williams said.

Focus on military aircraft platforms

Frazier Aviation brings decades of experience servicing legacy military aircraft platforms to the new Asperion portfolio. The company specializes in components and support for the Lockheed C-130, the Lockheed Martin F-16, and the Lockheed P-3.

Seven Point Equity Partners views the consolidation under Asperion as a vehicle for scaling these capabilities. Tom Burchill, Managing Partner at Seven Point, noted that the platform will accelerate strategic growth initiatives and support global market expansion.

“By bringing complementary businesses together under the Asperion platform, we will build on decades of operational excellence to create a truly integrated global organization, one well-positioned to deliver superior solutions to aerospace customers for years to come,” Burchill said.

AirPro News analysis

The formal launch of Asperion Aerospace signals a familiar private equity playbook in the aerospace and defense aftermarket: acquiring a legacy supplier with niche platform expertise and using it as a cornerstone for a broader MRO and manufacturing roll-up. By targeting sustainment for enduring military platforms like the C-130 and F-16, we expect Asperion to pursue bolt-on acquisitions that add complementary repair capabilities or proprietary parts manufacturing, capitalizing on the extended lifecycles of these global fleets.

Sources: Asperion Aerospace LLC

Photo Credit: US Department of War

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MRO & Manufacturing

Coulson Aviation Launches CFR HALO Fire Retardant

Coulson Aviation introduced CFR HALO, a new long-term fire retardant under USDA and CEREN qualification testing.

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Coulson Aviation introduced a new long-term fire retardant, CFR HALO, on July 29, 2026, designed specifically to integrate with modern aerial firefighting delivery systems. Developed by the company’s research division, Coulson EmberWorks, the formulation aims to improve drop cohesion and reduce airborne drift compared to legacy retardants.

In a press release issued from its Thermal, California base, the company stated that CFR HALO addresses a growing disparity between advanced airtanker technology and older chemical formulations. The product is currently undergoing formal external qualification testing with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the Centre d’Essais et de Recherche de l’Entente Valabre (CEREN) in Europe.

Engineering for modern airtankers

The development of CFR HALO focused on optimizing viscosity and flow characteristics to match the capabilities of contemporary precision delivery systems. The company leveraged four decades of operational experience to engineer the product. In 2026 alone, Coulson Aviation’s fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet delivered 10 million gallons of water and wildfire suppressant globally.

Britt Coulson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Coulson Aviation, highlighted the operational disconnect driving the product’s development.

“Many legacy formulations trace their origins to an era before today’s airtankers and precision delivery systems. We cannot keep fighting today’s fires with chemistry designed for yesterday’s aircraft. As operators, we had to step in and build what the industry needs next. CFR HALO is engineered for modern airtankers, with environmental performance built in from the start and a formulation designed to keep more of each load where firefighters need it.”

Qualification and future integration

The current testing phase aims to place CFR HALO on the Qualified Products List (QPL) in the United States and France. These qualification programs will serve as a technical foundation for future agency acceptance in Australia and key South American markets.

Operationally, the retardant is engineered to integrate with existing mixing, loading, and application infrastructure. This ensures agencies will not need to replace established delivery systems to utilize the new chemistry.

The Coulson EmberWorks division

CFR HALO represents the inaugural product from Coulson EmberWorks, the company’s dedicated research and development division. Beyond chemical retardants, the division is also developing intelligent sensing and mission systems for future release.

AirPro News analysis

The introduction of CFR HALO marks a notable vertical integration step for Coulson Aviation. By expanding from aircraft operation and modification into chemical retardant manufacturing, we see the company positioning itself to control more of the aerial firefighting supply chain. If CFR HALO secures USDA and CEREN qualification, it could disrupt a retardant market historically dominated by a small number of specialized chemical suppliers. This move also allows the operator to tailor suppressant characteristics directly to the performance profiles of modern converted airtanker fleets.

Sources: Coulson Aviation

Photo Credit: Coulson Aviation

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MRO & Manufacturing

CFS Aero Selects Ramco Systems for Engine and APU MRO

CFS Aero deploys Ramco Aviation Software across UK facilities to digitize engine and APU MRO shop visit operations.

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UK-based aerospace engineering firm CFS Aero has selected Ramco Systems to digitize its engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations, implementing a comprehensive software suite to manage shop visits from initial contract through final invoicing.

Announced in a press release on July 29, 2026, the agreement will see CFS Aero deploy Ramco Aviation Software across its facilities in Warwick and London. The implementation aims to replace legacy processes with a unified platform, providing real-time visibility into costs, revenues, and maintenance execution for the company, which holds the type certificates for Honeywell ALF502 and LF507 turbine engines.

Digitizing the MRO workflow

The Ramco software suite will integrate multiple facets of CFS Aero’s operations. The deployment includes modules dedicated to engineering, planning, maintenance, supply chain logistics, customer management, and accounting. By consolidating these functions, the system allows technicians and managers to track cost accruals and monitor budget caps throughout the lifecycle of an engine or APU shop visit.

On the shop floor, the transition introduces digital maintenance execution tools. Mechanics will utilize mobile task cards and electronic sign-offs, reducing reliance on paper-based tracking and streamlining regulatory compliance documentation. The software also supports multi-stage invoicing, aligning billing cycles with specific maintenance milestones.

CFS Aero Chief Executive Officer David Newhouse stated that the company sought a technology partner capable of supporting long-term growth and complementing its workforce.

“Ramco’s strong understanding of the complexities of Engine and APU MRO operations, combined with the capabilities of its Aviation Software to help our skilled teams perform at their best, were key factors in our decision,” Newhouse said.

Ramco’s expanding aviation footprint

The CFS Aero contract adds to a growing portfolio of aerospace MRO providers utilizing Ramco’s enterprise software. According to the company, its aviation platform currently manages more than 4,000 aircraft and supports over 24,000 users globally.

Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Customer Officer for Aviation, Aerospace and Defense at Ramco Systems, noted that the partnership reflects industry trust in the company’s domain expertise. He added that Ramco continues to invest in next-generation capabilities, including artificial intelligence, to modernize the aviation maintenance ecosystem.

The UK agreement follows other recent milestones for the software provider. On April 15, 2026, Ramco announced the successful implementation of its Aviation Suite at Korean Air’s Engine Maintenance Center in South Korea. Subsequently, on July 2, 2026, the company appointed Sandesh Bilagi as Chief Executive Officer to steer its transition toward AI-native enterprise software solutions.

AirPro News analysis

We view CFS Aero’s selection of Ramco as indicative of a broader industry push to eliminate siloed legacy systems in engine MRO environments. Engine shop visits are highly complex, capital-intensive events where poor visibility into parts availability or labor accruals can rapidly erode profit margins. By adopting an end-to-end digital platform, mid-sized engineering firms like CFS Aero are equipping themselves with the same data-driven oversight tools utilized by major airline maintenance divisions, ensuring they remain competitive in a tight global supply-chain.

Sources: Ramco Systems

Photo Credit: Ramco

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