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

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

GetJet Airlines and Airhub Aviation have appointed 2026 Dakar Rally Truck category winner Vaidotas Žala as their brand ambassador to help recruit technical talent for the companies’ expanding maintenance operations in Lithuania.

In a press release issued on July 20, 2026, the GetJet Group subsidiaries outlined the long-term partnership. The initiative aims to draw parallels between elite motorsport and commercial aviation maintenance, specifically targeting automotive professionals to fill approximately 200 new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) positions at bases in Vilnius and Šiauliai.

Bridging motorsport and aviation maintenance

The collaboration highlights shared operational values between rally racing and aircraft maintenance. Both sectors require strict adherence to safety protocols, rapid problem-solving, and precise mechanical execution. By aligning with a three-time Lithuanian Rally Champion, GetJet Group intends to raise the profile of aviation maintenance careers among mechanics and engineers outside the aerospace industry.

As part of the agreement, the aviation companies will provide support for Žala as he prepares to compete in the 2027 Dakar Rally.

“Vaidotas is preparing for one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges – the Dakar Rally. The technology and environments are different, but the principles remain the same: success depends on preparation, precision and the ability to respond quickly when conditions change. We are proud to support Vaidotas on this journey and look forward to being part of his future Dakar journey,” said Inga Duglas, CEO of GetJet Airlines.

MRO expansion and workforce recruitment

Earlier in 2026, GetJet Group announced a significant expansion of its MRO capabilities in Lithuania. The company is actively recruiting for roles including aircraft maintenance engineers, technicians, supply chain managers, and logistics specialists to support its growing fleet and third-party maintenance services.

The operator noted that several of its current technical employees successfully transitioned into aviation from the automotive sector. The ambassador program with Žala is designed to accelerate this cross-industry recruitment pipeline to meet the staffing demands of the new Vilnius and Šiauliai facilities.

AirPro News analysis

We view this cross-industry recruitment strategy as a practical response to the persistent shortage of qualified aviation maintenance personnel. With GetJet Group securing US$31 million in external financing from Volofin Capital Management Ltd in April 2026 to fund aircraft renewal and asset management expansion, capital is available to grow the business. Executing that growth requires a robust technical workforce. Targeting high-performance automotive technicians provides access to a labor pool already accustomed to strict tolerances and complex mechanical systems, potentially reducing the training burden required to transition them into certified aviation roles.

Sources: GetJet Group