Robinson Helicopters Support California Firefighting Efforts | Aviation International News

Robinson Helicopters Support Firefighting Efforts

Light rotorcraft are helpful for moving officials around

Robinson Helicopter LA fires — Local Los Angeles and California state fire officials used helicopters like this Robinson R66 to provide aerial support. © Robinson Helicopter

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

March 3, 2025

During the Palisades fire, all sorts of aerial assets were put into play to try and mitigate the devastating damage and eventually contain the fire. While one might assume that light helicopters—such as those manufactured in nearby Torrance, California, by Robinson Helicopter—wouldn’t be suited for firefighting, that isn’t the case.

“Obviously, our aircraft are lower weight than what would be productive and practical for water dropping at this scale,” said Robinson CEO David Smith, although the turbine R66 does have the performance capability to carry water drop systems like the Bambi Bucket. “At the size and scale of these fires, they need big fixed-wing aircraft, and they need the larger helicopters when they want to get in close.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Robinson R66

Robinson Helicopter Company

Aviation Wins with Reversal of Indy Heliport Closure

Plans called for selling the 5.36-acre property to the city of Indianapolis

VAI's Cade Clark and Katia Veraza

Romania Orders 12 SAFE-backed H225M Helicopters

Initial fleet renewal could precede additional 30 domestically assembled units

Two H225Ms in flight

Falcon Executive Cleared for Flights at Dubai Helipark

Facility at Al Maktoum International Airport will complement the group’s FBO

Dubai Helipark

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helicopter Sales Activity Up

Pricing on heavy twins reached a five-year high in the first half

Sikorsky S-92 in flight

Louisiana Rotor Pathway Advances Rotorcraft Careers

Program started with Utah and North Dakota

Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters