Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Airbus Helicopters AS332L, EC225, H215, and H225 series

Matt Thurber

The Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has signed a contract to purchase eight Airbus H215 Super Puma helicopters, along with an option for two more. Under a government-owned, contractor-operated model, Airbus and H215 firefighting operators Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères will partner to provide technical and operational support.&nbsp;
Funding for the purchase is provided by two European funds and the tender was managed by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (the National Fund of Greece) on behalf of the ministry.
The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas, and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12. With a range of 540 nm and capable of carrying 19 firefighters, a water bucket, or a belly tank, the H215 can conduct firefighting operations at night, thanks to its four-axis autopilot.
“The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country,” said Panagiotis Stampoulidis, deputy CEO of Growthfund. “This is the largest contract signed under the Aegis National Programme to bolster the civil protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency.”

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Greece Buying Airbus H215 Helicopters for Firefighting Operations

Super Puma can drop more than four tonnes of water at a time

With a range of 540 nm and capable of carrying 19 firefighters, the H215 can conduct firefighting operations at night, thanks to its four-axis autopilot.

Greece Buying Airbus H215s for Firefighting Operations

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In this article

AS332/EC225/H215/H225

Airbus Helicopters

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