06/17/2023
Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the HELIFIRE™ Monsoon Bucket
It’s been 25 years since the writer, designed and conducted the first HELIFIRE™ Monsoon Bucket test flight over Waipukurau.
These compact and collapsible free-standing HELIFIRE™ Monsoon Buckets have proven to be versatile and reliable aerial fire suppression platforms.
And after a quarter of a century, it’s still one of the market's most efficient and collapsible free-standing aerial firefighting assets ready to contain and extinguish wildfires.
When it was introduced in June 1998, HELIFIRE™ Monsoon Bucket was the first commercialised compact and free-standing collapsible underslung liquid delivery system for helicopter firefighting activities that require multiple drop capabilities, quick deployment, as well as ease of storage and transport.
Before that, the only options available to fire managers were fixed rigid fibreglass buckets and other variants of the Bambi bucket.
This innovation enabled Helicopter Operators to carry the collapsed Monsoon Bucket inside the helicopter. Additionally, the Monsoon Bucket was designed to dip-fill rapidly and efficiently, reducing turnaround times and maximising firefighting effectiveness.
The collapsible design further adds to its convenience, making it easy to store, transport, and handle on the ground and its ability to be used as a rescue device to extract people in danger.
HELiFIRE™ Monsoon Buckets are used by operators around the world including the Philippines, Europe, China, South Africa, Australia (Tasmania, Northern Tertiary, Queensland, New South Wales), and New Zealand.
Special thanks to the late Chris Gibbs, Outback Helicopters and our wonderful suppliers Longridge, Metalform, Vulcan Stainless, Britton Canvas, Piper and Co, and Engineering and Compressor Services who have helped me provide the best products to Helicopter Operators.
Thanks so much for being part of our journey. Simon Osborne
