OPERATIONS

Firewatch 76 is a single pilot IFR 150 knot cruise helicopter capable of carrying 1 agency representative in the front and 6 passengers in the rear with the flexibility of camera and mapping system control from either position. The twin PT6-36B engines put out over 1000 hp each providing a service ceiling of 15,000 ft and stay up capability on 1 engine for most density altitude and weight configurations encountered in this role.

The 76 broadcasts video live over the internet and sends mapping data and screenshots via email in real time.

Firewatch 76 is currently testing its night operation capability for hotspot detection, fire behavior analysis, fire perimeter maps, and command and control. One of the outcomes is to have Firewatch provide updated fire information for incident commanders so air tankers and helicopters can be dispatched at first light. Firewatch is also testing utilizing the gimble's Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Laser Pointer for target identification, increasing the safety and effectiveness of NVG equipped aircraft fighting fire at night.

When the S76 is dispatched, it comes with a truck/trailer combo carrying all spare parts, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), and a complete spare camera system to ensure 100% uptime.

Aircraft Seating (Passengers) Firefighting Configuration 7

Empty Weight in Fire Fighting Configuration Pounds 8,000

Kilograms 3,630 Maximum Gross Weight

Pounds 11,700 Kilograms 5,310

Fuel Capacity Gallons (US) 281

Litres 1,063 Range Maximum Fuel

Nautical Miles 300 Kilometers 555

Speed Knots (Cruise) 150

Kilometers Per Hour (Cruise) 278

COCKPIT Firewatch 76 is equipped with a Honeywell EFIS Glass Cockpit and is certified for single pilot IFR operations, giving us the ability to launch for a mission in smoky or adverse visibility conditions. The S76 has been equipped with a full Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) radio package consisting of 2 AM COMM's, 1 Technosonic FM Radio (TFM-138B), 1 Technosonic P25 Digital FM (TDFM-136), and 1 AUX FM plug for an agency supplied radio. In addition to the standard radio package Firewatch76 also as a 12.1" HD camera screen, camera hand controller, and mapping system keyboard.

CABIN Firewatch is equipped with spacious cabin seating for 6 including 4 high back 4 point harness positions and 2 rear facing high back positions, a 26" High Definition Screen, camera hand controller, mapping keyboard, AMS43 Audio Panel, Sat Phone Dialer, and access to all of the mission equipment. These features, coupled with air conditioning, help to reduce fatigue and help the operator or operators stay on task for longer periods of time.

STABILIZED GIMBLE SYSTEM

Firewatch 76 has been outfitted with the latest High Definition color and Infrared Stabilized Gimble, the Axsys Technologies V9. It is the first 9" HD production gimble and has excellent stability and continuous zoom. The IR Camera has been modified with a second, higher temperature mode specifically for fire use to eliminate the high temperatures "blooming" out the IR chip, giving us the ultimate video clarity specifically when evaluating the head of the fire or active flank. The camera can switch between standard IR sensitivity and higher temperature sensitivity in flight. We have installed 2 HD Digital Video Recorders that record HD and IR video simultaneously for the entire duration of the flight. This is a unique feature as most other cameras on the market only have the ability to record 1 channel of video at a time. The hand controller is compact allowing for single handed use freeing up the operators other hand for use with the mapping system.

Firewatch 76 specializes in hotspot detection where the heat may not be visible to the naked eye. The picture to the left shows a spot on the cross hairs that jumped the containment line. This was not visible to the ground firefighters or naked eye because the area was covered in smoke. The 76 emailed the screenshot and Lat/Long to the Incident Command Team and they dispatched a crew to extinguish the spot fire.

The picture to the right demonstrates the IR sensors capability to see definition in very high heat ranges. These flames were hitting temperatures over 1100 Degrees, a standard IR chip would have "bloomed out" where the V9 can clearly see the flame tips and embers going into the air.

MAPPING SYSTEM

Firewatch 76 is currently using an AeroComputers Ultichart 5100 Mapping System to capture the Fire Perimeter, Drop Location, and Hot Spot data. When doing air tanker drop effectiveness evaluations, we mark the LAT/LONG of the drops for viewing at later intervals (15/30/60/120 mins) as per our criteria. The mapping system is typically viewed in a split screen configuration showing video on the left, mapping information on the right, and aircraft/gimble information across the bottom. Firewatch 76 has a 3rd DVR installed to record this video stream as well as all audio from inside the aircraft and on the

radio. This helps the viewers understand the tactics that have been put in place by the incident command team.

2 High Definition DVR's record HD Color and IR at the same time

The Axsys V9 Hand Controller is compact for single handed operation

The Axsys Camera Control box has multiple inputs and outputs for maximum flexibility

LASER POINTER The Axsys V9 is equipped with a NVG Laser Pointer capable of highlighting targets for night operations. The laser can only been seen by crew members wearing NVG's and provides additional safety for aircraft working at night. It is a very effective way of giving Heli Tankers water bombing targets and keeping radio traffic to a minimum creating a higher efficiency operation.

AUTOTRACKER For filming Air Tanker drop effectiveness missions, the AutoTracker tool has proven its worth many times over. By simply selecting an object and engaging AutoTracker, the V9 will pixelize the image and follow it automatically. The V9 with this option has the ability to lock onto any moving target.

DOWNLINK Firewatch has the ability to stream real time video and re-broadcast it on the internet as well as downlink hot spot information, shape files, and screenshots via standard email. For most fire applications, microwave video downlinks are not realistic due to location, topography, and aircraft altitude when dispatched to an Initial Attack target. Firewatch76 is in final development of a different system utilizing the newest Swift Broadband Satellite Internet System.

Wayne Coulson Office: (250) 724-7600 Mobile: (250) 720-6723 wayne.coulson@coulsongroup.com

Coulson Aircrane Ltd 7500 Airport Road, Port Alberni British Columbia, Canada V9Y 7L7