| Name: | Aerial Firefighting Industry Association (AFIA) |
| Address: | P. O. Box 523068 |
| City: | Springfield, Virginia 22152 |
| Phone: | (703) 644-6454 |
| Fax: | (703) 644-4001 |
| Website | www.afia.com |
| broadwel@erols.com |
The AFIA was incorporated in 1988 to advance the common interests and welfare of companies engaged in forest and wildland firefighting using airtankers.
Association Description:
The AFIA is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective communications between airtanker operators and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Interior, and state government firefighting agencies to ensure the firefighting industry is prepared to meet current and future aerial firefighting needs. The AFIA member companies contract with the USDA-Forest Service and the state firefighting agencies to provide aerial firefighting support to wildland suppression efforts throughout the continental United States and Alaska. Over the years, these support services have proven to be a key element in fighting wildland fires, both in an initial attack role during early fire detection and as a major contributor in large fire suppressions efforts.
The AFIA is also instrumental in informing federal and state government agencies, legislators, and the general public about air tanker industry objectives and contributions to the well-being of the country's citizens and economy.
Member/Facilities:
| Aero Flite, Inc. | Kingman, Arizona |
| Aero Union Corporation | Chico, California |
| ARDCO, Inc. | Tucson, Arizona |
| Butler Aircraft Company | Redmond, Oregon |
| Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc. | Greybull, Wyoming |
| Hirth Air Tankers | Buffalo, Wyoming |
| Neptune Aviation Services | Missoula, Montana |
| International Air Response, Inc. | Chandler, Arizona |
| T.B.M., Inc. | Tulare, California |
| Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated | Central Point, Oregon |
| Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. | McMinnville, Oregon |
| Heavy Lift Helicopters, Inc. | Clovis, California |
| Downstown Aero | Vineland, New Jersey |
| Queen Bee Air Specialties, Inc. | Rigby, Idaho |
| Air Tractor, Inc. | Olney, Texas |
| AquaAir, Inc. | Alamogordo, New Mexico |
| Arnold Kolb (Black Hills Aviation, Inc.) | Alamogordo, New Mexico |
| Basler Turbo Conversions | Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
| Bighorn Airways, Inc. | Sheridan, Wyoming |
| Lane Aviation, Inc. | Rosenberg, Texas |
| Precision Engines Corporation | Everett, Washington |
Markets Served: The AFIA member companies provide aerial firefighting support for wildland fires nationwide. The members work with government agencies to secure contracts to protect specific regions of the country during peak fire seasons. A breakdown of the peak fire season by region is as follows:
| February-April: | Southern United States
Eastern United States |
| May-June: | Alaska
Southwestern United States |
| June-September: | Western United States |
Aircraft:
The AFIA member companies employ a variety of aircraft to fight forest
and wildland fires. Many of the airtankers used for aerial firefighting
are World War II vintage aircraft converted to airtankers. In the late
1980s, the industry started to modern their airtanker fleets with turbine
powered P-3A and C-130A aircraft. The current airtanker inventory includes:
| · DC-6 | · KC-97 | · S-64 (heli-tanker) |
| · DC-7 | · P-2V | · CH-54 (heli-tanker) |
| · PV-2 | · SP-2H | · AT-802 (single engine) |
| · C-54 | · P-3A | · G-164A AG-CAT (single engine) |
| · M-18B (single engine) | ||