Dauntless Air has announced a fleet expansion amid increasing demand for its single-engine water-scooping aircraft. The company’s added five more Fire Bosses to its fleet of water-scooping SEATs. In the U.S. a record number of new Fire Boss solicitations were issued during this past off-season.
“The Fire Boss is a game-changer in wildfire suppression,” said Brett L’Esperance, CEO of Dauntless Air.
As far back as 2012, the RAND Corporation recommended an increased focus on scoopers in the U.S. aerial firefighting strategy — amid numerous other airtanker studies. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s clear that single-engine scooper initial attack is gaining ground around the world,” added L’Esperance.
As climate change and other factors exacerbate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, more states and federal agencies are considering increased focus on scoopers.
A total of 29 OAS-compliant Fire Bosses now operate across 24 exclusive-use and 10 CWN contracts, up from 15 EU and 7 CWN contracts from last year. Dauntless Air holds most of these contracts, many of which were issued by states that have never before offered a SEAT scooper contract.
Internationally, fire agencies have now ordered dozens of Fire Bosses to add to their firefighting fleets. Officials in Greece have ordered a record-setting 31 Fire Bosses in the last two years, and Turkey and Slovenia secured manufacturer contracts — for 15 and four aircraft, respectively.
David Dow’s Fire Boss photos were featured by General Aviation News; photos he captured of pilots conducting training flights at Heber Springs Municipal Airport (KHBZ) in Arkansas; they were operating out of Greers Ferry Lake just north of Little Rock.