Power to spare: Helicarrier’s H215 Super Pumas have the engine to get the job done

Frederic Carrier’s Quebec-based helicopter company uses their Super Pumas for firefighting missions. He explains why the helicopter performs so well when the heat is on. 

When asked on which missions HeliCarrier’s Super Pumas prove their worth, he does not hesitate: “Firefighting and construction. It’s really powerful, reliable, easy to operate and dispatchable very quickly.”

Consistent H215 engine performance for Canadian missions 

Carrier’s enthusiasm for the helicopter is obvious and he attributes the Super Puma’s high performance on firefighting and longline missions to the design of the engine. “What I like about flying it is the Airbus mentality where everything is kind of derated,” he states. “So you always have what you need to do the job, to always perform like itshould.” For the uninitiated, a derated engine is one that produces much more power than the aircraft design limitation (maximum allowed power) at sea level, on a cold day. The system does not allow the pilot to use the entirety of the engine’s power potential, so its output is capped in these conditions. While that sounds limiting, the reality is that on a hot day, or at altitude, the Super Puma’s engine has the reserve capacity to maintain its maximum allowed power, when weaker engines may start to fade. Extra power in high and hot environments is a clear advantage for many parapublic missions and especially firefighting. Pilots can count on the consistency of the Super Puma’s performance, regardless of operating conditions. They can also have confidence that the engine has the power to spare manoeuvres during operations as the engine has not been pushed to its thermal limit.

Rapidly dispatchable helicopters for aerial firefighting 

Operating below maximum thermal limits reduces ‘wear and tear,’ significantly boosting maintenance intervals and aircraft availability. Indeed, Carrier highlights this as another of the helicopter’s strong points for firefighting - and when it’s needed, it’s ready to go, especially for work abroad, which is an important part of HeliCarrier’s business. What’s more, beyond availability, the Super Puma’s performance means it can get to where it needs to go quickly and smoothly. “It’s easy to get it out there and it’s a quick aircraft," he states. “So for something like a ferry flight to Chile, we can complete a long ferry with autopilot and then thanks to its background of being an offshore machine it is super quick and easy to dispatch. It’s got good range, good legs and is fast.”

Versatile personnel transport for Quebec's emergency services 

Carrier also highlights the fact that the Super Puma is a Standard category aircraft. “I’m a huge advocate of Standard category aircraft; being able to put people in it does give it an edge,” he says. Unlike some heavy helicopters used in parapublic roles, the Super Puma can transport personnel. This allows it to move firefighters for logistics evacuation - adding another powerful string to its bow as a firefighting apparatus. With so many strong attributes, it is perhaps not surprising that Carrier does not envisage using their Super Puma fleet for anything radically different - knowing that the Super Puma has the power they need to deliver. “The core business of HeliCarrier is construction, power line support, firefighting and for the next five years, we’ll still be doing what we’ve been doing best for the last 15 years. Just what we’re doing now.”