Fire Helicopter Choice   

BH429, A109, H135...under 7000 lb MGW, still in production, newer than 2000:

Helicopter Type      Aircraft Certified Internal Gross Weight
Type 1                   Over 12,501 pounds

Type 2                   7,001 to 12,501 pounds

Type 3                   Up to 7,000 pounds

EXHIBIT 1 - MODERN HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS
(a) Type 3

(1) Powerplant: Twin-turbine engine.
(2) Airspeed: 120 knots VNE at 5000 feet pressure altitude and 30°C at maximum gross weight.
(3) Seating: Utility seating configuration for six or more insured passenger seats not including pilot
but including copilot seat in an aircraft if certificated for single pilot operation.
(4) Landing Gear: Skid type or wheeled.
(5) Certifications: Standard airworthiness certificate. Certificated as a 14 CFR Part 27 Normal
Category or Part 29 Transport category aircraft that is certified for One Engine Inoperative
operation, or a part 21.29 certified aircraft meeting the same standard. If not manufactured in the
United States, only those aircraft certificated by a country the United States has a bilateral
agreement with that incorporates reciprocal airworthiness certification of civil aeronautical
products
(6) Systems: Integrated Aircraft Health and Usage Monitoring System, i.e., engine trend monitor,
and vibration monitor systems in accordance with Attachment 30.
(7) Fuel Tanks: Crash Resistant Fuel System meeting at least partial compliance with Part
27.952 Amendment level 30 or 29.952 Amendment level 35. See SAIB SW-17-31R2
(or latest revision) for latest list of eligible aircraft
(8) Date of Manufacture: 2000 - Present.
(9) Aircraft in Current Production: The aircraft model derivative offered must be in current
production, meaning the aircraft manufacturer is currently producing complete aircraft of the
same model derivative offered.