Aerial Fire Fighters On Pay As You Go

UK start-up Arcus Fire, has joined forces with New Zealand companies Flight Structures Ltd and Pacific Aerospace to develop the F-45, a clean-sheet single engined turboprop focused on the fire fighting, cargo and commuter airline markets.

- Cesare de Villiers

The partners are also creating the F-25, a fire-fighting version of Pacific’s Super-Pac XL utility turbine single. The F-25, is scheduled to recieve its supplemental type certificates in 2021.

Once introduced into the market for fire fighting aircraft, the Firecatcher F-45 aerial tanker will be available to governments on a unique EUPAYG programme developed by Arcus Fire with the aircraft lessor market. Exclusive Use Pay As You Go is a new hire programme available for government agencies that allows them to take delivery of the aircraft for 365 days and only pay for them when they use them.

The $4.2 million F-45 Firecatcher will fill a spot for a contemporary, versatile and cost-efficient air tanker competing in opposition to established out-of-production designs together with Bombardier’s CL-215 and Grumman’s S-2AT. The $2.2 million F-25 will probably be pitched in opposition to “long-in-the-tooth” sorts together with the Polish-made PZL Dromader

The Firecatcher Aircraft F-45 is a single-turboprop aircraft designed for aerial fire fighting, air freight and commuter airline. It is financed by UK start-up Arcus Fire, designed by New Zealand firm Flight Structures and built by NZ's Pacific Aerospace. First flight is planned for 2023 and first delivery for 2024.

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