Coulson FireLiner

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Coulson FireLiner
Coulson Aviation (N137CG) Boeing 737-3H4(WL) at Albury Airport.jpg
A Coulson Aviation 737 FireLiner at Albury Airport in March 2019.
General information
Role Air tanker
National originCanada
Manufacturer Coulson Aviation
StatusIn service
Primary userCoulson Aviation
Number built6
History
Developed from Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-700

The Coulson FireLiner is a Boeing 737 airliner that has been modified by Coulson Aviation to become a specialized aerial firefighting air tanker. [1]

Contents

History

In May 2017, Coulson Aviation announced the FireLiner program and acquisition of six ex-Southwest airlines Boeing 737-300s to be converted. [2] The company previously had been using helicopters and three Lockheed C-130s customized for use as air tankers, but obtaining more C-130s for civilian use was difficult. [2]

On July 14, 2018, Coulson Aviation performed the water first drops with the FireLiner. [3]

On November 23, 2018, the FireLiner was used operationally for the first time. [4]

On May 23, 2024, Coulson Aviation announced a next-generation FireLiner program, acquiring their first Boeing 737-700 aircraft. [5] Coulson plans to have a fleet of up to ten Boeing 737-700s. [5]

Design

The FireLiner is equipped with Coulson Aviation's Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS-XXL). The FireLiner can drop up to 4,000 US gallons (15,000 L) of fire retardant with a flow rate of 1,600 US gallons (6,100 L) per second. [6] This is the same carrying capacity as the company's C-130 tankers and exceeds the 3,000 US gallons (11,000 L) carrying capacity of the company's CH-47 Chinook helicopters. [1] While fully loaded with retardant, the FireLiner can also transport up to 72 firefighters without reconfiguration and fly at maximum rated speeds and with unrestricted altitudes. [1]

Conversion process

Converting a 737 into a FireLiner requires 43,000 man hours to complete the conversion. The process includes the installation of the RADS-XXL, avionics upgrades, new interior with seats for 72 passengers, and a full repaint. [7]

Operators

OperatorIn serviceOn orderNotes
Coulson Aviation 4 [8] 9
Government of Santiago del Estero1 [9] -

Accidents

On February 6, 2023, a Boeing 737-300 FireLiner owned by Coulson Aviation and used as an air tanker crashed in the Fitzgerald River National Park in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia while fighting multiple fires. The two crew members aboard—both pilots—survived with minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. [10] [11] [12] The aircraft was destroyed, and resulted in the first hull loss of a Boeing 737 in Australia. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Our Fleet". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Gabbert, Bill. "Coulson to convert 737s into airtankers". Wildfire Today. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ Gabbert, Bill (July 14, 2018). "The first drops from the 737 air tanker". Wildfire Today. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Boeing 737 Fireliner has been used operationally for the first time". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Coulson Aviation Continues to Expand Fleet and Aerial Firefighting Capabilities Through Acquisition of Boeing 737-700 Aircraft Platform". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Retardand Aerial Delivery Systems". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Coulson Aviation Fireliner wins USDA Forest Service contract Coulson Aviation Press Release | April 3, 2020". Skies Magazine. April 3, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Challenges Faced by Coulson Aircrane Ltd. in Expansion Efforts at AVRA" (PDF). Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Coulson Aviation and The Provincia de Santiago del Estero in Argentina Sign Deal to Purchase Coulson 737 Fireliner™". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rescue mission launched after firefighting aircraft crashes in WA's Great Southern". 7NEWS. February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Fiore, Briana; Di Iorio, Olivia; Richards, Abby (February 6, 2023). "Two pilots survive after 737 large air tanker crashes in Fitzgerald River National Park while battling bushfires". ABC News. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  12. ↑ Myles, Cameron (February 6, 2023). "Plane crashes as firefighters battle blaze in WA's south". WAtoday. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  13. ↑ Perpitch, Nicolas; Pin, Phoebe; Wong-See, Tim (February 7, 2023). "Boeing 737 crash pilots walk away from fiery wreckage as Mark McGowan hails their survival a 'miracle'". ABC News. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
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