Aloha to New Eurocopter BK117-850G2 

Hawaii’s Maui Fire Department (MFD) has announced the imminent fielding of a new helicopter that will supplement the organization’s firefighting, rescue, and personnel transport operations. 

The Eurocopter BK117-850G2–dubbed Iolani, or “royal hawk” in Hawaiian—was blessed in a May ceremony hosted by Fire Chief Bradford Ventura. Among those in attendance were Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino, County Council member Mike Molina, and representatives of several local and state agencies.   The blessing itself was conducted by MFD Assistant Chief of Operations Hanale Lindo.

The Maui Fire Department contracts helicopter services from Windward Aviation, a Kahului Airport-based charter flight operator and the actual owner of the new BK 117.

The new, twin-engine Eurocopter can carry 11 passengers or haul 300-gallons of [fire suppressant] water—a threefold increase over its predecessor. The aircraft also features an increased hoist capability for lifting victims and rescuers from the ground into the aircraft. 

In addition to general transport, wildlife operations, terrestrial/maritime rescue, and structural fire-fighting, the BK117–which is slated to enter service on 01 July—will help in suppressing the increasing number of wildfires MFD has faced in recent years. In 2020, the department responded to 59 brush-fires. In 2021, that number grew to 71. Through May 2022, MFD has been called upon to fight 84 such blazes. 

The BK117 twin-engine, utility-transport helicopter was developed and manufactured by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm in cooperation with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. A series of mergers and acquisitions saw rights to the design pass from MBB to Daimler-Benz to Eurocopter. On 02 January 2014, Eurocopter was renamed Airbus Helicopters.

FMI: www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters