Kestrel Aviation is part of the fabric of Australian Aerial Firefighting

Founded by Captain Ray Cronin, Kestrel Aviation has significantly augmented Australiaʼs aerial firefighting capabilities. With over 42 years of flying experience and more than 10,000 hours logged, Ray stands as one of Australiaʼs most seasoned helicopter pilots and instructors.

Kestrel Aviation specialises in emergency response and firefighting support with its fleet of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, including the versatile heavy-lift Erickson Aircrane. Operated by highly experienced pilots from state-of-the-art headquarters in Mangalore, this fleet delivers powerful and reliable helicopter firefighting and emergency response capability.

In 2018, Kestrel became the first Australian helicopter company to obtain unrestricted night firebombing approval from CASA. This capability, pioneering firefighting after dark, is set to revolutionise firefighting in Australia. Night-time aerial firebombing provides an unprecedented advantage, allowing for more effective and continuous firefighting operations.

Kestrel Aviation has now launched its night vision firefighting capability, paving the way for firefighting after dark in Australia for the first time. Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world. Night-time aerial firebombing has the potential to improve the ability of Victoria and other states to fight fires, affording better protection for bushfire-prone communities.

Kestrelʼs innovative approach, combining adept piloting with advanced technology, facilitates precise water drops in all conditions, even at night. As the wildfire seasons extend, with patterns indicating a shift from a 3-month to a 7-month season, such capabilities are becoming indispensable.