Since upgrading to the new five-bladed Airbus H145, Max Lyons, CEO of Hillsboro Aviation, is convinced he’s found a modern firefighting helicopter that’s ready for the future—and his team agrees.

A Leap in Technology

“The main thing about the H145 is that it’s new technology,” says Lyons. “It has a modern engine, readily available parts, and it’s extremely reliable. Airbus has shown a real commitment to continually enhancing their models’ performance.” With decades of aviation experience, Lyons has been closely involved in discussions on the next generation of firefighting aircraft. In 2024, Hillsboro Aviation’s five-bladed H145 completed its first firefighting season, demonstrating its capability across demanding environments.

Autopilot That Makes a Difference

For Hillsboro pilot Nicole Ludwig, who has been flying helicopters since 1997, one of the standout features of the H145 is its advanced autopilot. “After a taxing firefighting mission, being able to set the autopilot and head back to base is invaluable,” Ludwig shares. “Or during ferry flights—six hours of straight and level—it’s amazing how steady it flies.”

A Successful First Season

Hillsboro’s 2024 fire season with the H145 covered operations in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. “We logged over 200 flight hours across the season,” says Franz Bergtold, Hillsboro’s Director of Operations. “Bucket work, crew transport, reconnaissance—the H145 excelled in every mission.” Bergtold highlights the aircraft’s simplicity: “You just flip the start switch and it’s ready to fly. It’s amazing how complex technology has made it so easy for pilots.”

Shining at High Altitude

Hillsboro pilots were particularly impressed with the H145’s performance at high-density altitudes. Charles Baker, a 25-year veteran pilot, remarks, “It performed better than I expected at altitude. The Fenestron tail rotor authority is impressive.” Ludwig agrees: “The higher you go, the more the H145 surpasses older helicopters. At altitudes up to 11,500 feet in Wyoming and Colorado, it amazed everyone. I dropped three crew members with gear at that altitude with no problems. Fighting fires at around 10,000 ft with a 260-gallon bucket was no issue either.”

A Pilot’s Favorite

For Ludwig, transitioning to the H145 has been seamless. “The more I flew it, the more I fell in love with it. By the end of the season, I went back to a helicopter I’d flown for years, and it felt completely foreign—as if I’d never flown it before.”

As Hillsboro Aviation looks ahead, the five-bladed Airbus H145 has proven itself as a modern, reliable, and high-performing firefighting platform that sets a new standard in aerial firefighting capabilities.