Victoria, Australia (28 March 2025) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is proud to be celebrating Kestrel Aviation’s 40th anniversary. As the operator of Australia’s largest Bell medium-twin fleet and the preeminent leader in aerial firefighting, Kestrel Aviation has been proudly protecting Australian communities for four decades, partnering and providing fire and emergency management agencies across the country with world-class service and support.
Founded in 1985 by Ray Cronin OAM, the wholly Australian- and family-owned business started out as a helicopter pilot training school in suburban Melbourne but has grown into one of the biggest aerial firefighting outfits in Australia and is now based at a purpose-built helicopter airfield in Mangalore, central Victoria, which houses several large hangars, a dedicated operations center for fleet monitoring, a rotorcraft simulator, training facilities, an administration center and a storage warehouse.
The industry veteran, with nearly 50 years of experience and more than 10,000 flight hours under his belt, has led Kestrel Aviation to become a critical player in combating Australia’s bushfires. The company’s expertise and advanced fleet have been instrumental in providing rapid response and effective firefighting capabilities, significantly reducing the impact of bushfires on communities and the environment.
Kestrel Aviation currently operates an extensive fleet of Bell aircraft, including the Bell 206L3, Bell 407, Bell 212s, and Bell 412s. These aircraft are equipped with the latest technology and are maintained to the highest standards, ensuring they are always ready to respond to emergencies. The fleet's versatility and reliability make it an essential asset in aerial firefighting operations, capable of tackling fires in diverse and challenging terrains.
As Bell celebrates this milestone with Kestrel Aviation, the company remains committed to innovation and excellence in aerial firefighting. With a focus on continuous improvement and investment in new technologies, Kestrel Aviation is well-positioned to meet the evolving challenges of fire management and continue its legacy of protecting Australian communities for many years to come.
About Bell
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.
Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
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