BHI H60 Helicopters Certified for Fire Fighting & Special Operations by FAA?

via Vertical Magazine.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a groundbreaking restricted-category type certification to BHI H60 Helicopters, allowing commercial operation of Sikorsky UH-60A helicopters for firefighting and special operations.


BHI H60 Helicopters is a joint venture by longtime commercial helicopter operators including Firehawk Helicopters, Brown Helicopter and Dynamic Aviation.

This is the first type-certificate issued to a privately-held company outside of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and will allow the more than 60 UH-60A aircraft sold by the U.S. Army over the last 12 months to be commercially operated.


Firehawk Helicopters led the certification process, successfully obtaining approval in less than five months while working in conjunction with Aircraft Certification Management Services and the FAA Denver Aircraft Certification Office.

Firehawk Helicopters, Brown Helicopter, and Dynamic Aviation either operate or have available for acquisition over 40 UH-60/S-70 aircraft in total.

No big deal right?

Well think again.  Brown Helicopter (here) and Dynamic Aviation (here)  have the scent of being private contractors for SOCOM and CIA all over them.

Additionally the idea that a certification for Special Ops work indicates that they'll be used for exactly that purpose.  Taken alone this means nothing.  Add it to the list of craziness that SOCOM is involved in and its worth a further look.