Isolair Helicopter Systems
Isolair Helicopter Systems is a privately held Oregon-based manufacturer of FAA- and EASA-certified helicopter spray and application systems for firefighting, agricultural, and forestry operators worldwide. The company sells complete tank systems, hover pumps, boom valves, and spreaders designed for specific helicopter airframes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersBoring, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Isolair Helicopter Systems does
Isolair, Inc. (dba Isolair Helicopter Systems) is a Boring, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of helicopter-mounted application equipment for firefighting, agriculture, and forestry markets. Founded in the early 1980s by former Air Force and Simplex Manufacturing engineer Bob Mosmeier and acquired by Michael Powell in 1998, the company has built a 40-plus-year catalog of certified external tank systems, hover refill pumps, boom valves, flow control valves, cyclic control systems, fail-safe dump doors, and specialized products such as heli torches and broadcast spreaders. The portfolio is organized into the Eliminator II (firefighting, e.g., 4600-S61 1000-gallon system for Sikorsky S61), Innovator II / Pioneer / Provider / Initiator / Versapplier (agricultural spray), Firefly II (forestry heli torch), Dryslinger II (dry product spreading), and Broadcaster (spreader) series, with replacement parts sold separately. Each system is model-specific to a particular helicopter airframe (Bell, Sikorsky, Eurocopter, MD, Enstrom, Hiller, Hughes/Schweitzer) and is backed by FAA Supplemental Type Certificates, EASA STCs, and a CAAC Validation — regulatory clearances that constitute the company's primary competitive barrier.
The business is a privately held, family-owned hardware manufacturer with 1-10 employees, operating from a corporate/manufacturing headquarters in Boring, Oregon and a satellite office in Orlando, Florida handling sales, FAA document control, and procurement. Revenue is generated entirely through direct sales of complete systems and replacement parts to helicopter operators worldwide, with quote-based pricing (no public price list). Distribution is direct-to-operator via the company website, sales email, and phone, supported by around-the-clock customer service. The company states annual sales in the 'millions of dollars yearly' and serves operators in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Russia — major customer segments being government forestry/firefighting services (e.g., U.S. Forest Service, which uses Firefly II and Eliminator systems), commercial aerial applicators (pesticide/herbicide/insecticide spraying), and forestry operators (broadcast seeding, controlled burning, reforestation).
Isolair Helicopter Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Isolair Helicopter Systems
- Legal name
- Isolair, Inc.
- Website
- https://isolairinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Isolair Helicopter Systems is a privately held Oregon-based manufacturer of FAA- and EASA-certified helicopter spray and application systems for firefighting, agricultural, and forestry operators worldwide. The company sells complete tank systems, hover pumps, boom valves, and spreaders designed for specific helicopter airframes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Isolair Helicopter Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Helicopter-mounted application equipment
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rotorcraft Cabin Interiors & Mission Equipment (IMABABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)
Keywords
Where Isolair Helicopter Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boring
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Isolair Helicopter Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Helicopter Spray System Sales: Manufacture and sale of complete helicopter-mounted spray systems for fire fighting, agricultural, and forestry applications. Includes various tank capacities and helicopter model-specific configurations.
- Parts and Components: Sale of individual parts including Hover Pumps, Boom Valves, Flow Control Valves, and other replacement components for Isolair systems and upgrades.
- Custom System Manufacturing: Custom system design and manufacturing capabilities for specific helicopter models and specialized applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Complete spray system pricing varies by helicopter model and configuration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Isolair Helicopter Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Isolair Helicopter Systems manufactures and supplies helicopter-mounted application equipment, including external tanks, pumps, booms, dump doors, flow control valves, and related control systems, configured for specific helicopter airframes and sold globally. The portfolio spans firefighting water/retardant drop tanks (Eliminator II series), agricultural spray systems (Innovator II, Pioneer/Provider, Initiator, and Versapplier series) for pesticide, herbicide, and liquid fertilizer application, forestry equipment (Firefly II heli torches and Dryslinger II / Broadcaster dry-material spreaders), and replacement parts such as hover refill pumps, boom valves, and flow control valves.
Product overview
Isolair Helicopter Systems manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of helicopter application equipment for fire fighting, agricultural, and forestry operations. The product line is organized into four main categories: Fire Fighting Systems (Eliminator II series for medium and large helicopters including Bell, Eurocopter, and Sikorsky models), Agricultural Spray Systems (Innovator II, Pioneer/Provider, Initiator, and Versapplier series serving various helicopter models), Forestry Products (Firefly II heli torches and Dryslinger II spreaders), and Replacement Parts (hover pumps, boom valves, flow control valves). The company has over 40 years of experience and holds multiple FAA STC and EASA STC certifications for their certified systems. Products range from light-lift 60-gallon tanks to 1000-gallon firefighting systems, serving helicopter operators worldwide in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and other countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 4600-S61 Eliminator II Fire Fighting System Medium-lift firefighting tank system for Sikorsky S61A and S61N helicopters with a 1000-gallon capacity, hydraulically driven refill pump, and electrically actuated dump doors for water and retardant dropping operations.
- 4600-205 Eliminator II Fire Fighting System Firefighting tank system for Bell 205 / 201 / UH-1H helicopters with medium-lift capacity and electrically actuated dump doors for water and retardant delivery.
- 4600-214 Eliminator II Fire Fighting System Firefighting tank system for Bell 214B helicopters with 660-gallon capacity and pilot-controlled loading, dump volume, and drop length.
- 4600-212/412 Eliminator II Fire-Rescue System Fire-rescue tank system for Bell 212/412 helicopters with separate door operations enabling longer drops and a fail-safe dump door system.
- 4600-350B2 Eliminator II Fire Fighting System Medium-lift firefighting tank system for Eurocopter AS350B1, B2, and B3 helicopters with 15-gallon chemical capacity and 270 GPM hover fill rate, using quick-release tank installation.
- 3900-206 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Agricultural spray system for Bell 206B series helicopters with external side-mounted fiberglass and aluminum aerodynamic tanks and quick-release installation; FAA STC SH4796NM and EASA I.M.R.S. approved.
- 3900-206LR Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Medium-lift agricultural spray system for Bell 206LR helicopters with external belly-mounted fiberglass tank and cyclic control for the pump, boom valve, and flow control.
- 3900-280 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Lightweight external belly-mounted spray system for Enstrom 280 and F-28F helicopters with 100-gallon fiberglass tank and belt-driven pump; FAA STC SR03173CH approved.
- 3900-480 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Agricultural spray system for Enstrom 480 helicopters with external belly-mounted fiberglass tank secured to hard points; FAA STC SR02813CH, EASA STC 10039386, and CAAC VSTC0553 validated.
- 3900-205 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Medium-lift agricultural spray system for Bell 205 / 212 / UH-1H helicopters with 350-gallon fiberglass and aluminum tank and 42-foot boom span.
- 3900-350B2 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Agricultural spray system for Eurocopter AS350 / H125 helicopters with cross tube-mounted fiberglass tank and 270-gallon capacity; FAA STC SR01410NY and EASA I.M.R.S. 01018 approved.
- 3700 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Bullet-shaped side tank agricultural spray system for MD 500 series helicopters used for pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides.
- 3700-110 Innovator II Agricultural Spray System Agricultural spray system for MD 500 series helicopters with external side-mounted fiberglass aerodynamic tanks and pilot flow control; FAA STC SH3339NM approved.
- 3600-12E Pioneer/Provider Agricultural Spray System Light-lift spray system for Hiller 12E helicopters with externally mounted fiberglass aerodynamic side-tanks and quick-release installation.
- 3600-B47 Pioneer/Provider Agricultural Spray System Lightweight side tank system for Bell 47 helicopters with electronic operation and in-flight boom pressure adjustments.
- 2700-300 Initiator Agricultural Spray System Light-lift agricultural assembly for Hughes / Schweitzer 300 helicopters with a 60-gallon external side-mounted fiberglass tank and hydraulic motor-driven pump.
- 2600-205 Versapplier Spray System Hook-mounted medium-lift assembly for cargo hook-equipped helicopters with 250-gallon capacity, used for offshore spill containment and spraying applications.
- 2600-475 Versapplier Spray System Heavy-duty spray system for cargo hook-equipped helicopters with 475-gallon capacity, 32-foot boom span, and diesel engine power; features Versapplier cyclic control allowing pilot operation of pumps, boom valve, flow control, and diesel engine from inside the cockpit.
- 3800 Firefly II Heli Torch U.S. Forest Service and DOT approved heli torch for cargo hook-equipped helicopters, designed for controlled burning with electric pump and 55-70 gallon tank capacity.
- 2600 Dryslinger II Spreader System Broadcast seeding and herbicide / pesticide distribution assembly for cargo hook-equipped helicopters, designed for dry products with adjustable flow rates up to 300 lbs/acre.
- 4500-206 Broadcaster Agricultural Spreader System Hard mount lightweight broadcaster for Bell 206B helicopters with external fiberglass side tanks, level sensors, and micro-adjustable metering for precise spread rates; FAA STC SR01429SE approved with EASA STC pending.
- 4500-500 Broadcaster Agricultural Spreader System Hard mount lightweight broadcaster for Hughes 500 series helicopters with external fiberglass side tanks and 20 cubic foot capacity.
- 46-2002 Hover Pump Replacement Part Replacement pump for Isolair firefighting systems with 400 GPM maximum hover refill rate and 48 lbs weight.
- 3740 Boom Valve Replacement Part Direct replacement boom valve for Isolair systems with 24 VDC power requirement, designed for ease of operation and maintenance.
- 3744 Flow Control Valve Replacement Part Pilot-controlled flow control valve for in-flight boom pressure adjustment enabling precise applications and reduced waste; available in 12 or 24 VDC.
Quantifiable outcome
- Isolair Eliminator II systems operating in U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Russia, and more
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Isolair Helicopter Systems
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Isolair Helicopter Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Isolair Helicopter Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Isolair Helicopter Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Breeze-Eastern Corporation: Breeze-Eastern designs and manufactures helicopter external mission equipment including rescue hoists, cargo hooks, and external load systems; it serves the same rotorcraft operator base as Isolair but in adjacent mission categories rather than spray/firefighting systems.
- Air Tractor: Air Tractor is a leading manufacturer of agricultural aircraft used in aerial application; it serves the same ag-aviation end customers and firefighting retardant delivery market as Isolair, but with fixed-wing airframes rather than helicopter-mounted equipment.
- Thrush Aircraft: Thrush Aircraft builds fixed-wing agricultural aircraft (crop dusters) used by aerial applicators for pesticide and herbicide application; it targets the same agricultural aviation customer segment as Isolair's Innovator II spray systems but via a different platform.
Direct peers
- SEI Industries: SEI Industries manufactures the iconic Bambi Bucket, a helicopter-slung water and retardant delivery system widely used in aerial firefighting; it competes head-to-head with Isolair's Eliminator II tank systems for government and private firefighting operators worldwide.
- Aero Union Corporation: Aero Union is a long-standing U.S. manufacturer of helicopter firefighting retardant tanks and aerial firefighting equipment, overlapping directly with Isolair's firefighting product line and serving similar U.S. Forestry Service and operator customers.
- Simplex Manufacturing: Simplex Manufacturing (also branded as Simplex Aerospace) produces helicopter-mounted firefighting tank systems and aerial application equipment that directly competes with Isolair's Eliminator II and Innovator II product lines across firefighting, agricultural, and forestry operators.
- Simplex Aerospace (AFTAS line): Simplex's AFTAS family of helicopter firefighting and agricultural tank systems overlaps directly with Isolair's Eliminator II and Innovator II lines in capacity, helicopter models served, and customer base across firefighting and aerial application operators.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Isolair Helicopter Systems social profiles
Digital presenceIsolair Helicopter Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Isolair Helicopter Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Isolair Helicopter Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Isolair Helicopter Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Isolair Helicopter Systems
What does Isolair Helicopter Systems do?
Isolair Helicopter Systems manufactures and supplies helicopter-mounted application equipment, including external tanks, pumps, booms, dump doors, flow control valves, and related control systems, configured for specific helicopter airframes and sold globally. The portfolio spans firefighting water/retardant drop tanks (Eliminator II series), agricultural spray systems (Innovator II, Pioneer/Provider, Initiator, and Versapplier series) for pesticide, herbicide, and liquid fertilizer application, forestry equipment (Firefly II heli torches and Dryslinger II / Broadcaster dry-material spreaders), and replacement parts such as hover refill pumps, boom valves, and flow control valves.
Is Isolair Helicopter Systems a public or private company?
Isolair Helicopter Systems is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Isolair Helicopter Systems founded?
Isolair Helicopter Systems was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Isolair Helicopter Systems based?
Isolair Helicopter Systems is headquartered in Boring, United States, in the North America region.
How does Isolair Helicopter Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Helicopter Spray System Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts and Components and custom System Manufacturing.
Who are Isolair Helicopter Systems's main competitors?
Others on record are Breeze-Eastern Corporation, Air Tractor and Thrush Aircraft. Direct peers are SEI Industries, Aero Union Corporation, Simplex Manufacturing and Simplex Aerospace (AFTAS line).
Does Isolair Helicopter Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Isolair Helicopter Systems.
What industry is Isolair Helicopter Systems in?
Isolair Helicopter Systems's product category is Helicopter-mounted application equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABABAJ, Rotorcraft Cabin Interiors & Mission Equipment, with a secondary code of IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets). Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.