Photo Contest Entries

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Bell 407 set up with PSD, working out of Alexandria, Louisiana to conduct prescribed burns with the US Forest Service in the Kisatchie National Forest. Early February 2025

Madison Stumler

2

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POV from the drill pad, driller walking to the helicopter during an early morning crew change from the drill site to camp. Located somewhere in the eastern Alaska Range mountains in early September. The fall foliage creating a beautiful back drop.

Madison Stumler

6

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AS350 long lining at a drill site, somewhere in the eastern Alaska Range mountains, with the beautiful September foliage back drop.

Madison Stumler

5

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Drillers loading up early morning for shift change off the drill site. Somewhere in the eastern Alaska Range mountains with the beautiful September foliage setting the backdrop.

Madison Stumler

5

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The true backbone of aviation that doesn’t get enough recognition. They work hard and do their best to keep the aircraft in the air. As a chief pilot, I’m very grateful of the folks that work day in and day out to make aviation a success.

Colby Martin

2

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An Écureuil helicopter is pumping water.
For the fire in Brignoles, Var, France.

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Black Edge Aviation UH-60A N274TH Black Hawk departing Karuah LZ to return to firefighting operations north of Karuah, NSW, Australia on the 13th November 2025

Stephen Baldwin

6

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The Dragon helicopter for observation of the fire in Pontevès (Var department) near the security command post, France.

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Kestrel Bell 412EP registration VH-ESB arriving at the forward operating base at Karuah, NSW, Australia while fighting a bushfire at north of Karuah on the 13th November 2025.

Stephen Baldwin

3

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Australian Army Aviation CH-47F passing Redhead Bluff, Redhead, NSW, Australia on the return journey to RAAF Base Townsville after attending the 2025 Australian International Airshow.

Stephen Baldwin

3

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An Super Puma helicopter is pumping water.
For the fire in Brignoles, Var, France.

Hervé Dermoune

2

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The Ecureuil helicopter and the equipment to be airlifted onto the truck for the fire in Pontevès (Var department), near the security command post, in France.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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Passing before landing on a amphibious assault ship by an ALAT Tiger helicopter

Hervé Dermoune

1

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An Écureuil helicopter is pumping water.
For the fire in Brignoles, Var, France.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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Ecureuil and Dragon helicopters are deployed to fight the fire in Pontevès (Var department), near the security command post, in France. Pictured are firefighters with the director of SDIS 83 and the sub-prefect of Brignoles.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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The Dragon helicopter for observation of the fire in Pontevès (Var department) near the security command post, France.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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An Super Puma helicopter drops water during the fire in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Two Ecureuil helicopters are pumping water.
For the fire in Brignoles, in the Var department, France.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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An Écureuil helicopter drops water during the fire in Saint-Victoret, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.

Hervé Dermoune

1

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Search and rescue aircraft at rest at the rescue station with sar hmmwv note color scheme in high vis for crew safety and finding units in the Maine woods

Richard Bowie

9

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Training for the aerial demonstration by three Panther ahead of the 30th anniversary of Flotilla 36F

Hervé Dermoune

2

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A Seahawk helicopter from the aircraft carrier Ford landed in the port of Marseille to drop off the port pilot.

Hervé Dermoune

4

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Helicopter winching demonstration between a Dauphin helicopter and the SNSM (French Sea Rescue Society).

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Sea rescue exercise with an EC135 from the National Gendarmerie Air Force

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Departure of a French Navy Panther from the Hyères Naval Air Base

Hervé Dermoune

3

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Helicopter winching demonstration between a Dauphin helicopter and the SNSM (French Sea Rescue Society).

Hervé Dermoune

4

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An NH90 helicopter and its crew on the deck of the frigate Amiral Ronarc'h (french navy)

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Training for the aerial demonstration by three Panther (french navy) before the Toulon air show

Hervé Dermoune

2

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Helicopter winching exercise with an EC135 of the National Gendarmerie Air Force

Hervé Dermoune

10

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Two Spanish Tiger and a Chinook departing from the Hyères Naval Air Base

Hervé Dermoune

5

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A British Wildcat departing from the Hyères Naval Air Base for testing

Hervé Dermoune

6

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Start-up of a French Navy Panther helicopter from the Hyères Naval Air Base

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Departure of two Panther helicopters and an NH90 from Hyères Naval Air Base.
Air show celebrating the 100th anniversary of the naval air base.

Hervé Dermoune

5

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An Alouette III helicopter from the Hyères Naval Air Base.
Air show celebrating the 100th anniversary of the naval air base.

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Demonstration by three Panther during the 30th anniversary of Flotilla 36F

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Sea rescue exercise with an EC135 from the National Gendarmerie Air Force

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Helicopter winching exercise with an EC135 of the National Gendarmerie Air Force

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Demonstration between a Dauphin helicopter (french navy) and the SNSM (French Sea Rescue Society).

Hervé Dermoune

7

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Manual ignition of a French Navy Lynx helicopter

Hervé Dermoune

6

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A Seahawk helicopter took off from the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the port of Marseille, after dropping off the pilot from the port.

Hervé Dermoune

5

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Australian Army Aviation Loadmasters on the ground for a flight of two Chinooks "Chainsaw" arriving in Melbourne for Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025.

Laurence Yang

7

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Bell 214 Helitack 673 arrives low and steady over Warradale Park, settling onto the grass for a brief but vital refuelling stop. The heavy helicopter’s broad rotor blades dominate the frame, frozen mid-turn as ground crew prepare to service the aircraft. Sunlight catches the fuselage, highlighting the work-worn paint and the unmistakable strength of a machine built for demanding conditions. Around it, the quiet suburban park contrasts sharply with the urgency of the mission, transformed into a temporary staging point for aerial firefighting. Every detail speaks of efficiency and readiness — the aircraft positioned with precision, the pause measured in minutes, not moments. Soon, fuel tanks will be full and 673 will lift again, returning to the fireground. The image captures a calm interval between intense operations, showing the essential logistics behind bushfire response and the power and presence of Helitack 673 at rest, but never idle.

Arya Dayabhai

8

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S-64F Skycrane "Isabelle" picking up water in a suburban environment allowed me to get within 30 metres as the helicopter responded to a fire at Donnybrook.

Laurence Yang

11

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Between trees: Erickson Inc. Skycrane N178AC "Isabelle" picks up water with its pond snorkle down in the Werribee River during a fire at Hopetoun Park.

Laurence Yang

10

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An AS 332 Super Puma (HELITAK349) operated by Kestrel Aviation landing at Essendon Fields after night firefighting operations during the Victorian fire season.

Laurence Yang

10

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Australian Army Aviation Chinook A15-312 "Chariot" arrives in Melbourne as part of a flight of two in preparation for Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025.

Laurence Yang

9

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Microflite Bell 212 VH-JJR as 'HELITAK 338' emerges from a 100 metre deep gorge of the Werribee River during operations at a grassfire at Hopetoun Park.

Laurence Yang

8

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Australian Army Aviation Loadmasters on the ground for a flight of two Chinooks "Chainsaw" arriving in Melbourne for Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025.

Laurence Yang

8

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Helitack 679 hovers low over the water at The Cut Golf Course, its rotors whipping the surface into a storm of spray as the snorkel disappears beneath the pond. Seconds later, Helitack 678 follows close behind, perfectly aligned in the airspace, a powerful reminder of coordinated aerial firefighting in action. Beyond the manicured greens, smoke from a bushfire burning in nearby Falcon drifts across the sky, softening the horizon and adding urgency to the scene. The contrast is striking: calm fairways transformed into a critical lifeline, and precision flying unfolding above an otherwise peaceful landscape. Each aircraft pauses only briefly, tanks filling in moments, before lifting away to return water to the fireground. The image captures a fleeting but vital moment — teamwork, skill, and speed — as these helicopters turn an everyday location into a frontline resource in the fight to protect the community.

Arya Dayabhai

7

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Bell 214 Helitack 674 hovers precisely over the water at Warradale Park, its powerful rotors flattening the surface into rippling rings of spray. The snorkel hangs steady beneath the aircraft, drawing water in seconds as the helicopter balances effortlessly just metres above the pond. Framed by trees and open parkland, the scene contrasts raw mechanical power with an otherwise quiet suburban setting. Rotor wash bends the surrounding grass and sends mist drifting across the water, capturing the intensity of aerial firefighting at close range. This brief moment is all business — no wasted movement, no hesitation — as 674 turns an everyday park into a vital supply point. Within moments the tank is full, and the helicopter will climb away toward the fireground. The image freezes that split second where skill, timing, and strength meet, highlighting the critical role of aerial crews and machines in protecting communities during bushfire operations.

Arya Dayabhai

9

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NH90 TTH (french army) heading towards PHA Dixmude (french navy)

Hervé Dermoune

13

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Demonstration flight of the Airbus Racer during the Paris Air Show 2025, captured on June 17, 2025. The aircraft showcases its innovative high-speed rotorcraft design in front of an international audience.

Tom Buysse

9

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Helicopter Transport Services (Canada based operator) Helitanker 5HT, dousing flames part of a few hot spots in Riverside County, CA during the Dale Fire, Summer 2025.

Alex Lipin

9

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Helicopter Transport Services (Canada based operator) Helitanker 5HT, passes over an active uncontrolled wall of fire during the Dale Fire in Riverside County, CA..

Alex Lipin

14

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Siller Helitanker 95B shadowed by Army Nat'l Guard Copter 836, while departing Otay Lakes in Chula Vista, CA during the Border 2 Fire burning in the Otay Mountain Wilderness.

Alex Lipin

11

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CAL FIRE copter 609, a Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk based out of Hemet-Ryan air attack base in Riverside County, CA passing over following a drop on the Dale Fire.

Alex Lipin

9

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Siller Helitanker 95B shadowed by Army Nat'l Guard Copter 836, while departing Otay Lakes in Chula Vista, CA during the Border 2 Fire burning in the Otay Mountain Wilderness.

Alex Lipin

10

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A CAL FIRE crewmember fills up their Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk shortly after landing at a staging area in Lakeside, CA during the Monte Fire in June 2025.

Alex Lipin

8

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A fairly brand new Bell 412EPX from the San Diego County Sheriff's Dept. hovers over a mobile water tank used for aerial firefighting, during an annual wildland drill in North County of San Diego, CA in May 2025.

Alex Lipin

7

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LA County Fire Dept/ Copter 22, filling up with water utilizing a mobile water tank and making numerous trips to and from the Palisades Fire during the January 2025 Los Angeles Firestorm.

Alex Lipin

7