Aircraft Overview
Manufacturer
Aérospatiale
France (now Airbus Helicopters)
Model
AS350 SD1
Squirrel — LTS-101 variant
Year of Manufacture
1989
35+ year airframe
Engine
LTS-101-600A-3A
Lycoming/Honeywell — 650 shp
Total Airframe Hours
16,988 hrs
Reference date: 13 Aug 2026
Max Gross Weight
2,250 kg
4,960 lb
Useful Load (approx)
~1,000 kg
Configuration dependent
Seating
1 + 5
Pilot + 5 pax (standard)
12-Year Inspection
Completed
Approx 2 years ago
NVFR Certified
Yes
Night VFR equipped
Livery / History
Firebird 285
Ex-NSWRFS aerial firefighting
Location
Australia
New South Wales
⚠ Overdue Items — 13 Aug 2026 (6 Items)
- Fuel Control Unit (4-301-288-13): 2,400hr OH — OVERDUE by 116.2 hrs
- Airflow Modulator (4-301-102-12): 2,400hr OH — OVERDUE by 83.5 hrs
- ELT Battery — Artex ME406 (452-6499): 3-year LL — OVERDUE by 503 days (expired 28 Mar 2025)
- Lead Acid Battery #1 (PC925 0765-20411020): 2-year LL — OVERDUE by 360 days (expired 18 Aug 2025)
- Lead Acid Battery #2 (PC925 0765-20410521): 2-year LL — OVERDUE by 360 days (expired 18 Aug 2025)
- TX Hose (704A34412009): 3,650-day LL — 25 days remaining — due 07 Sep 2026
Note: Drive bearing SB (LTS101-73-20) previously overdue — TRDS Bearings (Set of 6) replaced Sep 2023, now 43% remaining to Sep 2028. Data from maintenance records dated 13 August 2026 at 16,988 hrs. Independent pre-purchase inspection recommended.
Avionics & Equipment
🛰 Navigation
- Garmin GNS 430W GPS/Nav/Comm — coupled to HSI/Indicator
- Garmin GPS 296 (moving map)
- Garmin 2nd COM radio
- Spidertrax GPS tracking
- ADSB Transponder (ADS-B Out)
- ELT (Artex ME406)
📻 Communications
- Simoco NPWS (National Parks & Wildlife Service) radio
- Simoco RFS (Rural Fire Service) radio
- All radios new in 2015
- Garmin 2nd COM radio
- AMS44 Audio Panel / Intercom
🪄 Instruments & Avionics
- Digital Attitude/Heading Reference System (Digital A/H)
- NVFR instruments & cockpit lighting
- NVFR lighting — upgraded with 12-year inspection
- Large Dart floor observation window
- Belly mirrors
🚁 Aerial Work Systems
- Hook Assembly (belly-mounted)
- Onboard Systems weight/load gauge
- Bambi Bucket (fire suppression)
- Foam Injection Kit
- Wire Strike Protection Kit
⛽ Fuel & Ground Support
- Airframe-mounted Electric Remote Fuel Pump
- Drum fuelling capability (side locker)
- Forward fuelling from drums in field
🪟 Airframe Enhancements
- New front door windows (replaced)
- Large Dart floor observation window
- Belly mirrors (downward situational awareness)
- 12-year structural inspection completed approx 2 years ago
- NVFR lighting upgraded at 12-year
🧰 Safety & Emergency
- First Aid Kit (onboard)
- ELT — Artex ME406
- Wire Strike Protection Kit
- Fire Suppression (Bambi Bucket + Foam)
- ADSB Transponder
🔧 Operational Configuration
- Configured for aerial firefighting (ex-NSWRFS)
- Aerial agriculture & mustering capable
- Sling / external load operations (hook + gauge)
- Night operations (NVFR certified)
- Remote/outstation operations (drum pump)
Component Life Runout — Reference Date: 13 August 2026 | Total Hours: 16,988
● Good (>25% remaining)
● Monitor (10–25% remaining)
● Action Required (<10% or overdue)
| Component | Limit / Type | Remaining | % Life Left | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE — Lycoming LTS-101-600A-3A | ||||
| Engine Assembly | 1,800 hr OH | 545.6 hrs | 30.3% | Monitor |
| Power Turbine Module | 1,800 hr OH | 545.6 hrs | 30.3% | Monitor |
| Fuel Control Unit | 2,400 hr OH | OVERDUE 116.2 hrs | — | OVERDUE |
| Airflow Modulator | 2,400 hr OH | OVERDUE 83.5 hrs | — | OVERDUE |
| TRDS Bearings ×6 (replaced Sep 2023) | 60-month LL | 769 days remaining — due Sep 2028 | 43% | Good |
| LTS101 1,800hr Inspections ×3 | 1,800 hr | 545.6 hrs | 30.3% | Monitor |
| Engine Oil Pump | 2,400 hr OH | 262.7 hrs | 11.0% | Monitor |
| Overspeed Limiter | 1,400 hr OH | 145.6 hrs | 10.4% | Monitor |
| PT Governor | 2,400 hr OH | 1,274.4 hrs | 53.1% | Good |
| FDC Filter Element | 4,500 hr | 3,049.8 hrs | 67.8% | Good |
| Starter / Generator | 1,000 hr OH | 501.6 hrs | 50.2% | Good |
| MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM | ||||
| Starflex Star | 2,400 hr LL | 154.1 hrs | 6.4% | Action Required |
| Upper Sleeves ×3 | 6,600 hr LL | 2,582.7 hrs | 39.1% | Good |
| Lower Sleeves ×3 | 6,600 hr LL | 2,582.7 hrs | 39.1% | Good |
| MR Hub Bolts (Set A) | 3,000 hr LL | 2,501.6 hrs | 83.4% | Good |
| MR Hub Bolts (Set B) | 3,000 hr LL | 2,501.6 hrs | 83.4% | Good |
| Spherical Thrust Bearings ×3 | 6,400 hr LL | 4,336.1 hrs | 67.8% | Good |
| GEARBOXES & TRANSMISSION | ||||
| Main Gearbox (MGB) Assembly | 2,190 hr OH | 1,309 hrs | 59.8% | Good |
| Bevel Reduction Gearbox | 3,000 hr OH | 2,501.6 hrs | 83.4% | Good |
| Tail Rotor Gearbox | 3,000 hr OH | 2,501.6 hrs | 83.4% | Good |
| Hydraulic Pump Drive Bearing | 6-year LL | Due 11 Jun 2031 — 1,763 days remaining | 81.0% | Good |
| TAIL ROTOR & FLIGHT CONTROLS | ||||
| Tail Rotor Blades | 4,000 hr LL | 1,355.2 hrs | 33.9% | Good |
| Tail Rotor Servo (AC67032) | 1,800 hr OH | 190.2 hrs | 10.6% | Monitor |
| LH Cyclic Servo | 3,000 hr OH | 2,498.9 hrs | 83.3% | Good |
| RH Cyclic Servo | 3,000 hr OH | 2,498.9 hrs | 83.3% | Good |
| FWD Collective Servo | 3,000 hr OH | 2,498.9 hrs | 83.3% | Good |
| SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS & TIME-BASED ITEMS | ||||
| 600hr / 24-Month Inspection | 600 hr / 24M | Last completed ~Sep 2025 — next due ~Sep 2027 or ~17,400 hrs | ~85% | Good |
| ELT Battery — Artex ME406 | 3-year | OVERDUE by 503 days (expired 28 Mar 2025) | — | OVERDUE |
| Seat Belts | Life Limit | Status not listed in current runout — verify on inspection | — | Verify |
| Lead Acid Batteries ×2 | 2-year | OVERDUE by 360 days (expired 18 Aug 2025) | — | OVERDUE |
| TX Hose (704A34412009) | 3,650-day LL | 25 days remaining — due 07 Sep 2026 | 0.7% | Action Required |
| TX Hoses ×2 (704A34412041/42) | 3,650-day LL | 437 days remaining — due Oct 2027 | 12% | Monitor |
* Based on maintenance records dated 13 August 2026 at 16,988 total airframe hours. LL = Life Limit. OH = Overhaul limit. SB = Service Bulletin. Independent borescope and pre-purchase inspection recommended.
Photo Gallery
Key Highlights
Fresh 150-Hourly
Completed at time of listing. Aircraft in current maintenance status with fresh routine inspection signed off.
NVFR Equipped
Night VFR configured with upgraded NVFR lighting installed at the 12-year inspection approximately 2 years ago.
New Radios (2015)
All radios replaced in 2015: Simoco NPWS, Simoco RFS, Garmin 430W, Garmin 2nd COM — good remaining life on avionics.
12-Year Completed
Mandatory 12-year structural inspection completed approximately 2 years ago — major structural compliance resolved.
Engine: 40% Life Remaining
Engine assembly and PT module have 722.4 hrs remaining to OH. Gearboxes and servos largely at 89%+ life.
Full Fire-Fighting Package
Bambi Bucket, Foam Injection Kit, Simoco RFS/NPWS radios, Wire Strike Kit — ready for bushfire operations.
External Load Capable
Hook assembly with Onboard Systems load gauge. Belly mirrors and large Dart floor window for sling operations.
Remote Operations Ready
Airframe-mounted electric remote fuel pump for drum fuelling in the field — essential for remote Australian operations.
Type Specification — AS350 SD1
Powerplant
Lycoming LTS-101-600A-3A
Turboshaft — 650 shp (485 kW)
Main Rotor Diameter
10.69 m
35 ft 1 in — 3-blade semi-rigid
Max Speed (Vne)
155 kts
287 km/h / 178 mph
Cruise Speed
~125 kts
232 km/h typical
Range
~390 nm
720 km (no reserves)
Service Ceiling
16,000 ft
4,877 m
Hover OGE (ISA)
~9,800 ft
2,987 m
Max Gross Weight
2,250 kg
4,960 lb
Empty Weight (approx)
~1,244 kg
2,742 lb (config. dependent)
Max External Load
~1,000 kg
2,205 lb sling load
Fuel Capacity
540 litres
142 US gal
Seating
1 + 5
Pilot + 5 passengers