Verified Nov 2026
Thermal & Fluid Systems
·
Port Alberni, British Columbia
·
Since 1960
Coulson Aviation is a Canadian aviation company headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia, founded in 1960. It employs an estimated 500 to 1,000 people, with estimated annual revenue of $50 to $100 million, and is privately held. The company operates aerial firefighting and heavy-lift services for government agencies and private organizations, serving the aviation, emergency response, and defense sectors. In August 2026, it announced it had acquired 10 former RCAF Hercules aircraft, doubling its C-130H fleet.
Coulson Aviation at a glance
Revenue
$50-100M
Est. band
Employees
500-1,000
Founded
1960
Headquarters
Port Alberni, British Columbia
Certifications
AS9100 · ISO 9001
Import activity
107
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Construction
Medical
Military & Defense
Industrial Equipment
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
107
Named foreign suppliers
34
Top origins
Australia · China · Canada · Chile
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Coulson Aviation.
What this tells a buyer
Coulson Aviation's most recent reported development is the August 2026 acquisition of 10 former RCAF Hercules aircraft, which the company said doubled its C-130H fleet.
The company is AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified and lists thermal and fluid systems as its primary capability, serving automotive, medical, military-defense, and industrial equipment sectors.
Coulson Aviation has operated for more than 60 years and reports over 160,000 flight hours, and it announced in August 2026 that one of its large airtankers became the first under contract to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & active
66 years in operation (founded 1960).
Holds AS9100, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Coulson Aviation is a Canadian aviation company headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia, founded in 1960. It employs an estimated 500 to 1,000 people, with estimated annual revenue of $50 to $100 million, and is privately held. The company operates aerial firefighting and heavy-lift services for government agencies and private organizations, serving the aviation, emergency response, and defense sectors. In August 2026, it announced it had acquired 10 former RCAF Hercules aircraft, doubling its C-130H fleet.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1960 |
Headquarters | Port Alberni, British Columbia |
Employees | 500-1,000 |
Revenue | $50-100M (estimated) |
Primary capability | Thermal & Fluid Systems |
Certifications | AS9100 · ISO 9001 |
What Coulson Aviation makes
The company is AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified and lists thermal and fluid systems as its primary capability, serving automotive, medical, military-defense, and industrial equipment sectors.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include LED, Sheet Metal, Welding, Assembly, Aluminum, Steel, Brake (source: coulsonaviation.com).
Certifications
Coulson Aviation is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
AS9100 — coulsonaviation.com
ISO 9001 — coulsonaviation.com
Trade and customs footprint
Coulson Aviation's most recent reported development is the August 2026 acquisition of 10 former RCAF Hercules aircraft, which the company said doubled its C-130H fleet. US customs bill-of-lading records list 107 inbound shipments across 34 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Australia · China · Canada · Chile.
Latest developments
2026-09-10 — Coulson Aviation Defines the Next Chapter of Innovation with EmberWorks - Coulson Aviation (coulsonaviation.com)
2026-08-07 — Coulson Aviation Canada Acquires 10 Former RCAF Hercules, Doubling C-130H Fleet - Coulson Aviation (coulsonaviation.com)
2026-08-04 — Coulson Aviation’s Tanker 138 Becomes First Large Airtanker Under Contract to U.S. Wildland Fire Service - Coulson Aviation (coulsonaviation.com)
2026-06-01 — Coulson Aviation expands in the Asia-Pacific | EDC (edc.ca)
2025-12-22 — Coulson Aviation Announces Launch of Boeing 767 VLAT Program - Coulson Aviation (coulsonaviation.com)
2025-08-14 — Coulson Aviation USA Acquires Citation 550 Aircraft Fleet from Canadian Government, Expanding Global Leadership in Aerial Supervision - Coulson Aviation (coulsonaviation.com)
Company details
Coulson Aviation has operated for more than 60 years and reports over 160,000 flight hours, and it announced in August 2026 that one of its large airtankers became the first under contract to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Coulson Aviation was founded in 1960, has an estimated 500-1,000 employees, and is headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & active": 66 years in operation (founded 1960). Holds AS9100, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Coulson Aviation make?
Coulson Aviation is a Canadian aviation company headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia, founded in 1960. It employs an estimated 500 to 1,000 people, with estimated annual revenue of $50 to $100 million, and is privately held. The company operates aerial firefighting and heavy-lift services for government agencies and private organizations, serving the aviation, emergency response, and defense sectors. In August 2026, it announced it had acquired 10 former RCAF Hercules aircraft, doubling its C-130H fleet.
Where is Coulson Aviation headquartered?
Coulson Aviation is headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia (4890 Cherry Creek Rd, Port Alberni, British Columbia, V9Y 8E9).
When was Coulson Aviation founded?
Coulson Aviation was founded in 1960.
How big is Coulson Aviation?
Coulson Aviation has an estimated 500-1,000 employees, with revenue in the $50-100M range (estimated).
What certifications does Coulson Aviation hold?
Coulson Aviation lists AS9100 · ISO 9001 on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
Does Coulson Aviation import from overseas suppliers?
US customs bill-of-lading records show 107 inbound shipments for Coulson Aviation, with top origins including Australia · China · Canada · Chile.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
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