Trusted Partner Since 1963
As owner and operator of a diverse fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, we provide solutions to government agencies that enhance their emergency response capacity. Our aerial firefighting fleet, one of the largest in the nation, is contracted by agencies for wildfire response. The aircraft we distribute can be offered to agencies for contract or sale, providing multi role capability year-round.
National Leader
We have offered reliable services and a depth of resources for over half a century, supporting wildfire response across the US. Our modern fleet is outfitted with advanced technologies, and we train pilots with state-of-the-art aerial firefighting simulators, helping to improve mission outcomes. We are a flexible partner, creating solutions tailored to each agency’s needs, filling gaps and building capacity to fit each operating environment.
Six Decades of Support
Texas
Present
Oklahoma
Present
Kansas
Present
Nebraska
Present
South Dakota
Present
North Dakota
Present
New Mexico
Present
Colorado
Present
Wyoming
Present
Montana
Present
Arizona
Present
Utah
Present
Idaho
Present
Washington
Present
Oregon
Present
California
Present
Alaska
Present
North Carolina
Present
Minnesota
Present
Florida
Present
Our Values
Individually and collectively, everything we do is driven by four fundamental values. In addition to our core values, we strive to make every day safer through continuous improvement, proactive risk management, and a positive, accountable safety culture.
We support each other
We continuously refine our safety practices
We strive to improve our service to our agency partners
We are accountable for our performance and our commitments
Leadership Team
Our Roots
The history of aerial firefighting isn't told through timelines of dates, drops, tanker types and tail numbers. It's told through its people: the dedicated teams who have devoted their lives to protecting communities from wildfire, often at great personal sacrifice. As pioneers of the aerial firefighting industry in the US, Aero-Flite's people stood with each other, their agency partners, and fellow emergency responders for 60 years, cemented together by the same goal and the same values, always prepared to do the right thing.
Airtanker pilots and brothers Ray and John opened Elgin Flying Service in Cody, Wyoming in 1963, flying a B-17 and fighting fires in support of the US Government. In 1986, Matt and Judy Ziomek purchased the company, continuing as a family-run operation, expanding the fleet with three DC-4s and three 215s, plus maintaining Minnesota's two 215s, and moving the team from Cody to Kingman, Arizona. Over the years the fleet was upgraded to four newer-model 415s and the RJ85 large airtanker was introduced, with the company modernizing and diversifying the fleet and moving to Spokane, Washington to accommodate growth. By 2024, responding to agency need, the fleet had grown to include six RJ85s plus three Dash 8-400ATs, establishing a second hangar in Chico, California, with pilot training expanding to include true-to-life on-wing exercises and specialized simulator platforms. Through consistent and controlled growth, the fleet continues to expand to support states across the US, protecting communities and resources from future wildfires.
