PZL-Swidnik’s W-3A Sokol helicopter received its type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) last month. The company initiated the procedure, it said, because several European operators are using the 14,000-pound mtow, twin-engine helicopter for firefighting. Sokols are currently flying firefighting missions in Spain, Portugal and Italy. For such operations, the helicopter can carry either a model 3542 Bambi bucket or be equipped with an externally mounted belly water tank, both carrying 396 gallons.