zondaracer

I was surfing on www.usajobs.gov and saw an aerial firefighting job advertised.

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob....&TabNum=1&rc=3

Job announcement number: 08-R5-R05FA-00108G
Or you can do a series search for pilot

Open until 19 of June 2008, looks like 1200hours at least to qualify, plus lowlevel time, night flying etc

flyinglow

That was really cool of you, I have applied to that postion, I was just wondering how long it takes to hear. I thought I had read something that took 60 days? I qualify with 2600 249 multi. My husband is on the ground crew as a firefighter he is up in redding at the moment.

zondaracer

I have no idea how long they take to get back to you. I just like to do searches and post things that I think help other people out. Other than what is posted there, I don't have any more information, sorry.

AviatorPop

Looks like an interesting flying gig

cdouglas162

Its the Forest Service, so it could take a VERY long time. That particular position at that location hasn't been filled for the last 2 fire seasons, so i doubt they are in a big hurry to fill it. Especially since fire season here in CA is well underway. This time of year is a tough time to find work in the tanker industry. All the planes are already out working for the season so the crews have been hired. The key to getting into this industry is getting to know the people so you have an in. It is a very close, small community. Good luck and keep knocking on the doors.

flyinglow

Thanks! I keep hoping. My husband said the same thing about the fire season
being under way.

flyinglow

I was kind of surprised to see an add outside of December for an airtanker (lead plane) post. But I had to give it a try. I need a CA base so it would
be relatively perfect fit.

cdouglas162

Just alittle background on the Lead position. It has not been filled since 2005 when the previous pilot retired. The add has been run a couple of times since and the position has never been filled (due to not having an airplane after retiring the Barons). Also, this position is based out of Lancaster, but you will spend alot of the fire season in Lancaster. You go where the fires go ....meaning anywhere in the U.S.. Where in CA are you from?? I fly for CAL FIRE and previously flew tankers on Forest Service contracts. The tanker industry is tough to crack into. Currently there are only 3 companies contracted by the Forest Service ( Aero Union - 8 P3s.....Neptune Inc - 11 Tunes.....Minden Air - 2 Tunes). The aircraft are a national resource so they are called to anywhere in the U.S. (including AK) that they are needed. So there are no homes bases. So the planes you see working here in CA today can be anywhere in the US tomorrow if called. So your life is on the road. You work 6 days a week with 1 day off, and you are gone all fire season. The majority of the contracts are between 180-200 days long. I have been gone away from home as much as 6 months at one time before. CAL FIRES state fleet is alittle different. We do have home bases and we never leave CA. However, competition is extremely competitive and it is very difficult to get a position. All the recent hires in the last 6 years flew heavies for the Forest Service. I hope this helps....if you have any questions feel free to ask.

flyinglow

CAL FIRES state fleet is alittle different. We do have home bases and we never leave CA.



Hello



I am from SBP, San Luis Obispo, I have been trying to build enough time for
firefighting since the day I started to fly. My husband happens to be a fire fighter so we understand about the traveling part. I was wondering from
what month to what month the season generally runs. Over the last couple of years it seems to be getting longer to me. My husband has been gone
the last 2 weeks so far on ground crew. By Cal Fire do you mean Cal state?
That is who my husband works for. At the moment I have 2800 total time
and 247 multi. I have been also learning how to fly jumpers out LPC in the caravan but need to build 25 hours in type for insurance.
Thanks for the info!

cdouglas162

CAL FIRE is a division of CDF (California Dept of Forestry). We are currently flying 23 S2T's (a turbine retrofit of the Grumman S2) and 14 North American OV10s. The S2Ts are 1200 gal tankers and the OV10s are operated as the air attack platform. This is a state fleet and is owned and operated only in the state of CA. There are 13 state tanker bases spread across the state. When it comes to getting a job it is very competitive. Alot has to do with the limited number of tanker jobs out there. The mins here require 850 hrs multi PIC, turbine time, and low level time. The last couple of hires have had between 4000-6000 total and between 1000-2000hrs of low level time (<500agl). Keep after it....Its a great job .....