Alaska State Troopers
 

Anyone have any insight on what it takes to fly for the ASTs? I know they are primarily Float Pistons and bush flying, but does anyone know how long it takes to become a pilot there? Do you have to walk the beat for a few years? Or does an aviation background boost you up a little bit? Thanks!

WMU

I can't help you with Alaskan State Troopers WMU, but I have talked to a few California State Troopers (word of mouth) and I looked in the Oklahoma State Troopers (personal experience) oh so many years ago and both required a number of years on the ground before you could move into the aviation department no matter what your flying experience was. Much like the Marine Corps - you are a trooper first, then move into the air ;) FWIW, I had a friend who was hired (or in the last stages of being hired) with the DEA and he was going to have to spend some years on the ground first too. Seems to be the law enforcement way of doing things, but it would be fairly easy to call them (or a recruiter) and find out the details. We have some law enforcement pilot types hanging out here at APC. Hopefully someone will jump in with current info.
Good luck.

USMCFLYR

"you like bear mace icehead?" - Hall Monitor Cartman

I am also in THE final stage with the DEA so if anyone has any questions, let me know. I'm just waiting to hear their final verdict. Here's to hoping...

Were you being told the same things Bloodhound - about being on the ground for awhile befoe getting into the air? also - which office were you working through. My friend wa doing all of his stuff out of San Francisco.

USMCFLYR

I am also seeking to be a law enforcement pilot. Law Enforcement agencies dotn want pilots that want to be cops. They want cops that happen to be pilots.

In other words, they dont hire pilots off the steet to be pilots. They hire Troopers. You have to be a regular road Trooper. if it so happend that you are also a pilot and they have an opening, they will look to you. But from what I have seen people get in the aviation section and stay there til they retire. Its hard to find openings in the aviation sections of most LE aviation depts.

A few years ago I applied and was invited for an interview and to complete all the pre-req testing. I asked many questions about flying and being a trooper. I was lead to believe at first it would be no problem to get a flying gig. It was very much like a recruiter lying to my face.

I also asked when all the testing would be done a few months ahead of time, since they wouldn't have my exact schedule until a week or two in advance. I booked a trip for the entire duration they would be doing testing plus a couple extra days. A week before arriving, I find out i was scheduled for testing beyond my travel time. I called to rescheduled things and they blew me off, with a "nuthin we can do about it".

I then asked more questions about pilot minimums, and someone Finally says: "Just about every other trooper is a pilot and there is a huge waiting list to get a slot."

The minimum requirements for AST pilots is the same as commercial minimums.

So... 2 lies and I canceled the interview. Just enjoyed a vacation in Alaska.

Duty assignments and requests are based on seniority. You would most likely be assigned to Anchorage, Fairbanks, or (last one I forgot) for 2 years then sent of to the middle of nowhere.

The video promotions are pretty impressive. And even without a pilot slot, it looks like a cool gig (no pun intended).

(I hope I answered a question in there)

It was many moons ago, but when I was looking at the CHP that was definitely the deal. Woulda been a regular Trooper for who-knows-how-long until I was super-fortunate enough to get a flying slot.

I understand their view as it was explained to me. They need you to understand the business of law enforcement and what it is to do that job on the ground first so that you can be effective supporting those operations and tactics from the air. And, of course, they have many times more qualified people than slots.

I can only speak regarding DEA, but yes, a minimum of 2 years in the field is required AND a vacancy has to exist. I've got a neighbor who, until recently, was in "management" in the Air Wing and also have spoken on several occasions with a current Special Agent/Pilot who was formerly employed by a legacy airline. I've done my research and have gained a ton of insight into the operation. I may be wrong but I understand the FBI may have a "fast track," so to speak, to join their Air Wing. DEA doesn't have anything like that. If interested, you have to ready and willing to spend a long time on the streets, potentially never even making it to the Air Wing. Obviously, the more experience you have, the better. Their minimums are 500 TT and a commercial and there are a ton of SA's that apply with that. I was told of a guy who's goal was the Air Wing. He graduated from ERAU, was fortunate enough to get the SA job, and it took 15 years to get to the Air Wing. Other people, on the other hand, get the SA job, but are selected to the Air Wing after just 2 years because they have 5000TT, 3000 TPIC, and a Citation type. There's a lot of variables involved. Like I said, applicants shouldn't get too deep into it if they won't be happy as a SA on the street.

Like some one else mentioned, DEA likes their pilots to have a full understanding of the mission on the ground. You are a SA first, pilot second. From the applicant's point of view, that's an easy change in attitude. The obstacle may be convincing the recruiter/interviewer that you want to be a cop/SA. Personally, I've done this pilot deal for 10 years professionally, it doesn't define me - I'm ready to to be a SA first, and hopefully the rest will fall into place.

USMCFLYR, I applied through the Dallas Field Office. I applied in 9/08 and hope to hear in the next several weeks... hopefully.

I recentally started the AST app process and did some talking with the recruiter as well. Like others stated they do not hire straight into pilot slots. Infact they were very unimpressed with my flying experience from what I was gathering. They said Troopers are issued a C185 just like a highway patrol man is issued a Crown Vic in the lower 48. It all just depends on where you are assigned. Your first year of field training is done in Soldotna, Fairbanks, Palmer, or Bethal. After which point you could be forced to transfer to BFE for your next 2 years. Or you could get lucky and stay in your orginal field training location, but promotion would be much slower. After 5 years of senority, you can not be forced out of your post and into the Bush.
They are very few areas in AK that are accessable by road, which is the reason the AST uses boats, planes, ATVs and snowmobiles. You only receive a 3% pay override for being a qualified pilot. I dont know if the risk is worth the reward.

I would take 10 minutes and talk to a recruiter and see what you think.
Toll Free. 1-877-AK-TROOP (1-877-258-7667)