Air Attack/Air Tankers/SEAT/Fire Boss
#121
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 273
Carding minimum are 135 minimums, plus mountain experience. As noted above, competitive or market minimums may not be the same, but to get carded by the office of aircraft services/management, it amounts to 135 IfR minimums.
Bighorn was also recently looking for an Air Tractor pilot, but for spraying, as they don't do SEAT work.
Bighorn was also recently looking for an Air Tractor pilot, but for spraying, as they don't do SEAT work.
#123
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
While there are no initial attack requirements nor qualifications for smoke jumper pilots, carding for smoke jumping is a separate qualification and a pilot must meet the flight time, training, and experience requirements, and time in type, to obtain an OAS/OAM card.
Prior fire experience is helpful for understanding the fire environment, fire communications, the fire traffic area, etc.
Having a prior OAS/OAM card from an unrelated field doesn't necessarily make one more marketable, however, as it has nothing to do with firefighting.
If one is coming from another area of fire, such as air attack or tankers, then moving to a smoke jumper position will pay less, so having an initial attack (IA) qualification over fires wouldn't necessarily be a qualification one would seek before moving to flying jumpers. If one is qualified for initial attack, one would most likely be flying a tanker.
Getting carded for jumpers isn't difficult; one must be qualified, and the card is a checkride with a checked box on the back of the card and a notation. Any pilot who meets the qualifications, undergoes the training, and meets the standard will get carded, so coming from an unrelated field with an existing card isn't necessarily a benefit. It certainly doesn't hurt to mention, however, and if you're coming from a background in which you're familiar with working under a contract, it may be good experience all the same. Time in type would be more useful, however, as would be experience with jumpers, and of course time over fires. Useful, but not necessary.
Prior fire experience is helpful for understanding the fire environment, fire communications, the fire traffic area, etc.
Having a prior OAS/OAM card from an unrelated field doesn't necessarily make one more marketable, however, as it has nothing to do with firefighting.
If one is coming from another area of fire, such as air attack or tankers, then moving to a smoke jumper position will pay less, so having an initial attack (IA) qualification over fires wouldn't necessarily be a qualification one would seek before moving to flying jumpers. If one is qualified for initial attack, one would most likely be flying a tanker.
Getting carded for jumpers isn't difficult; one must be qualified, and the card is a checkride with a checked box on the back of the card and a notation. Any pilot who meets the qualifications, undergoes the training, and meets the standard will get carded, so coming from an unrelated field with an existing card isn't necessarily a benefit. It certainly doesn't hurt to mention, however, and if you're coming from a background in which you're familiar with working under a contract, it may be good experience all the same. Time in type would be more useful, however, as would be experience with jumpers, and of course time over fires. Useful, but not necessary.
#124
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: AC90 Left
Posts: 114
2022 openings
https://courtneyaviation.com/experie...tack-services/
https://www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/39637?lang=en-us
https://www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/39637?lang=en-us
Last edited by pnwchief22; 02-24-2022 at 05:56 PM. Reason: Added Link
#125
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: AC90 Left
Posts: 114
Erickson 2022
#126
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
Airborne Flying Service (Hot Springs, AR) was looking for an air attack pilot in a Cessna 340. They do ambulance work, etc. Air Ambulance | 1-855-227-3359 | Medical Flight Transport Services
Dynamic Aviation, also looking for air attack pilots: https://us61e2.dayforcehcm.com/Candi...ting/View/2557
Aero Air maintains a job announcement for MD-87 captains and first officers: https://aeroair.applicantpro.com/jobs/1312325.html
Aeroflite is advertising an RJ85 captain position. https://us61e2.dayforcehcm.com/Candi...sting/View/175
Dynamic Aviation, also looking for air attack pilots: https://us61e2.dayforcehcm.com/Candi...ting/View/2557
Aero Air maintains a job announcement for MD-87 captains and first officers: https://aeroair.applicantpro.com/jobs/1312325.html
Aeroflite is advertising an RJ85 captain position. https://us61e2.dayforcehcm.com/Candi...sting/View/175
#127
On Reserve
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 14
The information John Burke and a few others have posted since the start of this thread many years ago is still valid. It helped me.
Just FYI, some contract companies have been implementing different schedules to help QOL. This varies wildly from company to company, with the typical 12 on 2 off still the norm at most contractors.
Have seen: 3 weeks on/off, 12 days on/off, 11 on 3 off. Ymmv.
Getting in the business and getting experience is what it takes. There are no short cuts. Does it help to know people? Of course, but you get to know people while you are gaining experience in fire. You get to show people whether your dedicated to the mission or just hanging out until something else comes along. It shows.
Also, the forest service has a 40%+ pilot raise going through approval process. So, if you were once interested in a government position, maybe look again as they are trying to get more competitive.
Starting season 3 in fire. The opportunities are there, most of the companies are mentioned in this thread.
Just FYI, some contract companies have been implementing different schedules to help QOL. This varies wildly from company to company, with the typical 12 on 2 off still the norm at most contractors.
Have seen: 3 weeks on/off, 12 days on/off, 11 on 3 off. Ymmv.
Getting in the business and getting experience is what it takes. There are no short cuts. Does it help to know people? Of course, but you get to know people while you are gaining experience in fire. You get to show people whether your dedicated to the mission or just hanging out until something else comes along. It shows.
Also, the forest service has a 40%+ pilot raise going through approval process. So, if you were once interested in a government position, maybe look again as they are trying to get more competitive.
Starting season 3 in fire. The opportunities are there, most of the companies are mentioned in this thread.
#128
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
Big Horn Airways in Sheridan, Wyoming is hiring for smoke jumper pilots again this year, in both the Dornier 228, and the Casa 212. They also have off-season freight work available during the Christmas peak.
https://www.bighornairways.com/employment-opportunities
They are also hiring a charter pilot for the King Air and Citation, as well as ag pilots for the Air Tractors and the Jet Ranger.
First Officer positions are also available, 90-120 day contracts, 12 days on/2 off (typical fire season).
https://www.bighornairways.com/employment-opportunities
They are also hiring a charter pilot for the King Air and Citation, as well as ag pilots for the Air Tractors and the Jet Ranger.
First Officer positions are also available, 90-120 day contracts, 12 days on/2 off (typical fire season).
#129
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: single-pilot multi turbine captain
Posts: 240
NorCal Aero
NorCal Aero is adding a third 690, offering min guarantee $9k/mo for 6 mos. $650/day plus $20/fly hr. Bases Stead, Truckee, Auburn. If you have part 135 IFR mins and twin turbine experience, get hold of Eric Mueller: ericmueller2016 at g mail
#130
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: AC90 Left
Posts: 114
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