Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Part 91 and Low Time
Air Attack/Air Tankers/SEAT/Fire Boss >

Air Attack/Air Tankers/SEAT/Fire Boss

Notices
Part 91 and Low Time Jump pilots, crop dusting, and other Part 91 jobs

Air Attack/Air Tankers/SEAT/Fire Boss

Old 11-19-2019, 09:13 PM
  #61  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Oct 2019
Posts: 46
Default

Bump.

Looking to get info on pilots currently working in industry.

Thanks
Prop LT is offline  
Old 11-20-2019, 06:38 AM
  #62  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
Default

I'm wrapping up a season flying an air attack contract with USFS; what would you like to know?
JohnBoote is offline  
Old 12-25-2019, 10:34 PM
  #63  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 506
Default

Do all of the Forest Service pilot jobs (actual GS positions, not contractor) require firefighting experience to get hired?

I haven’t seen a GS-09 to GS-11 (entry level, 1200hrs) position open in awhile, so I can’t remember if those required fire fighting experience? I see that the current GS-13 position thats open(not entry level) requires 90 days of wild land fire fighting experience or aerial fire fighting experience.

TLDR, just wanting to know if the entry level USFS pilot jobs require the 90 days of fire fighting experience?
kaputt is offline  
Old 12-26-2019, 08:21 AM
  #64  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 99
Default

Was told at a career fair years ago(+10) that the requirement was placed there to keep people from bailing to the airlines...... essentially they would only hire pilots that proved that that wanted a career in fire aviation by getting the 90 days of on the line fire experience. It appears that this is still the case with these USDA jobs. Other option is to fly with one of the federal contractors...... To get your "90" days experience.
cashewchop is offline  
Old 12-26-2019, 09:00 AM
  #65  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 506
Default

Originally Posted by cashewchop View Post
Was told at a career fair years ago(+10) that the requirement was placed there to keep people from bailing to the airlines...... essentially they would only hire pilots that proved that that wanted a career in fire aviation by getting the 90 days of on the line fire experience. It appears that this is still the case with these USDA jobs. Other option is to fly with one of the federal contractors...... To get your "90" days experience.
Appreciate the response, certainly makes sense. It’s obviously still true for their GS13 positions. Although one would think today that with their hiring mins being near or even above regional mins, the fear of someone jumping to the airlines would be less today.

However, I just ran across a copy of the recent posting for the Ely, MN opening (now closed) and saw that it did not have the 90 day requirement. Due to that, I’d still be curious if anyone knows if the entry level positions in places like Redmond, Missoula, Boise, and Ogden still require that 90 day experience?
kaputt is offline  
Old 12-26-2019, 11:14 AM
  #66  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 99
Default

Gs12 posted for Colorado still says 90 days required. I believe that is only pc12 flying night perimeter recon mapping......
cashewchop is offline  
Old 12-26-2019, 05:38 PM
  #67  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Jul 2019
Posts: 10
Default

While we're on the topic...anyone familiar with the USFS lead pilot's typical schedule on the off season? I have some aerial firefighting experience and am interested in possibly making the switch from the airlines, but would prefer the GOV vs. contractors ...TIA
HerkReynolds is offline  
Old 12-27-2019, 03:05 PM
  #68  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 506
Default

Originally Posted by cashewchop View Post
Gs12 posted for Colorado still says 90 days required. I believe that is only pc12 flying night perimeter recon mapping......
I saw that one. I actually think it’s a management position and non flying.
kaputt is offline  
Old 01-04-2020, 04:13 PM
  #69  
New Hire
 
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: BE20
Posts: 6
Default

The hiring minimums are set by OPM and are the same across the board for civilian government pilots. Higher GS pay typically brings with it additional experience requirements, but not necessarily hours required. Outside of former wild land firefighters, the 90 day requirement is usually satisfied in the air as a contractor; air attack pilots and in some cases tanker pilots. That requirement still exists - kind of. Each FS region currently has direct hiring authority for aviation positions, so if you meet the OPM minimums you are potentially eligible for the job and can possibly avoid the traditional (very long, complicated) hiring process.
N6937N is offline  
Old 01-04-2020, 04:17 PM
  #70  
New Hire
 
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: BE20
Posts: 6
Default

Also, lead pilots work a 12 on, 2 off schedule during fire season (typically May through October), and are on the road for at least those 12 days. Depending on where the airplanes are needed you may or may not get home for the two days ‘off.’ During the off season it is a government job, so expect 40 hours a week in a cubicle.
N6937N is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1st Supersonic
Atlas/Polar
20384
03-20-2024 10:15 PM
321SeeYa
Career Questions
14
03-18-2014 04:04 PM
jeff122670
Hangar Talk
9
05-01-2013 07:14 PM
RockBottom
Major
0
04-29-2005 07:34 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices