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 05-05-2020, 04:58 PM
  #81  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 16
Default

Originally Posted by Shaft34 View Post
I can't speak directly for our guys doing the hiring, but I know they are looking for pilots with a diverse flying background. Since we do fly non-centerline turboprops exclusively, I'd say that, yes you'll need some experience in a non-centerline aircraft even if the FAA has changed their tune. That being said, they tend to look at the whole person and their specific flying background, so there might be wiggle room in the definitions and what they'll accept.

We do have several former fighter guys and they have done well, but it's really about how their personality fits with our flying and work environment. Think of it as a benefit towards situational and tactical awareness, but nobody is going to get hired solely because of that background. Every one of our former fighter pilots have some other experience to bring to the table.

I know they value glider time and bush flying due to the need for good hand flying and energy management skills. Personally, the experiences that were the most beneficial to me have been my glider and U-2 time. We fly the tanker low and slow in steep terrain. Learning how to manage energy by loading the wing while slow is a key skill.
Thanks so much for the response. Really appreciate it. Makes sense.
ClaraLO is offline  
Old 05-12-2020, 04:12 PM
  #82  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 60
Default

Originally Posted by Shaft34 View Post
I can't speak directly for our guys doing the hiring, but I know they are looking for pilots with a diverse flying background. Since we do fly non-centerline turboprops exclusively, I'd say that, yes you'll need some experience in a non-centerline aircraft even if the FAA has changed their tune. That being said, they tend to look at the whole person and their specific flying background, so there might be wiggle room in the definitions and what they'll accept.

We do have several former fighter guys and they have done well, but it's really about how their personality fits with our flying and work environment. Think of it as a benefit towards situational and tactical awareness, but nobody is going to get hired solely because of that background. Every one of our former fighter pilots have some other experience to bring to the table.

I know they value glider time and bush flying due to the need for good hand flying and energy management skills. Personally, the experiences that were the most beneficial to me have been my glider and U-2 time. We fly the tanker low and slow in steep terrain. Learning how to manage energy by loading the wing while slow is a key skill.

This really, really piqued my interest.

I just upgraded at my regional (last class to do so because virus) and I don’t hate it but I know it doesn’t suit me.

I have over 800 hours in tailweel, commercial glider pilot and former CFI-G with bush pilot experience in Alaska. Born and raised in California.

Have there been an increase in applications and hiring now that so many normal flying jobs have furloughed?

Is there a “hiring season” or is it year round?

What is starting pay like after taxes? I know California taxes are pretty heavy.

Fly safe.
MedSledDriver is offline  
Old 09-15-2020, 08:51 AM
  #83  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 137
Default

Do you guys think a Dash-8-100/200 could be modified to be an air tanker?
KA350Driver is offline  
Old 09-15-2020, 10:44 AM
  #84  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 506
Default

Originally Posted by KA350Driver View Post
Do you guys think a Dash-8-100/200 could be modified to be an air tanker?
There is already a Q400 tanker.
kaputt is offline  
Old 09-15-2020, 11:54 AM
  #85  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 137
Default

Yeah I’ve seen that one. Is there any reason you wouldn’t want to use a 100/200? Is it big enough to carry a useful load economically? Is there enough ground clearance for the necessary mods?
KA350Driver is offline  
Old 09-15-2020, 07:40 PM
  #86  
Gets Weekends Off
 
aeroengineer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2016
Posts: 324
Default

Originally Posted by KA350Driver View Post
Yeah I’ve seen that one. Is there any reason you wouldn’t want to use a 100/200? Is it big enough to carry a useful load economically? Is there enough ground clearance for the necessary mods?
Possibly the capacity of the landing gear? Seems like going from boxes or pax to a big fluid load would be an engineering nightmare if not designed for originally.
aeroengineer is offline  
Old 09-26-2020, 07:18 AM
  #87  
New Hire
 
Joined APC: Jul 2019
Posts: 5
Default

Hi, I am hoping to gain some information on Air Attack/SEAT flying as well. I want to explore this as a career option, but want to understand the realities considering my current circumstances. I am 36 years old and married with 2 kids. I have about 3000 hours of total time with 2300 of those hours in Air Tractor 502 and 602 models as an aerial applicator. I hold a commercial pilot in airplane single engine land/ rotorcraft-helicopter with an instrument rating in both. Although I do need some re-current training. I am currently not flying full time as a career. The ag flying become slow in our area due to changes in farming practices. i.e. ground rigs. I am currently working my plan B, which is as a project manager in the construction industry. I am able to do well supporting my family in this position, but it is not where I want to be in the long run. Any information would be appreciated.
Salt35 is offline  
Old 09-30-2020, 07:15 PM
  #88  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: pilot
Posts: 584
Default

Originally Posted by Salt35 View Post
Hi, I am hoping to gain some information on Air Attack/SEAT flying as well. I want to explore this as a career option, but want to understand the realities considering my current circumstances. I am 36 years old and married with 2 kids. I have about 3000 hours of total time with 2300 of those hours in Air Tractor 502 and 602 models as an aerial applicator. I hold a commercial pilot in airplane single engine land/ rotorcraft-helicopter with an instrument rating in both. Although I do need some re-current training. I am currently not flying full time as a career. The ag flying become slow in our area due to changes in farming practices. i.e. ground rigs. I am currently working my plan B, which is as a project manager in the construction industry. I am able to do well supporting my family in this position, but it is not where I want to be in the long run. Any information would be appreciated.
when I was looking into fire work most of them wanted some 802 time. Although it wasn’t a requirement. I would recommend just calling around to the operators and see what they say. You can also figure on having to work state contracts or call when needed until you get enough drops and are signed off to be primary on a dedicated contract. I also found the pay to be potentially more variable than spraying.

any reason you can’t go on the road for a spray seat?


just my impressions from looking into the job. I never did pull the trigger and transition from Ag.
rdneckpilot is offline  
Old 10-06-2020, 06:15 AM
  #89  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 115
Default

Originally Posted by rdneckpilot View Post
when I was looking into fire work most of them wanted some 802 time. Although it wasn’t a requirement. I would recommend just calling around to the operators and see what they say. You can also figure on having to work state contracts or call when needed until you get enough drops and are signed off to be primary on a dedicated contract. I also found the pay to be potentially more variable than spraying.

any reason you can’t go on the road for a spray seat?


just my impressions from looking into the job. I never did pull the trigger and transition from Ag.
Could he also look into Helitack since he’s dual rated? But he may not want to travel with 2 small kids at home. I got one and I wouldn’t want to leave for more than a few days.
geosync is offline  
Old 10-12-2020, 12:43 AM
  #90  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: pilot
Posts: 584
Default

Originally Posted by geosync View Post
Could he also look into Helitack since he’s dual rated? But he may not want to travel with 2 small kids at home. I got one and I wouldn’t want to leave for more than a few days.
no idea what the requirements are for rotard fire jobs.

Regarding time away from home ... well that’s a tough nut to crack in this business. Sounds like you figured it out.
rdneckpilot 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