kaputt

While we are on the subject, does anyone have any info on requirements for the US Forest Service pilot jobs? Specifically the Smoke Jumper and Lead Plane pilots.

Right now there are no postings on USA Jobs, but a month or so ago they had a couple jobs advertised for the Redding, CA and Redmond, OR bases.

The posted mins were pretty much Part 135 PIC mins, but I'm really trying to find out what is actually competitive and what they might like to see on a resume.

I did a little research when those jobs were posted and it looks like they fly King Airs, Shorts, and some new Kodiaks from those two bases.

pnwchief22

Fire contractor with openings posted as of 1/2019

Link..

https://apply.hrmdirect.com/resumedi...=TopLevel&id=0

JohnBurke

Erikson's pilot positions are for rotor wing.

Erikson's fixed wing positions are primarily overseas work. Do you like Africa?

The OV10 and S2T positions sound relaxed and kick-back in that post. It doesn't really match the reality.

The last few years I've been working alongside them in California on fires, and there were often times when I'd be standing by at the tanker base waiting for a dispatch, when the S2's and OV10's were running constantly.

California is notorious for false alarms; using run-cards that autodispatch certain resources under certain conditions, ever time a smoke report comes in or a call is received, those resources automatically get the dispatch. It's not uncommon to have nine out of ten launches be a false alarm, but one may be taxiing when cancelled, or airborne enroute to the fire. I spent a lot more time sitting waiting than they did, but many of the bases were constantly going back in the air and getting cancelled.

Do you like the idea of flying into a mountainous area in instrument conditions, low visibility, high winds, moderate, severe, or greater turbulence, up to 50 other aircraft arriving and departing and working, loaded to gross wing windshear and downdrafts, working inside and at the bottom of canyons, doing formation flight with dissimilar aircraft, no radar control, while the world explodes around you?

Then apply.

Be aware that despite all the hollywood drama, the industry loses more people to boredom than anything else.

Also be aware that a lot of those who start don't stay, or wash out. The CDF/CalFire jobs are among the most difficult to get in the industry.

JohnBurke

I received a message asking about the application path for CDF positions; CalFire is a government organization, but the pilots and mechanics are provided by DynCorp International.

It's GOCO: government owned, contractor operated.

https://dyncorp.taleo.net/careersect...JIi!1477720452

Shaft34

The info Kaputt posted should help answer most of those questions.

CalFire pilots are generally assigned a base for a season and don’t really travel away from base too much. So, you might be gone 4-8 months from home if you’re not living where your based. Duty days vary with the change in sunset. Typical start time is 1000 until cutoff, which is 30 min before sunset. Early call or flying after sunset will extend those hours. A day can either be really boring or extremely busy. Like John said, lots of dispatches are cancelled, so it keeps you on your toes. A busy day in the tanker could be 20+ drops, which means 20+ takeoffs and landings and a few fuel cycles. It’s fatiguing, so you learn to pace yourself a bit. Once you get the rhythm down, it’s more manageable.

I’m starting my third year with DynCorp and really close to finishing training on the S-2. I wanted to fly tankers since I was a kid, so I’ve always been interested and love the work. But, like John said, it’s not for everyone.

I think now is as a good a time as ever to get on with CalFire, as we are expanding a bit and losing pilots to retirement at the same time. The best way is to visit an Air Attack Base during the season and see how things are run. Get a feel for the lifestyle and see how you might fit in.

OtherGuy

How long is the season running these days? I heard a rumor last year they were thinking 365 ops.

Shaft34

It’s 5 months to year round...just depends on your base. Ramona and Hemet are the year round bases, should be transitioning to a new 12/6 schedule. From there it’s about 8 months and shorter as you go north. A lot of places extended a month or so this year due to the Camp fire and general weather conditions.

Hemet/Ramona are relatively senior right now, but the Central area is going more junior (Porterville, etc). Lots of movement and changes right now, so it’s hard to really predict much.

OtherGuy

Thanks for the info!

Islandbird

Is there someone here work for Aeroflte out of Spokane, WA? If so can you provide some insight about the company's pilot pay scale for both Avro RJ and CL-415, lifestyle, training, hiring, etc. Thank you very much.

sf340b

https://neptuneaviation.com/

Seems like I saw an ad for Neptune hiring a short while back.