USMCFLYR

Oh this is just to good not to share
I was at an FBO today and a couple of guys stopped to chat a little bit.
We shared some flying stories and then one of them turned away to walk inside and the back of his shirt read something affiliated with the USFS. I asked the older guy what they were doing there and he mentioned that they were working on many of the fires down in the TX and LA area. I just couldn't help but chuckle and decided to play a little of the Skyhigh game, so without telling him that there was this guy who insists that they are leading unproductive and unhappy lives, I mentioned instead that I understood that they spent a lot of time traveling and on-call. The answer was yes to both btw. I then asked some family oriented questions when the other guy walked back up to where we were standing. Believe it or not - - BOTH of these guys are leading PRODUCTIVE AND HAPPY LIVES complete with homes, cars, and yes.....even children. It is too bad that I didn't have more time to delve into their personal lives to try and find out why they would tell such blasphemous lies, but KMSY was waiting and we had to go

USMCFLYR

orbits2000

Oh Yeah-Good Healthy personally deep rooted heart felt dialogue. Very good stuff-Pretty much a fact that there's too many points to highlight that I'd remiss only mentioning a couple. One thing I will say is that after reading this great stuff,I'm more dedicated to 'scratching this itch' to learn to be as professional as I can be at this type of flying. As a wildland firefighter, while becoming a strong member of my crew(s), different assignments led me to be 'bitten' by the aviation bug pretty hard. From initially joining a 20 person hand crew up through rappelling from the Heli, I really believe I've got an innate connection with this type of work and the desire to good at this, I've got to go for it. I can't wait to read through all the previous posts again, awesome stuff. Thanks guys-I'm actually hoping for more!

Airhoss

I always find it highly amusing when Skyhigh lectures me on what a professional pilot is or should be.

Sky when you step back and look at the big picture it's really pretty hilarious when you lecture senior airlines pilots about how to be an airline pilot.

SONORA PASS

Great thread, with an opportunity to see how a sector of our profession is viewed from two completely different perspectives. Both sides are actually correct, and very helpful to the discussion. No barbs needed.

While I would most certainly fall into the side of loving the adventure flying that air-tanker, smoke jumper, and lead plane pilots offer, I totally respect Sky's assessment. For the record I did leave my job at one of those majors Sky mentioned by choice to take a shot at flying fires. After a disappointing set back last summer, I am still trying. Selecting "center autopilot to command" can provide a comfortable paycheck, nice layovers, and excellent schedule, but feel so empty inside for someone who is wired to live an adventure. Yet I know the points Sky has brought up are very valid concerns that need to be weight out carefully (esp. true for those with younger kids) when one is counting the true cost of "adventure flying".

I am absolutely certain Sky will not regret spending time with his kids, and staying true to his strong convictions. He can likely fly for the majors latter if he chooses, yet there is no pause or rewind button when it comes to time at home. It goes by too quickly. At the same time, I am equally sure there are many who are stuck on the wrong side of this career fence struggling everyday to live another pilot's dream.

Flying international lately has reminded me that when I see a beautiful sunset turn into darkness, someone a dozen time zones away is looking at the same thing as a sunrise on a new day. It all depends where you are as to how you will view it.

AirHoss, would love to hear your story sometime

SP

Airhoss

You might want to do a search on some of Mr. Skyhigh's previous posts. This is a man with an agenda.

USMCFLYR

Hoss -

I'm hearing them a lot this week all over TX.
I'm really missing even the comm.
"We're going tactical (freq).....we'll check back in later", or
"We're diving down to the fire now"
I love having a mission too.....but this is bringing back similar memories a little.

USMCFLYR

Cruz5350

Is there other places besides Bighorn that do this kind of work?

Airhoss

Yes but I don't know who currently has contracts.

Cruz5350

I hate to assume here, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say they want Pt. 135 mins?

Airhoss

USMC,

Aerial fire fighting is run pretty much just like any battle. In fact the OAS/USFS/BLM takes most if not all of their on scene procedures from the military. Our para cargo manual was a Vietnam era USAF para cargo training manual.

Kind of funny as they had non pilots administering the SOP's. When I first got it is was an exact copy of the Air Force manual with only the names changed. It included making evasive maneuvers and ground fire avoidance while in a drop pattern and after dropping your load. I asked what we were "evading" and who was shooting at us? I got a room full of blank stares.

They still have some left over military procedures in their drop manual like making level 60 deg bank turns either direction after a drop and keeping a drop pattern short and steep and that it should be completed in 2 minutes or less. The non flying brass in charge just can't let go of what they don't understand.

Sound Familiar?