SE Air Tankers
09-16-2014, 09:27 PM
#2
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,995
That really depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is the employer, the location, the type of contract, etc.
The pay is good for flying single engine aircraft. The odds of getting such a position unless one has solid ag/conventional gear experience isn't high, however, and there isn't a lot of turnover.
This last year, the government put out solicitations for just over 30 exclusive use national contracts, out of nearly 60 SEAT's nation wide. The national seat contracts are 100 day contracts, and all the other aircraft are "on call," which means they have no guarantees about when and where they'll work.
Pay is for daily availability (9 hours a day), plus an hourly rate per flight hour, plus a small amount per hour over 9 (up to fourteen), plus per diem. The pay disparity between one operator and another can be significant.
A good season should see six figures in pay.
The 2014 season was not a good season, the slowest since 2004.
The pay is good for flying single engine aircraft. The odds of getting such a position unless one has solid ag/conventional gear experience isn't high, however, and there isn't a lot of turnover.
This last year, the government put out solicitations for just over 30 exclusive use national contracts, out of nearly 60 SEAT's nation wide. The national seat contracts are 100 day contracts, and all the other aircraft are "on call," which means they have no guarantees about when and where they'll work.
Pay is for daily availability (9 hours a day), plus an hourly rate per flight hour, plus a small amount per hour over 9 (up to fourteen), plus per diem. The pay disparity between one operator and another can be significant.
A good season should see six figures in pay.
The 2014 season was not a good season, the slowest since 2004.
09-21-2014, 11:27 PM
#4
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,995
Western Pilot Service, New Frontier Aviation, M&M Flying Service, Aerotech, and Queen Bee are the primary operators. There are a few others that fly one, two, or three airplanes
Minimums are for carding, not hiring, but don't reflect numbers typically hired. 5,000 to 12,000 hours would be typical minimum experience, most of which is in conventional gear ag type aircraft. Most operators want to see 802 experience.
Minimum carding requirement is 1500 hrs total, 1200 hours airplane, 200 hours category/class, 200 hours mountainous terrain, 25 hours make and model (5 hours last 12 months), 100 hours airplanes last 12 months, 10 hours airplanes last 60 days. Several online courses are required, as well as annual training seminars, as well as attendance at the SEAT academy.
Insurance for a qualified pilot runs up to sixty grand for the season.
A lot of the pilots flying SEATs have considerable ag and 802 experience; many of them have done turns for the Department of State in the same type, etc.
Minimums are for carding, not hiring, but don't reflect numbers typically hired. 5,000 to 12,000 hours would be typical minimum experience, most of which is in conventional gear ag type aircraft. Most operators want to see 802 experience.
Minimum carding requirement is 1500 hrs total, 1200 hours airplane, 200 hours category/class, 200 hours mountainous terrain, 25 hours make and model (5 hours last 12 months), 100 hours airplanes last 12 months, 10 hours airplanes last 60 days. Several online courses are required, as well as annual training seminars, as well as attendance at the SEAT academy.
Insurance for a qualified pilot runs up to sixty grand for the season.
A lot of the pilots flying SEATs have considerable ag and 802 experience; many of them have done turns for the Department of State in the same type, etc.
09-22-2014, 10:08 AM
#5
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,995
The other operators, in case wanted, are Colombia Basin, Evergreen, Aerial Timber Applicators, Minuteman Aerial, AeroSpray, Henry's Aerial Service, Fletcher Flying Service, and GB Aerial.
Evergreen would actually be considered among the first group I mentioned in the previous post, they they have very low turnover; a position comes open every ten years or so, and most of their people have been there a lot longer. That's typical of many operators, where the pilots return every season.
Evergreen would actually be considered among the first group I mentioned in the previous post, they they have very low turnover; a position comes open every ten years or so, and most of their people have been there a lot longer. That's typical of many operators, where the pilots return every season.
09-22-2014, 10:57 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Posts: 145
Fire Aviation | News about aerial firefighting, air tankers, and helicopters has a "links" section with plenty of great resources as well.
09-22-2014, 03:41 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 204
Wow that's really useful info, thanks. You just saved me hours of research. I'm at 1900TT, currently doing pipeline/oil well patrol in tailwheel aircraft. Have a good chunk of mountain time already and thinking about trying to get into Ag next summer as a segue into air tankers.
09-22-2014, 11:04 PM
#8
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,995
Originally Posted by mtbthis
Fire Aviation | News about aerial firefighting, air tankers, and helicopters has a "links" section with plenty of great resources as well.
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