Quote:
Originally Posted by cdouglas162
Just alittle background on the Lead position. It has not been filled since 2005 when the previous pilot retired. The add has been run a couple of times since and the position has never been filled (due to not having an airplane after retiring the Barons). Also, this position is based out of Lancaster, but you will spend alot of the fire season in Lancaster. You go where the fires go ....meaning anywhere in the U.S.. Where in CA are you from?? I fly for CAL FIRE and previously flew tankers on Forest Service contracts. The tanker industry is tough to crack into. Currently there are only 3 companies contracted by the Forest Service ( Aero Union - 8 P3s.....Neptune Inc - 11 Tunes.....Minden Air - 2 Tunes). The aircraft are a national resource so they are called to anywhere in the U.S. (including AK) that they are needed. So there are no homes bases. So the planes you see working here in CA today can be anywhere in the US tomorrow if called. So your life is on the road. You work 6 days a week with 1 day off, and you are gone all fire season. The majority of the contracts are between 180-200 days long. I have been gone away from home as much as 6 months at one time before. CAL FIRES state fleet is alittle different. We do have home bases and we never leave CA. However, competition is extremely competitive and it is very difficult to get a position. All the recent hires in the last 6 years flew heavies for the Forest Service. I hope this helps....if you have any questions feel free to ask.
CAL FIRES state fleet is alittle different. We do have home bases and we never leave CA.
Hello
I am from SBP, San Luis Obispo, I have been trying to build enough time for
firefighting since the day I started to fly. My husband happens to be a fire fighter so we understand about the traveling part. I was wondering from
what month to what month the season generally runs. Over the last couple of years it seems to be getting longer to me. My husband has been gone
the last 2 weeks so far on ground crew. By Cal Fire do you mean Cal state?
That is who my husband works for. At the moment I have 2800 total time
and 247 multi. I have been also learning how to fly jumpers out LPC in the caravan but need to build 25 hours in type for insurance.
Thanks for the info!