What type of training/schooling would i need to fly an aerial tanker for forest and wildland fires?

Question

I am currently in progress of getting my private pilots licence and have always like bening in the fire service. Were would i need to go to get propper schooling or what certificates would i need to get, to fly one of the aerial tankers in forest and wildland fires

Answer 1

There is a Forest Service tanker base in Hemet, Ca. I've seen these tankers dive to within a couple hundred feet of a busy rush hour freeway and drop their load literally a stones throw away from the free way. They have serious skills. They also employ Spotter Planes, which are the single engine high winged type that act as scouts, no payload.

Answer 2

All fire bomber pilots are ex-military.  Go through ROTC and become a commissioned flight officer in the USAF or Navy.

Have fun!

Answer 3

You need a ton of experience, and you have to know the right people.  How to go about this is up to you.  Just worry about your first job, get on with a jet regional or any cargo carrier and fly turbine, multi-engine aircraft.  After several years you might be able to apply to do the tanker job.  

I would also post your question on an aviation message board.  YA is mostly for more general questions.  Good luck.

Answer 4

A. While many are, not all fire bomber pilots are ex-military. I used to be one (copilot) and I was never in the military. Neither was the captain I flew with.

B. You pretty much have to know somebody who recommends you for the job. People do not get hired from resumes.

C. College or special schooling is not a requirement, but you do need at least your commercial, multi-engine, and instrument ratings, with ATP preferred with a type rating (required for Captains), plus a substantial amount of experience in multi-engine turbine, or in some cases, radial engine aircraft.

D. To be a captain, you have to have very substantial overall flight experience and quite a bit of fire experience in type. You gain a lot of that experience flying as copilot.

E. Very few co-pilots are hired who do not hold an A&P license or otherwise have some sort of aircraft maintenance background. If they don't have that then substantial flight experience is usually required in larger, multi-engine aircraft, plus some background in low-level and mountain flying.  I built my time flying single engine aircraft in the Alaska bush and flying twin turboprops for a commuter airline. I was hired to fly fires when I had about 6,000 hours total and 4,000 multi-turbine.

F. It is not an easy life. After 4 fire seasons I got out of it because I got married and had a kid. Pay was good, but too much time away from home fighting fires, which is a VERY hazardous business, is not the best way to raise a family.

G. Contact one of the FSS contractors and ask what their minimum requirements are.

H. Think about trying to get a job with the USFS or BLM. They do not fly tankers (that's contracted out), but they do hire people to fly lead planes and you don't need nearly as much experience. A college degree definitely helps there.

Answer 5

After obtaining the relevant licences and ratings, you would need to be type rated on the tankers. You would also need to log sufficient water dropping flights. With the required hours, including PIC on the tankers, you should be able to apply for the job with your fire service.