Becoming a Lead Pilot and/or Airtanker Pilot. Where should I begin?

LaughingMan

LaughingMan

New Member
Hey guys, so basically I wanted to know if there are any Lead Pilots or Airtanker Pilots on this forum. (I was recommended to ask for someone named Dale.)

So I'm very very interested in both of these jobs. I looking around other jobs in the aviation industry besides the majors and regional piloting, while they still interest me I wouldn't wanna have them as my first and or only choices. So I decided to poke my head around and found this amazing field of work. Anyway long story short I've done a ton of research over the course of the past few days but still had a few questions to ask.


1.What is the best way to get my foot in the door to an industry such as this? It seems to be a very small community.

2.Currently I'm a student pilot with just above 55 hours (the journey has only started right), what can I begin doing from now that will make me a more attractive candidate when applying.

3. Do you get trained for the type of aircraft you'll be flying, or is that something I should do on my own and bring to the table when applying for a job?

4. What are a few serious set backs to be considered before going into this field.

5. Any words of advice when going into this field.

Any information you guys think will be useful I'll take it.


The career path I'm thinking would be the most ideal

Student---> Instructor-----> FO In a lead plane/ airtanker --------> Pilot LP/AT. Thoughts?
 
LaughingMan said:
Hey guys, so basically I wanted to know if there are any Lead Pilots or Airtanker Pilots on this forum. (I was recommended to ask for someone named Dale.)

So I'm very very interested in both of these jobs. I looking around other jobs in the aviation industry besides the majors and regional piloting, while they still interest me I wouldn't wanna have them as my first and or only choices. So I decided to poke my head around and found this amazing field of work. Anyway long story short I've done a ton of research over the course of the past few days but still had a few questions to ask.

1.What is the best way to get my foot in the door to an industry such as this? It seems to be a very small community.
Click to expand...

Very very small community, especially after the post-2002 drawdown of the industry. not exceptionally easy to get into, experience not only in flying, but in wildland firefighting is a must: you have to know the job of the people you're providing air support to, as well as their tactics/techiques/procedures. Though not required for prior experience, it is very favorable. Personally, I'd prefer a lower time person with wildland fire experience, than a highly experienced TT one without.

2.Currently I'm a student pilot with just above 55 hours (the journey has only started right), what can I begin doing from now that will make me a more attractive candidate when applying.
Click to expand...

Keep building time for now, getting your ratings, and working on multiengine time down the road.

3. Do you get trained for the type of aircraft you'll be flying, or is that something I should do on my own and bring to the table when applying for a job?
Click to expand...

Yes on getting trained, no on you providing it yourself. You bring your qualifications to the table; if you're qualified, then you will get trained in whatever you need to get trained on.

4. What are a few serious set backs to be considered before going into this field.
Click to expand...

It's primarily seasonal work, few full time positions. Too, its not condicive to family life (if you have one), because you go where the work is, constantly moving around the country during fire season.

5. Any words of advice when going into this field.
Click to expand...

Understand that its a very small field nowdays, and tough to break into. Then when inside, it's not the easiest of lives to live for not the highest amount of pay. Just know that.

The career path I'm thinking would be the most ideal

Student---> Instructor-----> FO In a lead plane/ airtanker --------> Pilot LP/AT. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

You'd need something that would get you more multiengine time, preferably turboprop or turbine, to be competitive.

Personally, I'd recommend getting a season on a hand crew or engine as a booter firefighter, but thats just me.
 
where d
LaughingMan said:
Hey guys, so basically I wanted to know if there are any Lead Pilots or Airtanker Pilots on this forum. (I was recommended to ask for someone named Dale.)

So I'm very very interested in both of these jobs. I looking around other jobs in the aviation industry besides the majors and regional piloting, while they still interest me I wouldn't wanna have them as my first and or only choices. So I decided to poke my head around and found this amazing field of work. Anyway long story short I've done a ton of research over the course of the past few days but still had a few questions to ask.


1.What is the best way to get my foot in the door to an industry such as this? It seems to be a very small community.

2.Currently I'm a student pilot with just above 55 hours (the journey has only started right), what can I begin doing from now that will make me a more attractive candidate when applying.

3. Do you get trained for the type of aircraft you'll be flying, or is that something I should do on my own and bring to the table when applying for a job?

4. What are a few serious set backs to be considered before going into this field.

5. Any words of advice when going into this field.

Any information you guys think will be useful I'll take it.


The career path I'm thinking would be the most ideal

Student---> Instructor-----> FO In a lead plane/ airtanker --------> Pilot LP/AT. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Where do you live?
 
We had a lead pilot on here. But I haven't seen him in a long time.
@chucker

Basically he fought fires growing up and than became a pilot who ended up at AMF logging TPIC in a Hondo. Who ended up at the forest service in the KA.
 
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