Spur Aviation and/or Ponderosa Aviation

jrh

jrh

Well-Known Member
Does anyone know much about these companies? They both have fleets of Shrike Commander aircraft for fire fighting operations.

I'd like to learn more about their competitive minimums, pilot turnover, how to make a resume stand out, what time of year they hire for the fire season, if their pilots view it as just a stepping stone gig or long term employment, morale within the company, etc.

Any info would be appreciated!
 
I don't know, I've just heard that the FAA is really on their case now, after they had that CFIT crash on a "ferry" flight, with like 6 people on board. Rumor mill says they're going to wind up shut down.
 
Well Spur and Ponderosa are both good companies to work for. Pilot mins are minimum 2000 with 200 PIC multi. Best way to get in is to have commander time or fire experience. Mike Walker is just direct and to the point if you show up and do your job and are professional no issues. Best time to apply is in the winter January time frame. There was an accident but it was not on the 135 Certificate. So it is like rumor mill Patrick borrowing your airplane and crashing it and they pull your license. Hence it is a rumor. I know several people that have worked for both companies. The best way to get a job there is drop your resume off in person and talk to them. Hope that helps you.
 
I do know that the forest service wants to do away with all the pistons. They like the 690 way better than the 500. With the DA's in the summer in a lot of places they are(10k+++), the 500's just don't have any power left.
 
I've only talked to several spur pilots. Most of them are looking to get out and asking me how good Ameriflight is. Watched one pilot turn down a flight due to safety concerns.

Take it for what it's worth
 
Lostinbigak said:
There was an accident but it was not on the 135 Certificate. So it is like rumor mill Patrick borrowing your airplane and crashing it and they pull your license. Hence it is a rumor.
Click to expand...

Never said it was fact, nor that I knew the whole story, was just relaying what I had heard.

As to the AC50 vs AC90, the AC90 is really an advantage when the DA's get up there.
 
I recently learned about this company by meeting one if their pilots, working/based as air attack. They said ponderosa was their "sister" company. So one bought the other I take it.
Just bumping this thread, I'd like to hear and learn more. Looks like good potential for a good seasonal gig. Government contracts usually pay well I'm assuming ???
 
For fixed wing, I know US forest service requires 1500 total time, 200 category/class, 500 cross country, 100 night, 75 instrument with 50 instrument in flight, and 25 make and model with 10 hrs make/model in previous 12 months. They also require 100 in previous 12 months and 200 low level mountainous terrain (2500 agl and below).
 
escapepilot said:
For fixed wing, I know US forest service requires 1500 total time, 200 category/class, 500 cross country, 100 night, 75 instrument with 50 instrument in flight, and 25 make and model with 10 hrs make/model in previous 12 months. They also require 100 in previous 12 months and 200 low level mountainous terrain (2500 agl and below).
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. That's good to know. I fly a fair amount of low level, but nothing official like pipeline patrol or spraying. Is there guidelines for logging the low level stuff?
Example: I just went to mineral bottom airstrip, here in southern Utah. We flew our approach and extended departure in the river canyon (which is awesome). That should count as low level right?
 
BHouston@ok3air said:
Ok thanks. That's good to know. I fly a fair amount of low level, but nothing official like pipeline patrol or spraying. Is there guidelines for logging the low level stuff?
Example: I just went to mineral bottom airstrip, here in southern Utah. We flew our approach and extended departure in the river canyon (which is awesome). That should count as low level right?
Click to expand...
unless you had an operational need to go low level, then I don't see how you could count anything below 500'.

Also Air Attack isn't a low level gig...but you would want to log your mountain time see chart:

All airplanes
Flying hours
Total time
1500
Pilot-in-command total
1200
Pilot-in-command, as follows:

Category and class to be flown
200
Fixed wing – preceding 12-months
100
Cross Country
500
Operations in low level mountainous terrain*
200
Night
100
Instrument – in flight
50
Instrument – actual/simulated
75
Make & Model to be flown
25
Make & Model - preceding 60-days
10
*Low level mountainous terrain is flight at 2500 feet AGL and below in terrain identified as mountainous in 14 CFR 95.11 and depicted in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Figure 5-6-2.​

An Air Attack pilot will not, and is not allowed to go below 500' AGL.That would have been a checkride failure. As a matter of fact on my carding ride this year, the FS inspector tried to get me below 500' over a ridge when I would have been 700' over the fire...no bueno.​
​
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top