Bladeslapper

Hi All
Just chasing some info on how to go about getting fire Requirements.
Flying in the wire Environment Course-Have found a couple online courses, Are these acceptable or do i need to attend an actual course.
Bush fire awareness course, Can't find much on this, is this aviation specific? does anyone have a link to this?
Also what is the best CRM course to do?
TIA

Also can anyone explain how to get the 50hrs on fires before being allowed to work on fires,

Pretty much all companies that operate on fire contracts can provide these courses. There’s a bunch of online courses and the companies provide be login details.

None of the online courses should be a showstopper for employment at all unless it’s mid fire season. If you meet the flight experience requirements then you should be able to get a fire gig without an issue.

oneadi wrote:Also can anyone explain how to get the 50hrs on fires before being allowed to work on fires,

They want someone with previous experience....sometimes only option is overseas with less stringent requirements

All the online course are sufficient. It is merely a tick in the box.
I know lots have asked regarding the fire experience but has anyone asked NAFC? It is their requirement so perhaps people contact them ( no disrespect to “oneadi” ) but you will no doubt get the CASA run around in nobody knowing the answer.

It's the old "You can't go unless you've already been" attitude - those who have climbed a few rungs on the ladder want to pull it up after them.

Everybody has to start somewhere. I was just shown how to rig and de-rig the bucket and sent off to work fires, learning on the job, as most of the old heads here have done. When the fires are burning, there is no room for another check pilot's useless weight when you are trying to pull a full bucket out of a dam at 3000' on the Blew Mountains in mid-summer. Get out there and just do it.

Eric is correct, its the same now with multi engine hours , IFR hours, NVFR hours ...NVG hours ...its F@cked

Eric Hunt wrote:It's the old "You can't go unless you've already been" attitude - those who have climbed a few rungs on the ladder want to pull it up after them.

Oh yeah, for sure, its all the 52hr fire pilots hauling that ladder up and laughing all the way to the bank . OR...maybe...its the overlords in control of the fire agencies (you know...the customers) making all these outlandish demands. Either way it is what it is.

Its not the old days anymore. Things have moved on. It is what it is.

Bang"ladder or drawbridge?"Equalsbad.

Out of interest is anyone willing to share what a ball park figure is for pay rates for contract pilots on fires flying As350-longranger gear.
Cheers

I’ve been out of GA for some years now but at the time handy single drivers were on circa $450-600 a day plus $100 per flight hour. Twin drivers were upto $1000 a day plus flight hours at the time.

I’m sure some of the guys on the line these days will have a better idea.? Supply and demand as usual for contractors.

Thanks for that.

Contracting, aim for around 500/day and 100/hr. Plus GST

Medium guys I've seen are on 550-600/day and 150/hr. Plus GST.

Half rate for travel days and the boss pays your way to and from home on an even schedule.

Per diem around 50/day unless you're hired on then it's reef and beef every night.

This is in NSW and you're expected to show up with all the boxes ticked (huet, wires, etc) and a firefighting proficiency check done ready for the season.

Interested to see what other guys are seeing.

edit: added Gst.

Much appreciated, thanks