Seeking advice for an aspiring firefighting pilot

[deckars123]

Hi there,

So called aspiring firefighting pilot here. I was seeking some advice on how to become a firefighting pilot.

I’m from Melbourne and have been deeply interested in aerial firefighting. So much so that I dedicate my time to photographing aerial firefighting here in Vic.

Lately I’ve been wondering what possible pathways I could take to potentially become an aerial firefighter myself. I have had a look at Microflite’s Helicopter Pilot cadetship program which you learn about their “diverse operations” including aerial firefighting. The cadetship also states that they cover 50% of the cost for training.

After some consideration I’ve been leaning towards doing this once I turn 18, but I’m really not sure if this is the correct way to begin my career or if it could potentially lead to me becoming an aerial firefighting pilot.

I would really appreciate any advice that could help me.

[skypig]

An aviation career starts with learning to fly, and obtaining a licence.
Unless successful in a military application (Recommended, but not easy, and not for everyone.) this Licence will be expensive. Very expensive.

Then, at the end of the expense and hard work - you are almost unemployable. (Due lack of experience)

You have to be in a position to take ANY chance offered.
This includes a no/low pay job selling joy flight tickets in the middle of nowhere, while waiting for the current pilot to find a better job “move on”. If you are lucky you might fly the machine “home” each afternoon. (New pilots are usually not qualified to fly at night.)

The above reality means you can’t have a debt or other financial obligations (family).

Then, with luck and hard work it goes like this:
Basic flying, like scenic flights in small 2-4 seat, piston engined helicopters
If the company also has bigger turbine powered machines you might transition onto them after a period of time.

Then you will probably have to find another job where the flying is more challenging (Low level Remote, confined areas, precision flying required while someone shoots feral animals, for eg) This job might pay “OK”. (Probably less than a tradesman)

Then you need to get rated for underslung loads - with luck the above employer might pay - often pilots pay for their on sling rating.

Then (trust me, it never ends) you need experience in larger, usually twin engine helicopters. This can be very difficult to attain.

With the above experience and ratings, you could then apply for a fire fighting position, and hope no one with more experience applies.

I’d strongly recommend trying for a Military career, they pay you while supplying lots of training. You wouldn’t fight fires, but would come out the other end with most if not all you’d need to pursue that dream.
Otherwise - I’d strongly recommend you find a way to save the money for a CPL before commencing. And beware the VET fee attraction.

FYI
https://jasonwalburn44.wixsite.com/helicopterpilotjobs

[Gunga Din]

This is how it worked 30 years ago when i did it. The fires happen in areas that will not be where you are living. You will pack a quick bag, load the chopper with the Bambi bucket, a hand-turned fuel pump, fuel testing gear, sling equipment, a basic tool kit, some snacks and water, ring the girlfriend to say you might be back in a week, and away you go.

At the fire ground (it is HOT!) you will get a briefing from the head of operations and be allocated an area to work. Other choppers will be there, and a mutual chat frequency is allotted and a flow pattern quickly put together. Fly to your area, find somewhere to land and drop excess gear. Unload the bucket, spread it on the ground, , hook it on, connect wiring, check for correct operation (should be done before leaving base). Hop in, head for the water source, a dam, river or Buoywall, fill up, and head for the fire.

Lots of smoke, and look for the leading edge of the blaze - follow another chopper to see how they do it - and do your drop. Rinse, repeat. Eventually you need fuel, land next to the drums, leave the engine running at idle, get out your fuel pump (if there isn't already one in a drum), open a drum, test the fuel, pop in the pump and give the handle 200 turns. Tip an empty drum on its side, put the pump in the next drum, (or take your own with you), have a quick squirt, and away you go again.

Come sundown, you go to the chosen hotel / motel, shower off the smoke and soot, have a feed and a beer, collapse. Next morning it is up before the sun, get to the landing area for another brief, and do it all again. And again.

In the days of JetRangers with 500l Bambi buckets, it was certainly not glamorous. It was hard, hot, tired, underfed, but generally satisfying. These days, the procedures have been refined, there are bigger twins with belly tanks, mixing it with a Hercules or a 737, and much better control of things. You get called in sooner, because the authorities finally worked out that it was far better to get water on the fire early instead of waiting for it to reach a critical size so that a government-decreed statute could be used to spend the money on choppers.