Shaft34

Sure...here you go. I was actually in SoCal. Woolsey Fire on 11/11/18 in the West Hills area and Fox Tanker Base in Lancaster. Screen shots are from local CBS news chopper in LA. The shadow makes for an interesting image.

Link to the DynCorp job posting as of 11/16/18: https://dyncorp.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=429005&src=JB-10060

Here's an article and video The Union paper in Grass Valley did on the Air Attack Base located at the Nevada County Airport. Jake, the Battalion Chief there, talks about the program and fighting fire a bit. It also shows the loading pits and retardant reloading during a fire in the area. https://www.theunion.com/news/local-news/guardians-of-grass-valley-air-attack-firefighters-keep-nevada-county-and-beyond-safe-from-wildfire-video-photo-gallery/?fbclid=IwAR1bgRm3gVZRpUHQVvVUE2tTe4ohFvqLYCz7FNFl-Y0asCXQhrBUhuyMKCM

See my post above regarding hours. I wanted to address the mention of the ANG performing the fire mission. The ANG does operate up to 6 (I think) C-130 MAFFS units when called upon during the fire season on a nation wide basis. The MAFFS is a roll on system that holds 3000 gal of retardant. It uses pressurized air to force the retardant out through a nozzle placed in the aft/left door. All the other tankers on the line (except the 747) use a gravity fed, continuous flow drop system, so there are some differences in drop pattern. The main difference is the level of certification between the MAFFS crews and your typical Tanker crew. All CalFire and most Federal contract tankers have Captains that are carded for Initial Attack (IA). This allows a captain to size up a fire, talk to ground resources, and potentially drop without any other aerial supervision over the incident. The MAFFS and VLATS (DC-10s/747) are not IA carded and require not only aerial supervision, but also a Lead Plane to drop. This is not intended to be critical, just pointing out the differences in case anyone was curious. Our program at CalFire is very focused on the Initial Attack part of fighting fire. The airplanes are dispatched like fire engines at the first smoke report. It's an aggressive and rewarding way to fight fire. NOTE: If any MAFFS pilot sees any errors in my post, please contact me and I'll change it. Just going by what I've learned talking to MAFFS guys.

Here is a break down of the previously advertised times for the CalFire job Air Tactical Pilot – minimum PILOT-IN-COMMAND experience: Airplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1800 Airplane-Multi-Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800 Of which AME: may include no more than non-centerline thrust . . . . . . . 400 Mountain (typical terrain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Instrument (total) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Instrument (actual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 One or more of the following: Aerial firefighting (PIC or Co-Pilot). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 500 AME >6,000# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 AME >12,500# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 AME Turbine powered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 That should give you an idea if you're qualified or not. Need a Commercial AMEL and 2nd Class (w/ EKG if over 40). Note that this is PIC time and not total times. I don't think these are hard minimums, but that would be individual dependent. Talking with the guys who make the decisions, it seems as if they're most interested in pilots who want to be Tanker pilots and have a broad flying background that will enable a smooth transition to flying twin engine turboprops in a challenging environment. For example, I spent about an equal 5 years of my 15 years AD in 3 airframes (T-37/F-16/U-2) and an additional 3 years flying a King Air 200 on fires and charter. I'd say each experience has provided me a solid foundation for learning to fly the S-2 as an air tanker. It's a combination of flying a heavy twin in a dynamic CAS event like it is a low and slow backcountry plane. A tactical background is a huge plus and really helps dealing with the Fire Traffic Area and environment, it's sort of like a CAS stack. Lots of visual talk on's for a drop. So, if you have the interest, think you have the flying skills, and want to do an awesome mission...this is the job for you!

I live in Idaho and fly in CA for about 5 months each year. The current 6/1 schedule is a drag, but being home 24/7 for 6-7 months is nice too. That’s about 140 work days per year. The planned 12/6 schedule will be much better for people living out of state, which is actually a main reason we are moving in that direction.

I agree dude! Great job, cool mission, and good group of pilots. Not for everyone, but if you’re interested hit up 78 or myself. This probably isn’t the right fit for someone building spreadsheets comparing pay at different majors. When it gets busy it is hard work, rewarding, but demanding none the less. I’m hearing they may be resume sorting next week, so anyone SERIOUSLY interested get in touch ASAP. Need availability in early Spring ‘19. Tactical flying and some multi time are pluses, even better if turboprop. Shaft

$299 at AIM Surplus for a LEO .40 https://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1SWMP40&name=LEO+Trade-In+Smith+%26+Wesson+M%26P40+.40+S%26W+Handgun&groupid=7952

Huggy, I can ask the pilots at Hemet if they’d be interested in bringing the OV-10 or S-2T over. I’m not sure how the approval process works in our organization, but I can at least ask. Being late May, Cal Fire may not allow the aircraft off base for an airshow. One of the pilots lives in Redlands, so he may be interested. Let me get back to you... SHAFT

DynCorp has a couple job postings for IP positions at Sheppard (Contingent Upon Award): https://dyncorp.jobs.net/en-US/job/t-6a-instructor-pilot-ip-contingent-upon-award/J3K7YG5X2X071P7T990 https://dyncorp.jobs.net/en-US/job/t-38c-instructor-pilot-ip-contingent-upon-award/J3F52R6B01P1STF22KF Here are the mins they have posted: DI T-38C Flight Time and Experience Minimums: Flight Currency Status/Minimums: 2,000 Hours Total Flight Time 1,000 Hours in Fighter/Fighter Trainer MDS 500 hours formal course IP experience or; 3 years Instructor Pilot duties, 4-Ship Flight Lead, Designated Mission Commander in the Combat Air Force or AETC FTU or T-38C PIT/JSUPT missions 50 Flying Hours - last 12 months No mention of pay/benefits.

Some pictures from the memorial for Capt Kuss here in Durango, CO: http://www.durangoherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610009999&Ref=PH/Marine-Capt-Jeff-Kuss-comes-home#/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610009999&Ref=PH&Item=1&NewTbl=1&MaxH=400 http://www.durangoherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611009999&Ref=PH/Kuss-memorial#/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611009999&Ref=PH&Item=22&NewTbl=1&MaxH=400 I just happen to be here in Durango on a fire assignment and missed the memorial because we were out flying a fire, but word from those were around is how respectful everyone was as the precession made its way through town. It is a big deal to the people here even during the busy tourist season. Fat Albert just left today and I think the Hornets staged out of GJT. RIP Capt Kuss

Two places I'd use are: 1. ABQ tower - call them for the number 2. Kirtland OSS should have an airspace office of some sort

Take a look at e Ruger SR-22 if they're still making it. My Dad has one and it's fun to shoot.

I'd say you'll be ok with him as a speaker, as long as your audience isn't the aerial firefighting industry. Not real popular within that world after his time with the USFS. I don't know if it is deserved or not, but that's the perception. He was an instructor of mine all four years at the zoo because I was a history major. I remember him as one of the more memorable ones and a good story teller.

It takes time for a TFR to be implemented for fire ops. Say anywhere from an hour to a whole day. During an Initial Attack phase the aircraft are responding to a lat/long passed through a dispatch center. Sometimes they are dead on, other times they are WAGs up to 5 miles off. Depends if it was called in by a ground crew already working it, or by someone just calling in the general vicinity. The small ones can be real hard to find sometimes... I imagine CalFire is on top of it when getting TFRs put in place, but I haven't read how long into the incident they were when the drone(s) were spotted.

Lots of conflicting information concerning the number of hobby drones in the vicinity, but one is enough to shut things down. NIFC PSA about drone strikes: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aj0BJi9Hcg NIFC diagram of the Fire Traffic Area (FTA) for those interested: http://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/logistics/aircraft/PMS505_FTA-Card-2013_FINAL-2up.pdf It's hard enough keeping an eye out for each other and other air traffic in these dynamic situations.

Probably due to the fact they let a lot of pilots leave via TERA and VSP last year, combined with normal attrition. Not allowing for fighter/bomber applicants makes for a much smaller pool to draw from.

deleted

Just your average AF (interview) flight!

Useful for students flying around the pattern to keep it coordinated until they get the feel. Up high you generally center it up with the yaw knob on the autopilot once you get above 50k and don't really mess with it after that. Helps keep the wing fuel balanced for the landing. Don't really use it for the landing phase, too busy looking straight forward (yaw string is overhead on the canopy) trying to keep the wings level, stopping drift, and keeping her at 2'. You can tell the yaw pretty well by looking at the nose. The big honking ASARS nose is the best for crab, but not as good for the others. Of course, there are as many techniques for flying the Deuce as there are U-2 pilots...

Based on my personal experience transferring GI Bill benefits right before applying for TERA, I would NOT recommend doing it if you are putting in for VSP. I did the transfer one day before applying for TERA because it was listed as being fully waived if approved. Of course there was no mention that they would use ADSC as a discriminator when deciding who was approved. Ended up being ranked 7 of 8 in my yr group/AFSC because of it. Fortunately I got lucky and was accidentally approved due to their own incompetence, so it worked out in my favor. Had I known this beforehand, probably wouldn't have done the transfer, as I had just completed my ADSC for the bonus that same month and had no other ADSCs. Probably would have gotten TERA anyway after being passed over 2x this month. Of course, it may or not make a difference with this round, but we would never know since they don't really publish how exactly they're making these decisions.

Just curious HeloDude...how is the top one a pistol? Looks like it has a buttstock to me. What am I missing?

My calculations put it at roughly $1k/month for a 15 vs 20 year O-4. It takes about 12 years for the 20 year pay total to exceed the 15 year pay (due to the extra 5 years of payments). Those are just rough guesstimates I used when making my decision to apply for TERA earlier in the year. I noticed they had added a paragraph on the mypers TERA page saying in effect that all twice passed over O-4s would be offered TERA if eligible. Of course, they didn't define eligibility, whether that was the current TERA criteria, or just meaning you have >15 years. I wondered the reason why they added that late in the game (April) and whether they were going to continue or not. I was approved for TERA in April, but had kind of held out hope that this might be a second chance if originally denied, since I was most likely not gonna make it. Are there reports of continuation being offered to anyone? Sorry to hear about this being implemented for people that really wanted to stay in...can't help the timing!

This is off the All ATPs website to enter their ME ATP program (based on FAR 61.159) 1500 hrs TT - 500 XC - 100 Night - 75 Inst (Actual or Sim) (50 hrs in an airplane) - 250 PIC Airplane - 50 MEL I fail to see how you don't qualify. Maybe you need to look into another school. Also, how do you complete 100 hrs of TC-12 training and end up with no other multi time with 3k hours? T-6 and U-28s or something? More information with regards to your flying history would help us help you.

How much ME time did she say you need? A couple of our guys did the 737 type with me and only had a couple hundred T-38 hours for ME time. Everything else was SEL or powered lift. At some point you flew a ME right? Like a T-37, T-38, T-1, or T-44?