Smokejumper Aircraft Captain — 2027 Seasonal

Employer: Bighorn Airways, Inc.
Location: Sheridan, Wyoming, United States
Contracts: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Schedule: Full-time, seasonal (2027 smokejumper season)
Operating area: Lower 48 and Alaska; extended remote assignments

Join a high-performance team flying challenging, purpose-driven missions that protect lives and wildlands. As a Smokejumper Aircraft Captain, you’ll deliver elite firefighters and critical cargo into remote terrain, execute precision low-level operations, and fly point-to-point missions under IFR—often in mountainous environments and rapidly changing weather.

✈️ The Mission

Operate company aircraft in support of USFS and BLM smokejumper contracts across the continental U.S. and Alaska. You’ll transport and drop smokejumpers, conduct low-level para-cargo deliveries, and perform IFR point-to-point flights—all while exercising sound judgment, precise aircraft control at slow airspeeds, and strong crew coordination in mountainous terrain.

🧭 What You’ll Do

Transport and deploy smokejumpers into remote locations.
Execute low-level para-cargo drops with precision.
Conduct point-to-point IFR operations.
Operate large aircraft safely at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and changing weather.
Demonstrate strong situational awareness, clear communication, and effective crew coordination during extended remote assignments.
Adapt to evolving schedules, locations, and operating conditions while maintaining a safety-first, customer-focused approach.

🧰 What You Bring

Certificates: ATP or completion of the ATP written examination.
Total flight time: 5,000+ hours.
Airplane time: 2,000+ hours; 100+ hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months.
Multi-engine: 500+ hours.
PIC night: 100+ hours.
PIC instrument: 75+ hours.
PIC cross-country: 1,000+ hours.
PIC large aircraft: 250+ hours in aircraft >12,500 lbs.
PIC turboprop: 500+ hours.
Low-level flight: 200+ hours below 500 ft AGL.
Mountain flying: 500+ hours below 2,500 ft AGL.
Mindset & skills: Safety-first judgment, high situational awareness, strong crew coordination, clear communication, excellent customer service, and a positive, professional attitude.
Team fit: Comfortable working collaboratively during extended remote assignments; adaptable to changing schedules, locations, and operating conditions.
Preferred: Agricultural aviation experience.

🌟 What You’ll Get

Excellent pay.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Supplemental insurance options.

No specific pay amount is stated.

📋 Compliance & Safety

Employment is subject to verification of certificates, ratings, flight experience, and recency.
Must meet applicable company, customer, FAA, and contract requirements.
Position is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.

📨 How to Apply

Submit a resume clearly detailing total flight time, PIC time, aircraft experience, low-level experience, mountain-flying experience, and flight activity during the past 12 months.

📍 Role Snapshot

Base: Sheridan, Wyoming
Operating area: Lower 48 and Alaska
Employment type: Full-time, Seasonal
Season: 2027 smokejumper season

Apply Now Open the PASS assessment preparation

Bighorn Airways, Inc.

Smokejumper Aircraft Captain — 2027 Seasonal