Wildfire Air Attack Captain – Aero Commander 500 Series

🧭 Mission & Impact

As the Air Attack Captain, you will help orchestrate aerial firefighting efforts, maintaining big-picture situational awareness while directing tankers and helicopters, coordinating with incident command, and ensuring safe, efficient operations in dynamic environments—often over mountainous terrain.

🧰 What You’ll Do

• Lead the Air Attack platform, coordinating aircraft and deconflicting airspace over active incidents.
• Maintain continuous communication with incident command and participating air/ground assets.
• Execute precise orbits and positioning to optimize observation, safety, and mission flow.
• Plan and brief flights with a focus on terrain, weather, performance, and fuel reserves.
• Operate to rigorous safety standards and established USFS procedures.
• Complete accurate logs, reports, and mission paperwork.

🌟 Minimum Requirements

• Total time: 1,500 hours
• PIC time: 1,200 hours
• Multi-engine: 200 hours
• Last flight: 100 hours fixed-wing in past 12 months
• Licenses: CPL, IR, ME (FAA)
• Medical: Class 1
• Type rating: Not required (Training Provided)

Additional flight time requirements per USFS (non-negotiable):

• 500 hours cross-country
• 200 hours mountainous terrain (as defined in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Figure 5-6-2)
• 100 hours night
• 50 hours instrument — in flight
• 75 hours instrument — actual/simulated

📚 Training & Standardization

Type rating is not required. Comprehensive aircraft and mission training will be provided to standardize procedures and ensure safe, effective wildfire operations.

📨 How to Apply

Ready to answer the call? Submit your resume and a logbook summary that clearly demonstrates the minimums and USFS flight time requirements listed above. Applicants must hold an FAA certificate; visa sponsorship is not provided.