What kind of training is involved in becoming a fire pilot?

This is very tough business to get started in. You must first be hired by one of the government contractors. There are requirements for flight time in mountainous terrain at low level. They will put the new hire through an in-house training program that takes about two weeks.

After completion, they will meet with an inspector from Aviation Management that will conduct an oral exam and observe water drops made by the applicant. Upon successful completion of this task the pilot is issued a Level 2 card, which allows them to serve as an apprentice for one year or 25 missions.

After being carded, the applicant must successfully complete the National Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) Academy that is held each March in Safford, Ariz. After showing proficiency on a minimum of 25 missions, the applicant will be issued a Level 1 card. That will allow him or her to conduct initial attack missions. There are also requirements for re-currency training that each fire pilot must complete in order to be re-carded annually.