wvrotor Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 Ok, I would like some input from the community on the viability of our recently approved course. Our thoughts were these.......1. FAA approved2. Aircraft and equipment representative of the industry.3. Loads to 2700 lbs4. Aerial firefighting stage with Bambi bucket and actual water drops.5. Standards consistent with US Forest Svc guidelines. Given difficulties breaking into some parts of the industry would those of you in supervisory/management positions look twice at a commercial pilot who has attained this type training but little or no other experience of this type? I know, the first thought is expense. Please put that aside for now and think about the benefits / detractions of the course. We went to a lot of trouble to get the Feds to admit it could be done in the manner we wanted and now that it is we want to be sure anyone who attends gets something useful for their time and money. Thanks..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
permison Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 Ok, I would like some input from the community on the viability of our recently approved course. Our thoughts were these.......1. FAA approved2. Aircraft and equipment representative of the industry.3. Loads to 2700 lbs4. Aerial firefighting stage with Bambi bucket and actual water drops.5. Standards consistent with US Forest Svc guidelines. Given difficulties breaking into some parts of the industry would those of you in supervisory/management positions look twice at a commercial pilot who has attained this type training but little or no other experience of this type? I know, the first thought is expense. Please put that aside for now and think about the benefits / detractions of the course. We went to a lot of trouble to get the Feds to admit it could be done in the manner we wanted and now that it is we want to be sure anyone who attends gets something useful for their time and money.Thanks..... I would be interested in attending as a student. Can you post some info about it?Permison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrotor Posted December 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 I would be interested in attending as a student. Can you post some info about it?Permison In order to keep this from being jumped on as a disguised advertising attempt, I will reply to you if you PM me or bossman..Look forward to talking with you about it.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More_Cowbell Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 I have been wondering how a person would get into that aspect of flying, and haven't really been able to find much on the Internet. I haven't even been able to find out what the actual requirements for an OAS card are. Would this course be in any way sanctioned or approved by the Dept. of the Interior, BLM, or USFS for certification? Would a training program like this teach to those OAS card standards and work as a prep course? And if you know, what are the standards? How does a course like this fit into the, what seems like a fairly industry standard, career progression? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 (edited) Would this course be in any way sanctioned or approved by the Dept. of the Interior, BLM, or USFS for certification? Would a training program like this teach to those OAS card standards and work as a prep course? BLM and USFS don't sanction training, but any good lift course would prepare you to get your card. There are two programs in So Cal now that teach vertical lift, however the intriguing part, is most training is not done with those kinds of weights, or with an actual bambi and water drops. Some day when I retire with tons of money, so that I can afford to be a professional helo pilot, helo fire fighting would be one cool way to spend the day. Cowbell- do a search of this forum, there are a couple threads with a lot more details on the standards required. Goldy Edited December 1, 2007 by Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvrotor Posted December 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 The standards of the course are built around the FAA standards , if there are any, for the maneuvers performed. The standards adhered to by the Forest Service are included in the training and the end of course scenarios are designed to test the student to those standards. The ground school will thoroughly cover those aspects of external load operations required by part 133 and those required by the USFS. Goldy is right about the sanctioning of the training. We are 'sanctioned' by the FAA. The use of a medium lift aircraft and the actual conduct of long line and bambi bucket operations is what we feel are the key aspects of the course........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredR Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 wvrotor,Sounds like a good concept. Something that you might want to add is a Mountain Flying portion. I took two separate checkrides this fire season (one from AMD and one from the Forest Service) and one portion of the practical was to demonstrate mountain flying techniques. This was accomplished prior to ever hooking up the longline. Also, on my initial check, there was an extensive oral that focused on the contract, IHOG, performance planning, weight and balance, limitations and emergency procedures. Some of this is standard stuff but the worst place to try and un-archieve information is during an oral examination. My forest service check pilot told me that they are in the process of developing a mountain flying computer based course that will also be required to be completed every year. Hope this helps.Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossman Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 wvrotor,Sounds like a good concept. Something that you might want to add is a Mountain Flying portion. I took two separate checkrides this fire season (one from AMD and one from the Forest Service) and one portion of the practical was to demonstrate mountain flying techniques. This was accomplished prior to ever hooking up the longline. Also, on my initial check, there was an extensive oral that focused on the contract, IHOG, performance planning, weight and balance, limitations and emergency procedures. Some of this is standard stuff but the worst place to try and un-archieve information is during an oral examination. My forest service check pilot told me that they are in the process of developing a mountain flying computer based course that will also be required to be completed every year. Hope this helps.BobSouthern West Virginia. All we have are mountains. The entire course will be taught in the mountains. They are not the Rockies but we are in the same environment, just not as high (4600 ft.). The Bambi training will be done from the rivers to the ridges. Our valleys are real close together, sometimes it's difficult just to turn around. This course will challenge even experienced pilots.bossman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelFire_91 Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 I realize that you are looking for managment input, but this definately is training I would be willing to travel out there to receive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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