Fire spotting job ad
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Perth
Age: 35
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a call too stating that I've been selected for 4 days of ground school and flight screening. From the follow up email i received it looks like 6 people made it to that stage as for how many they'll take i am not sure of.
short flights long nights
Was my first job, based in Nannup. 1978. Loved every second.
BSD
There were already 3 pilots in Manjimup when I joined, all from NASA at Cessnock.
He's the Bunbury Senior Base Pilot and a top bloke. I believe he trained at NASA.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Perth
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm hoping someone who was selected in a previous season of fire spotting can tell me a few things about the training selection at Dwellingup?
- What should I expect?
- How many people were on your course, and how many of them were selected for jobs (and how they/you were selected if you know)?
- What would you recommend me doing before I went down?
I am going to do some ccts and g/h in a scout before I go, just curious if there is any more I can do.
Thanks in advanced for any response.
- What should I expect?
- How many people were on your course, and how many of them were selected for jobs (and how they/you were selected if you know)?
- What would you recommend me doing before I went down?
I am going to do some ccts and g/h in a scout before I go, just curious if there is any more I can do.
Thanks in advanced for any response.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: FL510
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Find your own wheels down to Dwellingup from Perth, they supply accommodation, food and everything else once you're there.
Runs for roughly 4-5 days, most of it is classroom stuff, they have lessons and talk about their operations and about firespotting. Also they talk about the aircraft they use ACA Scout (8GCBC). There are about 3-4 exams each day for roughly 2 and a half days, the final exam consists of weight and balance question. You are assessed on these exams against the other candidates.
You will be there staying with the other candidates and the returning pilots from the previous season (everyone has to do the Dwellingup camp every year (as in all pilots they have) no matter how many seasons of fire spotting they've done). The guys from previous seasons will unofficially be 'guaranteed a job' while the new guys (maybe 8 of you) will be fighting for the spare spots they need. (Usually less than 5).
Brekky, lunch and dinner are supplied by them, and are purposely done this way so they can see how you interact and socialize with other people. Make sure you are aware of what you say in public and how you present yourself. In saying that, be yourself, because if you are a dick that no one wants to be around, they would rather see that there and not half-way through the season when no one wants to work with you. (If you get the job you'll know what I mean, or should I say, who I mean assuming they're still there
)
So you're there for about 5 days, the first 2 and a half are the theory and the last couple are for the check flights. They only last for an hour, but they give quite a few days buffer for bad weather.
As far as the check flight goes, they know 99% of people haven't flown a Scout before, but obvs the requirements for the job mean everyone has flown a tailwheel a/c before. So some basic tailwheel skills must be there. The flight will involve departing for some airwork involving general handling and getting a feel for the aircraft in some turns and moving onto stalls etc. Then doing a few PFL's and returning for circuits. The Scout is tricky to land at first because of its large main tyres making it very bouncy on touchdown. If the weather is good you'll probably do your check flight at Dwellingup which is a dirt strip so that will work in your favour. If the weather is bad you'll possibly do the circuits at Bunbury which is sealed and not the easiest for guys who don't have much tailwheel time and never flown this aircraft before. In saying that its pretty easy to pick up, most guys will bounce the first couple landings which is fine, as long as you keep it safe and under control, the check pilot will be happy. They're looking for improvement too and someone that is motivated and learns quick. You'll get about 3 circuits at the end, if you stuff up all landings, don't worry, you WON"T be the only one haha. People tend to worry at that stage because they think the check flight is the be all and end all of whether you get the job, its not! There are a number of areas they look at for each candidate and a general consensus is achieved and the successful candidates are selected from that.
After the check flight you're fine to go home, expect a call within a few weeks.
I wouldn't bother doing any stuff in a scout before hand unless you are really keen to burn some money, its not needed, but up to you. Sure it will probably help a little, especially over the others, but your choice.
Runs for roughly 4-5 days, most of it is classroom stuff, they have lessons and talk about their operations and about firespotting. Also they talk about the aircraft they use ACA Scout (8GCBC). There are about 3-4 exams each day for roughly 2 and a half days, the final exam consists of weight and balance question. You are assessed on these exams against the other candidates.
You will be there staying with the other candidates and the returning pilots from the previous season (everyone has to do the Dwellingup camp every year (as in all pilots they have) no matter how many seasons of fire spotting they've done). The guys from previous seasons will unofficially be 'guaranteed a job' while the new guys (maybe 8 of you) will be fighting for the spare spots they need. (Usually less than 5).
Brekky, lunch and dinner are supplied by them, and are purposely done this way so they can see how you interact and socialize with other people. Make sure you are aware of what you say in public and how you present yourself. In saying that, be yourself, because if you are a dick that no one wants to be around, they would rather see that there and not half-way through the season when no one wants to work with you. (If you get the job you'll know what I mean, or should I say, who I mean assuming they're still there
)So you're there for about 5 days, the first 2 and a half are the theory and the last couple are for the check flights. They only last for an hour, but they give quite a few days buffer for bad weather.
As far as the check flight goes, they know 99% of people haven't flown a Scout before, but obvs the requirements for the job mean everyone has flown a tailwheel a/c before. So some basic tailwheel skills must be there. The flight will involve departing for some airwork involving general handling and getting a feel for the aircraft in some turns and moving onto stalls etc. Then doing a few PFL's and returning for circuits. The Scout is tricky to land at first because of its large main tyres making it very bouncy on touchdown. If the weather is good you'll probably do your check flight at Dwellingup which is a dirt strip so that will work in your favour. If the weather is bad you'll possibly do the circuits at Bunbury which is sealed and not the easiest for guys who don't have much tailwheel time and never flown this aircraft before. In saying that its pretty easy to pick up, most guys will bounce the first couple landings which is fine, as long as you keep it safe and under control, the check pilot will be happy. They're looking for improvement too and someone that is motivated and learns quick. You'll get about 3 circuits at the end, if you stuff up all landings, don't worry, you WON"T be the only one haha. People tend to worry at that stage because they think the check flight is the be all and end all of whether you get the job, its not! There are a number of areas they look at for each candidate and a general consensus is achieved and the successful candidates are selected from that.
After the check flight you're fine to go home, expect a call within a few weeks.
I wouldn't bother doing any stuff in a scout before hand unless you are really keen to burn some money, its not needed, but up to you. Sure it will probably help a little, especially over the others, but your choice.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Perth, Australia
Age: 42
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BlackPrince has hit it all pretty much on the head. I hear the majority of pilots have moved on this year so there may be as many as 6 or 7 new guys needed, the majority in Manjimup but there may also be a spot in Bunbury and Jandakot.
Good luck if you've gotten a call to go to Dwellingup, you couldn't ask for a better first job.
Good luck if you've gotten a call to go to Dwellingup, you couldn't ask for a better first job.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Perth
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BlackPrince you are an absolute champion. This is exactly what I was hoping in a response. Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a detailed response.
Ruddegar - ill see you down there mate
Ruddegar - ill see you down there mate
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Australia (NZer)
Age: 32
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ill see you guys down there
Mappers, ruddegar, have you heard anything else yet? One of the guys at ACFT mentioned something about some training already completed at manjimup, hopefully thats the last seasons crew.
Mappers, ruddegar, have you heard anything else yet? One of the guys at ACFT mentioned something about some training already completed at manjimup, hopefully thats the last seasons crew.
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: TAS, Australia
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone apply for this year's intake? I'd expect a few less guys going back for a 2nd season than previous years.
How long after applications close until they typically contact applicants? Is it a phone interview before the flight screening or a 'hey, you've been selected for screening, be here on this date'?
How long after applications close until they typically contact applicants? Is it a phone interview before the flight screening or a 'hey, you've been selected for screening, be here on this date'?
