Seasonal Detection Pilot pool (Perth Firespotting)
 

G'day all,

After any information anyone may have about the WA fire spotting opportunities, I know the applications aren't open, but I am keen as mustard to give it a shot when the time comes.

Bar the basic requirements, can anyone who has experience flying in the pool shed some light on the 'right stuff' for a pilot to possess before applying for the role and once actually spotting?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers all!

Lots of small taildragger time and LOTS of strong x wind experience. Manjimup one strip only and those guys driving the Citabrias , Scouts? had their work cut out on windy days.
Stay safe.

Seems 10ths tailwheel is enough. Don’t have too much experience or they’ll tell you “this is a job for young people.”

It’s a great job. It’ll certainly challenge you. Spotting is pretty self explanatory, flying set routes up to four times a day depending on fire risk. Flying as an Air Attack pilot you’ll spend hours over the top of a fire in hot Smokey turbulent conditions all the while trying to put the AirAttack supervisor in the back seat where he has the best view of the fire so he can call in the bombers. I think the guys and girls do about 400hrs for the season.
There has been a fair bit of movement this season with pilots moving on to other positions.
If you’re keen make sure you apply when the applications open. If successful you’ll learn a lot about hands on flying and hopefully master landing a tail wheel aeroplane in challenging x wind conditions especially here in Manjimup. If you can keep it in one piece here you’ll be fine anywhere.
Best of luck might see you later in the year.

Thanks all for the info! Looking forward to applying!

Cheers,
M1M