Fire bomber pilots ....

Just finish reading the interesting story of the B-17 with three feathered engines, great stuff, which brings the question, or questions

What background do most of these fellows have and if someone today wanted to become a fire bomber pilot, where do they begin?

Are most ex-military, commercial pilots? or something else?

An I using the correct term? .... fire bomber pilots? or forrest service pilots?

[skybolt2003]

Didn't you see "Always"? It's easy - first you get a Citabria and call it "Wing and a Prayer' then you go to Flat Rock and get your initial attack card. Then you're good to go.
Actually, these days in the age of the SEAT, it's probably good to start out as an ag pilot.

[bipe215]

Skybolt is right. Cropduster pilots are naturals for fire fighting. I have a friend, Bill Hodge, who works for the same folks Larry works for. He goes out west each year and flies turbine Air Tractors on fires. He's a former duster owner/operator with over 12,000 tailwheel hours. He knows his stuff when it comes to flying heavy and low.

Steve G

[K5DH]

What background do most of these fellows have and if someone today wanted to become a fire bomber pilot, where do they begin?

If the Feds have their way, you'll have to be a helicopter pilot. They don't seem to believe in fixed wing airtankers any more.

Dean the cynical