Shaft34

I agree with your assessment of the lifestyle for a SEAT or Fed pilot, lots of time on the road.

First off, that is a very cool piece of history to inherit! You are over thinking this whole process of firearm ownership. With a few exceptions, like NYC and maybe DC, there aren’t really any restrictions on possessing a standard bolt action, centerfire rifle. Like nunya posted above, home of record means little to you right now, unless you’re storing or transporting it back to IL. According to Federal law for purpose of firearms, you are considered a resident of your PCS duty location. You didn’t say your current state, so hard to give correct info. That is where you’ll find any restrictions on storage requirements. Generally, I’d say displaying it as a wall hangar should be fine. Just some common sense with not having ammo nearby if you have kids, etc. Also, be wary of strangers, such as repair or service workers, that have access to your house and can see it. Could potentionally lead to theft. Definitely don’t let any movers take the rifle, move it yourself. A $25 rifle case from Walmart wild work well, just get one long enough. Add a couple pad locks if that makes you feel better. I am not sure of your exposure to guns in .mil, but remember it’s just a tool and mechanical device. People with limited exposure to guns often tend to assign more powers to them than those of us who use them all the time. Look up the rules of gun safety and stick to them. After all, it’s just some metal, wood, and maybe plastic designed to complete a task. I’d recommend buying yourself a decent .22 rifle like a Ruger 10/22. Learn to shoot it and have some fun!

I think he stopped flying about 3-4 yrs ago and retired 2 yrs ago. Definitely a legend!

Sure...here you go. I was actually in SoCal. Woolsey Fire on 11/11/18 in the West Hills area and Fox Tanker Base in Lancaster. Screen shots are from local CBS news chopper in LA. The shadow makes for an interesting image.

Link to the DynCorp job posting as of 11/16/18: https://dyncorp.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=429005&src=JB-10060

Here's an article and video The Union paper in Grass Valley did on the Air Attack Base located at the Nevada County Airport. Jake, the Battalion Chief there, talks about the program and fighting fire a bit. It also shows the loading pits and retardant reloading during a fire in the area. https://www.theunion.com/news/local-news/guardians-of-grass-valley-air-attack-firefighters-keep-nevada-county-and-beyond-safe-from-wildfire-video-photo-gallery/?fbclid=IwAR1bgRm3gVZRpUHQVvVUE2tTe4ohFvqLYCz7FNFl-Y0asCXQhrBUhuyMKCM

See my post above regarding hours. I wanted to address the mention of the ANG performing the fire mission. The ANG does operate up to 6 (I think) C-130 MAFFS units when called upon during the fire season on a nation wide basis. The MAFFS is a roll on system that holds 3000 gal of retardant. It uses pressurized air to force the retardant out through a nozzle placed in the aft/left door. All the other tankers on the line (except the 747) use a gravity fed, continuous flow drop system, so there are some differences in drop pattern. The main difference is the level of certification between the MAFFS crews and your typical Tanker crew. All CalFire and most Federal contract tankers have Captains that are carded for Initial Attack (IA). This allows a captain to size up a fire, talk to ground resources, and potentially drop without any other aerial supervision over the incident. The MAFFS and VLATS (DC-10s/747) are not IA carded and require not only aerial supervision, but also a Lead Plane to drop. This is not intended to be critical, just pointing out the differences in case anyone was curious. Our program at CalFire is very focused on the Initial Attack part of fighting fire. The airplanes are dispatched like fire engines at the first smoke report. It's an aggressive and rewarding way to fight fire. NOTE: If any MAFFS pilot sees any errors in my post, please contact me and I'll change it. Just going by what I've learned talking to MAFFS guys.

Here is a break down of the previously advertised times for the CalFire job Air Tactical Pilot – minimum PILOT-IN-COMMAND experience: Airplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1800 Airplane-Multi-Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800 Of which AME: may include no more than non-centerline thrust . . . . . . . 400 Mountain (typical terrain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Instrument (total) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Instrument (actual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 One or more of the following: Aerial firefighting (PIC or Co-Pilot). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 500 AME >6,000# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 AME >12,500# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 AME Turbine powered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 That should give you an idea if you're qualified or not. Need a Commercial AMEL and 2nd Class (w/ EKG if over 40). Note that this is PIC time and not total times. I don't think these are hard minimums, but that would be individual dependent. Talking with the guys who make the decisions, it seems as if they're most interested in pilots who want to be Tanker pilots and have a broad flying background that will enable a smooth transition to flying twin engine turboprops in a challenging environment. For example, I spent about an equal 5 years of my 15 years AD in 3 airframes (T-37/F-16/U-2) and an additional 3 years flying a King Air 200 on fires and charter. I'd say each experience has provided me a solid foundation for learning to fly the S-2 as an air tanker. It's a combination of flying a heavy twin in a dynamic CAS event like it is a low and slow backcountry plane. A tactical background is a huge plus and really helps dealing with the Fire Traffic Area and environment, it's sort of like a CAS stack. Lots of visual talk on's for a drop. So, if you have the interest, think you have the flying skills, and want to do an awesome mission...this is the job for you!

I live in Idaho and fly in CA for about 5 months each year. The current 6/1 schedule is a drag, but being home 24/7 for 6-7 months is nice too. That’s about 140 work days per year. The planned 12/6 schedule will be much better for people living out of state, which is actually a main reason we are moving in that direction.

I agree dude! Great job, cool mission, and good group of pilots. Not for everyone, but if you’re interested hit up 78 or myself. This probably isn’t the right fit for someone building spreadsheets comparing pay at different majors. When it gets busy it is hard work, rewarding, but demanding none the less. I’m hearing they may be resume sorting next week, so anyone SERIOUSLY interested get in touch ASAP. Need availability in early Spring ‘19. Tactical flying and some multi time are pluses, even better if turboprop. Shaft

$299 at AIM Surplus for a LEO .40 https://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1SWMP40&name=LEO+Trade-In+Smith+%26+Wesson+M%26P40+.40+S%26W+Handgun&groupid=7952

Huggy, I can ask the pilots at Hemet if they’d be interested in bringing the OV-10 or S-2T over. I’m not sure how the approval process works in our organization, but I can at least ask. Being late May, Cal Fire may not allow the aircraft off base for an airshow. One of the pilots lives in Redlands, so he may be interested. Let me get back to you... SHAFT

DynCorp has a couple job postings for IP positions at Sheppard (Contingent Upon Award): https://dyncorp.jobs.net/en-US/job/t-6a-instructor-pilot-ip-contingent-upon-award/J3K7YG5X2X071P7T990 https://dyncorp.jobs.net/en-US/job/t-38c-instructor-pilot-ip-contingent-upon-award/J3F52R6B01P1STF22KF Here are the mins they have posted: DI T-38C Flight Time and Experience Minimums: Flight Currency Status/Minimums: 2,000 Hours Total Flight Time 1,000 Hours in Fighter/Fighter Trainer MDS 500 hours formal course IP experience or; 3 years Instructor Pilot duties, 4-Ship Flight Lead, Designated Mission Commander in the Combat Air Force or AETC FTU or T-38C PIT/JSUPT missions 50 Flying Hours - last 12 months No mention of pay/benefits.

Some pictures from the memorial for Capt Kuss here in Durango, CO: https://www.durangoherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610009999&Ref=PH/Marine-Capt-Jeff-Kuss-comes-home#/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610009999&Ref=PH&Item=1&NewTbl=1&MaxH=400 https://www.durangoherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611009999&Ref=PH/Kuss-memorial#/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DU&Date=20160611&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611009999&Ref=PH&Item=22&NewTbl=1&MaxH=400 I just happen to be here in Durango on a fire assignment and missed the memorial because we were out flying a fire, but word from those were around is how respectful everyone was as the precession made its way through town. It is a big deal to the people here even during the busy tourist season. Fat Albert just left today and I think the Hornets staged out of GJT. RIP Capt Kuss

Two places I'd use are: 1. ABQ tower - call them for the number 2. Kirtland OSS should have an airspace office of some sort

Take a look at e Ruger SR-22 if they're still making it. My Dad has one and it's fun to shoot.

I'd say you'll be ok with him as a speaker, as long as your audience isn't the aerial firefighting industry. Not real popular within that world after his time with the USFS. I don't know if it is deserved or not, but that's the perception. He was an instructor of mine all four years at the zoo because I was a history major. I remember him as one of the more memorable ones and a good story teller.

It takes time for a TFR to be implemented for fire ops. Say anywhere from an hour to a whole day. During an Initial Attack phase the aircraft are responding to a lat/long passed through a dispatch center. Sometimes they are dead on, other times they are WAGs up to 5 miles off. Depends if it was called in by a ground crew already working it, or by someone just calling in the general vicinity. The small ones can be real hard to find sometimes... I imagine CalFire is on top of it when getting TFRs put in place, but I haven't read how long into the incident they were when the drone(s) were spotted.

Lots of conflicting information concerning the number of hobby drones in the vicinity, but one is enough to shut things down. NIFC PSA about drone strikes: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aj0BJi9Hcg NIFC diagram of the Fire Traffic Area (FTA) for those interested: https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/logistics/aircraft/PMS505_FTA-Card-2013_FINAL-2up.pdf It's hard enough keeping an eye out for each other and other air traffic in these dynamic situations.

Probably due to the fact they let a lot of pilots leave via TERA and VSP last year, combined with normal attrition. Not allowing for fighter/bomber applicants makes for a much smaller pool to draw from.

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Just your average AF (interview) flight!

Useful for students flying around the pattern to keep it coordinated until they get the feel. Up high you generally center it up with the yaw knob on the autopilot once you get above 50k and don't really mess with it after that. Helps keep the wing fuel balanced for the landing. Don't really use it for the landing phase, too busy looking straight forward (yaw string is overhead on the canopy) trying to keep the wings level, stopping drift, and keeping her at 2'. You can tell the yaw pretty well by looking at the nose. The big honking ASARS nose is the best for crab, but not as good for the others. Of course, there are as many techniques for flying the Deuce as there are U-2 pilots...

Based on my personal experience transferring GI Bill benefits right before applying for TERA, I would NOT recommend doing it if you are putting in for VSP. I did the transfer one day before applying for TERA because it was listed as being fully waived if approved. Of course there was no mention that they would use ADSC as a discriminator when deciding who was approved. Ended up being ranked 7 of 8 in my yr group/AFSC because of it. Fortunately I got lucky and was accidentally approved due to their own incompetence, so it worked out in my favor. Had I known this beforehand, probably wouldn't have done the transfer, as I had just completed my ADSC for the bonus that same month and had no other ADSCs. Probably would have gotten TERA anyway after being passed over 2x this month. Of course, it may or not make a difference with this round, but we would never know since they don't really publish how exactly they're making these decisions.

Just curious HeloDude...how is the top one a pistol? Looks like it has a buttstock to me. What am I missing?