About This Role
Aero-Flite is seeking an RJ85 Air Tanker Pilot to support wildfire suppression missions by delivering aerial retardant to active fires. The role is responsible for safe aircraft operation, the safety of everyone on board, standardized multi-crew flight operations, regulatory and agency compliance, flight planning, aircraft performance, system monitoring, and coordination with the Pilot in Command, air traffic control, and other fire resources. Selected pilots begin in the right seat while learning the RJ85 and fire operations, with the opportunity to transition to the left seat as their time and experience develop. The position also includes maintenance flights, aircraft preparation, demonstrations, public-service events, and outreach with firefighting partners and the general public.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Work as a team player under the direction of the Pilot in Command and Chief Pilot while conducting flight operations safely, professionally, and in a standardized manner.
- Operate in accordance with company and agency Standard Operating Procedures, support the PIC in maintaining regulatory, agency, and company-policy compliance, and complete accurate pre-flight planning, loading, and aircraft-performance calculations.
- Verify aircraft airworthiness and promptly report concerns or discrepancies to the PIC.
- Maintain expert working knowledge of aircraft and pilot documents, provide clear and timely information to the PIC, ATC, and other fire resources, and continuously monitor aircraft systems, aircraft performance, and crew performance.
- Observe all aircraft limitations and treat the equipment with care and respect while promoting Aero-Flite's mission, vision, and values.
- Assist with aircraft cleaning and pre- and post-season preparation, participate in demonstrations and public-service events, conduct outreach and tours for the public and firefighting community, perform maintenance flights when required, and complete other duties assigned by the Chief Pilot.
What We Offer
Employees will be eligible to enroll in the company's medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, retirement plan with matching contributions, company-paid life and disability coverage, and financial wellness programs.Hired applicants will receive paid leave and may be eligible for bonuses.
Requirements
- Applicants must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with multiengine land privileges
- an ATP is preferred but is not stated as a required license. Required experience includes 3,000 hours in airplanes, 1,000 hours of PIC time, 200 hours of PIC multiengine time, 200 hours of PIC multi-crew time, 100 hours in airplanes during the preceding 12 months, and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight. Candidates must hold an FAA Class II medical certificate, be a US citizen or have official authorization to work in the United States, and possess a valid passport, driver license, and SIDA badge. The role calls for expert knowledge of off-airport, IFR, and multi-crew operations
- FAA regulations and procedures
- aircraft systems
- human factors and risk assessment
- and customer service principles. Applicants should demonstrate conservative aeronautical decision-making, strong airmanship, troubleshooting and critical-thinking ability, computer literacy, technical comprehension, technical writing, and the ability to work with aircraft manuals, company SOPs, discrepancy logs, and MEL procedures. Fire experience and PIC flight time below 500 feet are preferred. The position requires extensive travel within the continental United States and Alaska, occasional travel outside the continental United States for training, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, as well as being organized, detail-oriented, independent, flexible, adaptable, and self-starting.