Military pilots in fire fighting

[414Flyer]

Pretty much. How dare someone have to not have a pile of firewood next to their house, or clear away tall grasses, or not have 10 time the normal density of trees around their house, because it makes them cry inside to cut down a tree.

There are several things that wildland firefighters look for when deciding if a house is defendable or not. Here is what makes firefighters put a red X in in the driveway and look for one more defendable.

Woodpile next to house or on deck
Wooden shingles
Driveway is too small to turn around in
Trees too think, not thinned any.

Stuff like that...

 

[Megalops]

I broke into the Industry because I had an A&P and radial engine experience. I hung around a tanker base getting to know the guys on contract and helping to blast retardent off of the P2. I was hired shortly out of collage as a mechanic and to fly other mechanic's around in a Baron. Shortly after that I got the chance to fly sic in the P2v neptune. I myself came to a crossroad when flying tankers, stay on to upgrade in about eight to ten years or try for the airlines, I left for the airlines. I still talk to some of my friends in the industry and would not trade the time I spent in it for anything, but I have no desire to go back, it is hard dirty work (incredibly fun though) and in the winter time I found myself wanting to take a quickie saw to some of the aircraft( I just plain burned out as mechanic). But nobody could have told me different either. Try getting an A&P, see if you can get to know any Tanker guys and get on as mechanic, worked for me I know what it is like to want something badly. Good luck