OK.... I think that covering aviation aviation as an aviation journalist for these last many decades has been about the coolest job ever... but this advert makes me think twice about that.
The LA County Fire Department is looking for pilots for what they describe as an elite air fleet of Bell and Sikorsky helicopters...
Think you qualify? Well... you must meet the following Selection requirements:
Four thousand (4,000) hours of Pilot-In-Command flying time in helicopters.
Fifteen hundred (1,500) hours of this time must have been flown in mountainous terrain at pressure altitudes (PA) of over 4,000 feet on map survey, power line patrol/construction, fire control, search and rescue operations, emergency medical services, or similar assignments requiring take-offs and landings with maximum loads on unimproved landing areas under adverse weather conditions.
Required Certificate(s):
A valid Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter Rating issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - OR- A valid Commercial Pilot certificate with a Rotorcraft Helicopter Rating issued by the FAA.
A current and valid Class (1) -OR- Class (2) Aviation Medical certificate issued by the FAA.
A valid Commercial Pilot certificate with Helicopter Instrument Rating issued by the FAA at the time of appointment.
License:
A valid California Driver License is required at the time of appointment.
OK... that being said, the gig seems to pay well... $107,390.16 – $144,715.68, Annually, plus benefits -- Medical and dental coverage, Pension plan, Paid vacation and holidays, and Sick leave.
"Fly-by-wire flight, coupled with additional capability that are being integrated into ALFA, provide a great foundation for Bell to expand on its autonomous capabilities. This airc>[...]
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