Expanding wildfire seasons are increasing demand for skilled aviation professionals across, writes Stacy Collette, Employee Relations Coordinator, Neptune Aviation
At the height of wildfire season, the day at an airtanker base doesn’t begin when smoke is visible on the horizon.
It begins long before that, in the quiet discipline of preparation.
Crews are up early performing maintenance inspections, reviewing aircraft status and preparing for immediate launch.
Operational briefings with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) align teams on fire behaviour, weather systems, airspace coordination and mission objectives.
Mechanics complete detailed pre-flight inspections.
Structural and avionics specialists work through discrepancies, troubleshoot systems and ensure every aircraft meets airworthiness standards before it ever leaves the ground.
Behind the scenes, maintenance control, parts specialists, logistics coordinators and planners are continuously tracking aircraft status, anticipating needs and preparing for next-launch readiness.
It is all part of a highly synchronised effort, and without these skilled professionals, the mission could be grounded.
As wildfire seasons expand in both length and intensity, the demand for mechanics, technicians, pilots and specialists who power this effort continues to grow, opening new career pathways in aviation.
Escalating risk, escalating demand
Wildfire seasons are no longer confined to a few summer months.
Data from Climate Central shows that wildfire season has lengthened by more than 100 days since the 1970s.1 What were once regionally concentrated events now stretch across multiple states and longer operational windows.
Meanwhile, many wildfires in the past were left to burn when they took place within wooded, unoccupied areas, since fire is a natural occurrence that helps to revitalise forests.
That has changed over the last three decades.
Between 1990 and 2020, the wildland-urban interface (WUI), which is the area where human development intermingles with wildland vegetation, added 179,000 square miles.2 The number of homes built within the WUI also grew by 47% during the same period.
3 Fires that burned in remote areas now threaten homes, infrastructure and entire communities, requiring faster and more sustained suppression efforts.
With the current state of wildland firefighting, the USFS and other fire management agencies are now leaning more heavily on aerial assets for initial attack and sustained suppression, meaning demand for skilled professionals isn’t confined to pilots, it expands to the entire aviation ecosystem in order to keep aircraft mission ready.
The talent gap is broader than we think
The aviation industry as a whole is currently navigating a well-documented pilot shortfall, with projections indicating that demand in 2026 could exceed available pilots by 24,000.4
The workforce challenge extends well beyond the cockpit; aerial firefighting operations also depend on licensed aircraft mechanics, structural specialists, certified non-destructive testing (NDT) professionals, machinists and design engineers, avionics technicians and maintenance control personnel.
Wildland firefighting requires professionals who can make quick decisions in a fast-moving environment.
Aircraft routinely operate at low altitudes, in high temperatures and under repeated structural stress.
Maintaining airworthiness under these conditions requires deep technical knowledge and years of hands-on experience, and we are finding that while there are talented new graduates entering the aviation trades, the level of expertise required for specialised aerial firefighting operations takes years to develop, and we need more of them now, than ever before in aviation history.
For mechanics, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) licence is foundational.
Beyond that, they should pursue specialised training in:
- NDT: There are several different types of certifications available to secure.
- Mechanics should maintain their logbooks to track X-rays or penetrant testing they have completed, and if they have leveraged any chemical processing tests.
- Structural repair and composite work and
- Avionics troubleshooting
Electrical experience is a plus.
Building a breadboard, understanding electrical current, understanding how to chase a wire and how to ensure that something will function effectively with the other electronics is key.
Pursuing Inspection Authorisation (IA) certification through the FAA, which authorises mechanics to sign off on advanced repairs, is also helpful.
Hands-on experience is what truly differentiates candidates.
Exposure to complex aircraft modifications, heavy maintenance checks and real-world troubleshooting under compressed operational timelines builds long-term capability.
For pilots, turbine time, low-level flight experience and strong Crew Resource Management (CRM) discipline are essential.
It is an entirely different world for pilots when they are stationed at an airbase to battle wildfire than at an airport for a commercial flight.
It is important for us to recognise the shift in responsibility, and to leverage capacity differently for aerial firefighting pilots.
Attracting the right professionals to aerial firefighting also requires addressing common misconceptions.
One is that the work is seasonal or short-term.
While wildfire activity and the flying season peak during the summer months, the preparation, maintenance, training and planning are year-round endeavours.
Aircraft return throughout the wildfire season for routine maintenance, structural evaluation and inspections, while annual maintenance for aircraft is handled during the winter months to prepare for the year ahead.
Another misconception is that the job is all adrenaline and flying.
In reality, pilots and crews can be stationed at an airbase for extended periods awaiting deployment.
Success depends less on continuous flight operations, and more on meticulous preparation, engineering and mechanical precision, regulatory compliance and disciplined teamwork behind the scenes.
If mechanics cannot move a plane forward through their FAA checks, it doesn’t fly, and many entering the field are surprised by how technically advanced and methodical the work is, especially on the maintenance, fabrication and systems side.
Aerial firefighting captures public attention during dramatic fire events, but that is the culmination of weeks or months of preparation.
Career pathways to aerial firefighting
While recruiting can be challenging, there are well-established pathways professionals pursue leading up to careers in aerial firefighting.
Understanding those pipelines helps operators target the right talent and build sustainable workforces.
The common pathways for mechanics and technical personnel include:
- FAA-certified A&P programmes located all across the U.S., which produce highly qualified aviation maintenance graduates every year
- Technical trade schools for machining and avionics
- Military aviation maintenance backgrounds are a great common pathway
- Entry-level shop apprenticeships
- Internships with aviation operators like us or MRO facilities are spot on
Aviation maintenance and flight operations transfer very well into aerial firefighting due to their adherence to methodical execution.
Many members of the Neptune team transitioned directly from the military, and they adapted seamlessly, complying precisely with quality assurance requirements.
Implementing internship and/or apprentice programmes are particularly effective recruitment tools.
Organisations that invest in these programmes can tailor their curriculum to develop the skills mechanics need to attain their licences and A&P certification.
They can also be trained and certified on the specific aircraft the organisation operates.
At Neptune, they are certifying on the BAE 146 or the Commander 690, and in our general aviation shop they’re certifying on King Airs and Pilatuses.
Training on the exact aircraft operated shortens the learning curve and strengthens retention.
For pilots, many of them begin in commercial aviation, agricultural aviation, military service or rotor-wing operations.
Many are drawn to aerial firefighting seeking a career where they can have an impact.
We have found that those who successfully transition have had significant fixed-wing time (commercially based).
Fire experience is always a plus, as well as experience with low-level flying.
Many pilots gain that experience working for a survey company at one point, or other positions that require low-level flying.
That is critical, because during wildfire operations, aircraft fly 150 feet above the tree line, and that is something that you must know how to do in order to complete successful retardant drops.
Retention through culture
Technical skills open the door, while culture determines organisational success and retention.
Leading employee relations, much of my time is focused on ensuring team members feel valued, supported and that they are positioned for professional growth.
Some accomplish that through continued progression in their current role, while others take the option to transition into new, more challenging positions at the company.
Employees make a significant commitment when they join an organisation.
In the case of Neptune, once they become a member of our team, we want them to understand that the commitment is mutual, and when leadership shows that same investment in their success, it builds trust and mutuality in the mission.
At Neptune, we have built our culture around the values of “Embracing Family, Resilient Spirit and a Firm Handshake.” Leadership’s commitment to our employees reflects all three.
Supporting families through long seasons speaks to Embracing Family.
Standing alongside our team through operational challenges reflects a Resilient Spirit, and demonstrating trust and mutual accountability every day is our Firm Handshake in action.
Investing in the next generation
Aerial firefighting is a long-term investment in infrastructure, safety and talent.
Aircraft do not stay mission-ready by accident.
It requires experienced professionals who take pride in their work and operate with accountability.
As wildfire risk continues to grow, so does the need for skilled aviation professionals who are committed to excellence.
The industry must educate prospective employees about the viability of aerial firefighting as a long-term career.
The effort needs to begin early.
By introducing young adults, even high school and middle school students, to opportunities in aviation and the skilled trades, we can get them engaged.
Kids are excited about how and why things work, and if we continue to encourage and inspire that through our recruitment efforts, we can build an aerial firefighting workforce that is ready when wildfire strikes, and when our communities need us the most.
Image: T41 Peter Incident Acton July 3 2023-3 Andrew Lewis – T41
