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Associated Aerial Firefighters has established an award for leadership, dedication and having a profound effect on safety in Aerial Firefighting. Named for Walt Darran, a pioneer and leader in advancing aerial firefighting, The Walt Darran Award provides a lifetime membership to Associated Aerial Firefighters.

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Forum, News, Articles

The Fed Side

May 11, 2013 By 1 Comment

Lead Planes We take a lot of things for granted in our world. In 2004 most of the federal pilots flying large airtankers in the U.S. took their jobs for granted until a fax appeared at the offices of the various contractors saying their contracts … [Continue reading]

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12 Annual Ron Thomas Memorial AAPMTF Benefit Golf Tournament

May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Come join us for the 12th Annual Ron Thomas Memorial AAPMTF Benefit Golf Tournament!!!! The tournament will be held Friday May 24th, 2013 at San Geronimo Valley Golf Course in San Geronimo, CA. Please see the EVENT FLYER for more details on … [Continue reading]

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USDA Intent to Award NextGen Airtanker Contracts announced

May 7, 2013 By 1 Comment

U.S. Forest Service issues notice of intent to award “Next Generation” airtanker contracts WASHINGTON, May 6,  2013 -- U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced  today that the Forest Service has issued a notice of intent to award contracts  … [Continue reading]

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Pilot Application Requirements for la Sécurité Civile, France

May 1, 2013 By 1 Comment

In France we have several types of pilot contracts: 1) To apply for water bomber captain : - less than 43 years old at the 1st of January of the year you will sign the contract (not the evaluation year), - airplane commercial pilot license, IFR … [Continue reading]

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A Brief Observation of the Status of Aerial Firefighting in Europe

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

As an exhibitor and presenter at the recent Aerial Firefighting Conference held in France it was interesting to observe where aerial firefighting has gone in Europe and the Mediterranean region over the last couple of years since I was in Spain in … [Continue reading]

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The Fed Side

April 24, 2013 By 2 Comments

Near Miss How do you write about a near miss? Let’s see; there I was. No, that’s been done before. How about just the facts. Well, there we were. Lowell had just called V1 so we were committed to fly when I saw the glider. It appeared from the … [Continue reading]

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AHSAFA Questions Proposed State-Owned Airtanker Fleet

April 22, 2013 By 1 Comment

Washington, DC...April 22, 2013...The American Helicopter Services And Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) has questioned a proposal by the Colorado Senate to establish a state-owned and operated aerial firefighting fleet. The legislation, which … [Continue reading]

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Safety Sells

April 18, 2013 By 1 Comment

Safety, as it pertains to management of risk, plays a very important role in the progress of aviation business. Taking a proactive role with risk, by mitigating or eliminating exposure, has a significant effect on limiting loss of life and property, … [Continue reading]

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Wisconsin in Chico

April 18, 2013 By 1 Comment

By LAURA URSENY-Business Editor, ChicoER.com AIRSPRAY Chico manager RAVI SAIP talked to Chico City Council's Economic Development Committee last week, introducing himself and his operation. Airspray is a Canadian firm that flies and leases out … [Continue reading]

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The Fed Side III

April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s February 2013 and tanker 48 is back on-the-job. We’re currently hanging in Porterville where I’m trying to reconstruct the balance of last season. It’s like déjà vous all over again; as I recall we left Casper Wyoming July 30th and headed to our … [Continue reading]

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