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Air Attack Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KBR, Inc.

AH-64E Instructor Pilot

Killeen, TX · On-site

S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense ... Our foreign military aviation training activity builds lethal attack helicopter units through ...

KBR

AH-64E Instructor Pilot

Killeen, TX

S. Army programs, specializing in aviation and ground systems, integrated air and missile defense ... Our foreign military aviation training activity builds lethal attack helicopter units through ...

Army National Guard Units

$131K - $171K/yr

... air; air-to- ground; mortar-to-arm escort; surveillance; reconnaissance; surface attack; killer ... Experienced in piloting manned or unmanned aircraft. Experiences may include the traditional "stick ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot (PT) - El Paso

El Paso, TX

... Air Defense Anti-Aircraft Warfare) and Close Combat Attack Sorties (CCAS). This role will involve ... Pilot in Command, Instructor Pilot, or Stan/Eval Flight Examiner. * FAA Class II medical rating.

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Air Attack Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do air attack pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for air attack pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Air Attack Pilot position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Air Attack Pilot, you need a commercial pilot license (CPL) or higher, strong flying proficiency, and experience performing low-level aerial operations in challenging conditions. Familiarity with specialized firefighting aircraft, mapping software, communication radios, and wildland fire management systems is critical. Excellent decision-making, situational awareness, clear communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help pilots excel in this demanding role. These skills ensure the safety, coordination, and effectiveness of aerial firefighting missions where precision and teamwork are crucial.

What does a typical workday look like for an Air Attack Pilot during fire season?

During fire season, an Air Attack Pilot's day often begins with briefings on weather, fire behavior, and mission objectives, followed by pre-flight checks and coordination with ground and aerial teams. Once assigned to a fire, you will fly above the incident, directing air tankers and helicopters, relaying critical information to ground crews, and continuously assessing safety conditions. Work hours may be irregular due to the unpredictable nature of wildfire activity, and swift responses are often required. You'll collaborate closely with incident commanders, dispatchers, and fellow pilots to effectively manage aerial support. This dynamic work environment requires adaptability, teamwork, and a strong commitment to safety.

What does an Air Attack Pilot do?

An Air Attack Pilot is responsible for directing aerial firefighting operations from the air, coordinating water and retardant drops, and ensuring the safety of ground crews. They work closely with incident commanders and other aircraft to manage fire suppression efforts effectively. Their role requires excellent situational awareness, strong communication skills, and extensive training in wildfire behavior and aviation operations.

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Air Attack Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Air Attack Pilot job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Large Airtanker Pilot - C-130 IA Captain

Coulson Aviation

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 hours ago

Job description

Large Airtanker Pilot – C-130 Initial Attack

Coulson Aviation

When wildfires ignite, you’re among the first in the air.

Coulson Aviation is seeking exceptional C-130 Initial Attack Airtanker Captains to join our world-class aerial firefighting team. If you bring prior C-130 PIC experience or are USFS Initial Attack (IA) carded as an Airtanker Captain, this is your opportunity to fly one of the most powerful and capable aerial firefighting platforms in service today.

This is a mission-critical role supporting rapid initial attack wildfire suppression, complex fire environments, and large-scale coordinated aerial operations. If you thrive in high-tempo operations, precision low-level flying, and dynamic multi-aircraft environments, this is where your experience truly matters.

Why This Role Matters

Initial attack saves forests, communities, and lives.
As a C-130 Initial Attack Pilot, your decisions and execution in the first hours of a fire can change the outcome entirely. You’ll be entrusted with one of the most capable firefighting aircraft in the world, operating at the sharp end of wildfire response. Supporting ground firefighters is our passion, and we need you to help us help them—so together, we can protect our communities and our state and national forest lands, not only here at home, but internationally as well

The Mission

Conduct time-critical wildfire response missions delivering retardant with our specialized water/retardant dropping tanking systems in the most challenging terrain and congested airspace environments you’ll see as a professional aviator. You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Air Attack, ground resources, and agency partners to slow fire growth when it matters most.

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute initial attack aerial firefighting missions in the C-130 Airtanker with precision, discipline, and professionalism
  • Operate at low level in mountainous and high-threat environments in accordance with approved SOPs and tactics
  • Coordinate closely with Air Attack to manage complex, congested fire traffic areas
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational hazards while actively supporting the Safety Management System (SMS)
  • Maintain aircraft and crew readiness for rapid deployment during peak fire activity
  • Complete flight logs, mission records, and required operational documentation
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of wildfire tactics, SOPs, and operational procedures

Qualifications

Required

  • FAA ATP, or FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating appropriate to C-130 operations
  • 2,000+ hours total flight time
  • 1,000+ hours of multi-engine experience
  • 500 hours of IFR experience

Preferred

  • 4,000+ hours total flight time
  • Previous C-130, LAT, or VLAT experience
  • Initial Attack aerial firefighting experience
  • Low-level tactical flying in complex or mountainous terrain
  • Multi-crew, crew-resource-management–intensive cockpit experience

What Sets You Apart

  • Exceptional CRM, threat and error management, and sound aeronautical decision-making
  • Calm, decisive communicator under pressure
  • High situational awareness in rapidly evolving fire environments
  • Safety-driven, mission-focused, and ready for on-call deployment during peak fire seasons

Ready to be first over the fire?

Apply now and join the front line of aerial wildfire suppression with Coulson Aviation.