Fire Tankers Often Grounded Due to Pilot Shortage: Cal Fire
These pilots fly S-2 tankers, two of which are based at the Ramona airport. Cal Fire confirmed a Sacramento Bee report that up to six agency aircraft have been grounded at once due to staffing shortages this fire season. According to the Bee’s report, an average of four of the state’s 23 tankers have been grounded on certain days in August due to a lack of trained, experienced and certified pilots. Retired military and commercial pilot Denny Breslin told NBC 7 it’s no surprise there’s a pilot shortage at Cal Fire. He said the demands of firefighting -- and this season’s relentless ...
Source: nbcsandiego.com