How to Become a Firefighting Pilot: Chris Daniell on Ag and SEAT Flying
From loading ag planes to fighting fires from the air, Chris Daniell on how the job works and how to get into it.
Chris Daniell moved to North Carolina to go racing. A call from his father changed his mind, and he became a pilot. In this episode, he explains how he got into aerial firefighting.
- 01Starting out by loading ag planes
- 02Struggles in instrument training
- 03How to become an ag or SEAT pilot
- 04Pay and future demand for firefighting pilots
- 05A day in the life fighting fires
- 06The threats firefighting pilots face
Getting started
Chris began by loading agricultural planes, and talks about timber season and his flight training, including what instructors shouldn’t do with a new IFR student.
Into firefighting
He explains how to become an ag or SEAT pilot, expected demand and pay, and which fires are hardest to fight.
Shared history
Chris and Justin trained together in Charlotte, including taking the ATP-CTP course.
Chris Daniell
Chris Daniell is a second-generation pilot who flies in the aerial firefighting industry.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a firefighting pilot?
Chris Daniell explains how to become an ag or SEAT pilot in this episode.
What is a SEAT?
A single-engine air tanker used in aerial firefighting.
