Resource Hub From left: VAI Western US Regional Representative Chuck Street joins pilots Josh Murphy, Paul Gottwig, Mike Sagely, and Ethan Jensen at the inaugural VAI/SoCal Rotors pilot career development town hall, Jun. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Don Kelsen Photo) Refilling the vertical aviation workforce pipeline remains a top priority for VAI. That’s why the association, in conjunction with the Southern California Rotorcraft Association (SoCal Rotors), is holding a series of town halls designed to help new and potential helicopter pilots prepare for careers in vertical flight. The inaugural event in the series, “The Fire Pilots: The Pathway to Becoming a Fire Pilot and Adventures Along the Way,” was held Jun. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles. Panelists included current aerial firefighting pilots who explained their duties and the best way to follow in their footsteps. Between 35 and 40 people attended the event. VAI Western US Regional Representative Chuck Street led the town hall, whose panelists were Paul Gottwig, Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations (LACFDAO) and VAI board member; Mike Sagely, LACFDAO and 2024 VAI Salute to Excellence Pilot of the Year; Ethan Jensen, LACFDAO; and Josh Murphy, Orange County (California) Fire Authority. The panelists emphasized the value of building flight time, encouraging audience members to gain experience in various sectors, such as utility operations, mountain flying, overwater operations, and longline and sling-load work. They also discussed the importance of developing night-vision goggles skills through operations such as medical transport. The four pilots advised attendees to be ready to move around the country to diversify their experience and qualifications for a range of fire service jobs. The group also recommended keeping detailed logbooks and stressed the importance of teamwork. Most helicopter flights in Southern California involve public service missions, and this town hall—as will future events—was a valuable resource for those interested in serving the public through aviation. “We have identified over 40 types of missions performed by helicopters and vertical flight aircraft,” says James Viola, president and CEO of VAI. “These town halls will provide a pathway for pilots into their desired industry segments.” Workforce development is critical for the vertical flight industry. “We still face a pilot shortage, and programs like this town hall generate interest in the profession. I appreciate everyone who volunteered to hold this event and encourage others to think about how they can contribute. We’re all responsible for spreading the word: we have an industry with great career opportunities that is looking for the right people to join us,” Viola adds. VAI will collaborate with SoCal Rotors to hold future town halls roughly every two months. The next event, tentatively scheduled for sometime in late September, will cover air ambulance operations, with additional topics to address airborne law enforcement and flying for the television industry. Other regional vertical aviation organizations, including flight schools and businesses, may contact VAI for information on producing their own town halls to promote workforce development. Contact ChuckS@verticalavi.org for more information.
