Spanish fire fighting

[glorifiedtaxidriver]

Just wondering if anyone knows who runs the firefighting operation in spain. Is it government or private? I'm in spain right now and might try and stop in.

[bob sacamano]

My info is a tad outdated, but it gives you an idea.

- Season is May to October
- CEGISA -> CL215
- Gestair -> Canadair (contract company)
- Saasa based in LECU. They fly Catalina and choppers
- Avialsa Valencia they operate AT-802s and Fire Boss
- FAASA Palma del rio have a few AT-802s.
- Cordoba there are a couple of AT-802 companys
- Delgado and Trabajos Aereos Espejo S.L.
- Towards Sevilla there is Martinez Ridao at Utrera.
- I hear some Canadians go to Spain, just not sure from which company
- Might want to pick up Spanish if you don't already know how to speak it.
- Not sure about your visa/EU status.

Below is a post I found off another aviation forum;

Think a lot about it! I´m Spanish airplane pilot working for an Spanish Firefighting company and things are like that (aproximately):
less than 500h tt impossible to work.
less than 1000h tt and 300h tt tailwheel/fires/spraying--- 800€/month and you look for everything (accomodation, expenses, etc...) yes, that is true.
between 1000h tt and 1500h tt --- 2000€/month and keep looking for accomodation.
1500h tt - 2000h tt. 2600 €/month and accomodation provided.
+2000h tt 700h in fires. 2600-4000€ month as copilot in multi crew airplane and housing provided. Captains (not less than 5 years in the company, and lots of flight time) between 5000 and 7000€/month.
You need:
-Permission to work, probably the company will help you if is interested on you.
-Type/class ratings: paid by the pilots in all companies, if less than 1500tt.
-AG rating: To pay for an authoritation to work in fires in Spain (Yes, to work ONLY in Spain) As usually said: Spain is different! 7000€ and only two FTO where you can do it. Maybe if you are experienced in Australia, your Spanish company pays for that training for you. Maybe.

I hope you find that info as useful, as I would like 3 years ago when I make the mistake to become a fire pilot in Spain. I´m thinking about moving to Europe or Canada. In Spain, no money and no flight time.

A bit of googling and you'll find what you're looking for.

[Driving Rain]

The 215T's and the 415's are squadrons in the Spanish Airforce part of 43 group or Grupo 43.
In 1980, the unit was transferred to the Central Air Command of the Spanish air force and became "Grupo 43." The Grupo is divided into four squadrons: Personnel, Materiel, Flight Operations and training, each under the command of a major.

[V1]

I was just doing some research and i didn't see anything requiring a JAA license just EU citizenship? Is this possible?
Is there anyone out there that has done this work? Please PM me. Yo hablo espanol es tengo EU passaporte.

[boilerplate49]

They have stuff that burns in Spain?