HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Pilot Jim Maxwell logged nearly 25,000 flight hours over five decades flying small planes in dangerous situations, from spraying to
In this image provided by Jason Maxwell, Jim Maxwell, an aerial firefighting pilot who died in a crash in Oregon in late July, is pictured with his Beechcraft Baron in Ronan, Mont., on Aug. 21, 2019. The cause of his July 25, 2024 crash is still under investigation, but fellow pilots believe reduced visibility due to smoke was a factor. HELENA, Mont.
Maxwell’s age would have precluded him from flying for a commercial airline, those pilots must retire at 65, but there are no age limits for firefighting pilots. With unmatchable experience and savvy, it is not uncommon for these aerial firefighters to keep working into their 60s and 70s. Some even fly after turning 80, said Ken Pimlott, former chief of the California Board of Forestry and Protection, or Cal Fire.
Being an aerial firefighter requires years of training and experience, and it’s a tough line of work to get into, so pilots and fire officials say it’s not surprising they continue working after most people are retired, as long as they can pass an annual physical that includes an electrocardiogram to test heart function. They also must maintain a commercial pilot’s license and participate in training.
“Jim was the last person we would ever thought that would have a problem like this, ever,” Yedinak said. SEATs also can land and refill at smaller airstrips closer to fires, rather than at the tanker bases required for larger planes, giving them quicker turn-around times.
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