Smokejumper Pilot

The Job

Bighorn Airways is hiring experienced pilots for the 2027 smokejumper season. The work supports U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management contracts in the Lower 48 and Alaska.

What You Will Do

This is demanding, hands-on flying. Pilots operate large aircraft at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and changing weather. Assignments include:

• Transporting and dropping smokejumpers in remote locations


• Low-level para-cargo drops


• Operating large aircraft at slow airspeeds


• Flying in mountainous terrain and challenging weather conditions


• Point-to-point flights under IFR

We are looking for pilots with good judgment, solid crew coordination, and a strong low-level flying background. Agricultural aviation experience is preferred. The right candidate will be professional, easy to work with, and comfortable operating in remote locations for extended periods.

Minimum Experience

•  ATP certificate or ATP written examination completed

•  5,000 hours total flight time

•  2,000 hours in airplanes

•  500 hours multi-engine

•  100 hours PIC at night

•  75 hours PIC instrument

•  1,000 hours PIC cross-country

•  250 hours PIC in large aircraft over 12,500 pounds

•  500 hours PIC turboprop

•  200 hours of low-level flight below 500 feet AGL

•  500 hours in mountainous terrain below 2,500 feet AGL

•  100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months

What We Look For

• A safety-first approach


• Sound judgment and situational awareness


• Clear communication and strong customer-service skills


• A positive, professional attitude


• The ability to work well with others during extended assignments


• Flexibility as schedules, locations, and operating conditions change

About Bighorn Airways

Bighorn Airways is a diversified aviation company operating a fleet of aircraft supporting U.S. Government smokejumper and para-cargo missions in Alaska and the lower 48 states, as well as overseas operations. As a DoD-approved air carrier, Bighorn Airways has built a strong reputation for reliability, safety, and operational excellence over more than five decades in Wyoming and the Inter-Mountain West.

Compensation and Benefits

• Excellent pay


• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance


• Supplemental insurance options

How to Apply

Please submit a resume that clearly lists your total flight time, PIC time, aircraft experience, low-level experience, mountain-flying experience, and flight activity during the past 12 months.

Apply Here

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bighorn Airways, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Bighorn Airways, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants whose sincerely held religious beliefs require accommodation, consistent with applicable law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact [insert HR contact information].

Employment is subject to verification of certificates, ratings, flight experience, recency, and applicable company, customer, FAA, and contract requirements. This position is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.