AgustaWestland AW139. Screenshot from the LAFD video.The Los Angeles Fire Department(LAFD) aviation program started in 1962 with one Bell 47. Today they have six helicopters, four AgustaWestland AW139’s and two Bell Jet Rangers. To work as a pilot with the Department, you can’t simply walk in off the street. The minimum qualifications are:
- Private helicopter license,
- At least 100 hours of flight time in a helicopter, and,
- Four years experience as a firefighter with the LAFD.
Screenshot from the LAFD video.After a pilot is accepted into the program they are shipped over to the Los Angeles Police Department aviation program where they receive training with 150 hours of flight time, a commercial license, and an instrument rating. If successful there, they go back to the Fire Department and get another 200 flight hours of training. Then there is additional schooling at AgustaWestland to fly their 139.
The video below has much more information.
