Recently I was driving through Montana and Wyoming and could see active forest fires burning off on the horizon. I could see people leaving the area because of the smoke. I could also see fire crews and firefighting pilots heading toward the fire to contain and put them out. I wondered what it might be like to fly aircraft working to extinguish these raging fires. I would soon get my answer.
This answer came in my chance to talk with an amazing young woman named Ashli Blain. At the age of 19, Ashli, EAA 1166835, is already flying as co-pilot in firefighting helicopters such as the massive CH-47 Chinook and legendary UH-60 Blackhawk at the Billings Flying Service based out of Billings, Montana. This family-owned business has been a staple in the community for more than 30 years.
“My love of airplanes started as a kid,” Ashli said. “I was around them a lot as my dad and uncle own Billings Flying Service. My dad was going to California on a business trip and I tagged along. While there I took a glider flight, and was just immediately in love.”
Ashli then decided to pursue glider training at 14 years old. “While I was just starting training the EAA Ford Tri-Motor came in on tour,” she said. “I bought a ride and had the chance to sit right seat in it. The pilot was a CFI and asked if I had a logbook and he would put it in there. I did not even have a logbook yet. When we landed, I ran to the FBO, bought a logbook, and he made the entry for me. The Ford Tri-Motor is my first entry in my logbook.”
Ashli got her private glider certificate at the age of 16. After hitting the books and studying she earned her private pilot certificate, both fixed and rotary wing, at the age of 17.
“My dad was cautious of me taking helicopter training and I made a deal that if I could find a good helicopter to use, I could do it,” Ashli said. “I found a wonderful Hiller 12C. I really loved this aircraft and we spent time in it herding cattle.”
Ashli then went on to the Bell 206. Not one to rest on her achievements, she kept going and earned her commercial and CFI at the age of 18.
“It was a ton of studying,” Ashli said. “It was worth the work, but I certainly felt like crawling into a ditch by the time I was done. I took thirteen checkrides in one year.”
Currently she is SIC in the CH-47D Chinook and UH-60 Blackhawk. Both aircraft hold special and different places in her heart.
“The Blackhawk is just a wonderful aircraft. Just easy to fly and really a great machine,” Ashli said. “I remember my first fire call in it with Dad. Ground units were calling for help and we were the only ones around. I said, ‘Dad this is it, let’s go.’ That would be a special day for me as my first time responding to a live fire.”
The CH-47D Chinook is one big helicopter. “I love the Chinook,” Ashli said. “It can just lift anything. We recently lifted a drill part which weighed in at 25,300 pounds! The parts are still being made for them so it is a very easy airframe to support.”
In all of the footage I had seen on television, flying into a fire looked intimidating. Ashli admitted there are challenges, but not ones that make the task insurmountable.
“It usually is not that bad,” Ashli said. “Depending on where you are dropping your eyes can get pretty irritated from the smoke, and if you are near the fire it can get pretty hot in the cockpit. The transmission of the Chinook can really help heat the flight deck up to temps sometimes around 110 degrees.”
The aerial firefighters work with a ground unit on where to drop their loads of either water or retardant.
“We don’t really dictate where we drop,” Ashli said. “Either firefighters on the ground or air attack will guide us to where they want us. We will drop on the edge of the fire or sometimes take a retardant out and drop way out ahead of the fire.”
The hours can be long. A twelve-hour shift can see the crews flying for as many as eight hours. During this time, one would certainly become close to the team you are working with. “The firefighting community is a small one so there is a definite family feel to it,” Ashli said.
Ashli is enjoying her time in the firefighting world and is not sure what adventures lay ahead, but in a time where we can all use some good news, Ashli certainly delivers.