✈️ The Cycle of Readiness 🔥 For CAL FIRE Aviation, there is no off-season—only a continuous cycle of preparation and response. While you might see less fire response during the winter and spring, these months are the busiest for the CAL FIRE Aviation Training Center (CATC) and the Aviation Headquarters maintenance teams. To ensure the fleet remains mission-ready, essential maintenance is conducted year-round both in the field and at headquarters. While base mechanics look after aircraft stationed in the field to maintain daily operational status, the winter and spring months bring the primary maintenance focus back to Aviation Headquarters. Aircraft return to HQ for comprehensive annual maintenance and meticulous safety inspections. Maintenance teams then put the aircraft through rigorous test flights to certify airworthiness before releasing them back to the field. Although training is a daily requirement, the winter and spring months provide a window for crews to return to th...