Smoke in the cockpit, one-way canyon strips, and launching elite firefighters into burning wilderness — welcome to the world of a smokejumper pilot. In this episode of the Cleard Podcast, Drew sits down with Jordan Silver, a Forest Service pilot based in McCall, Idaho. Jordan shares what life is really like flying Twin Otters and a 206 for the nation’s smokejumpers — from long days at base, to rapid-fire launches into wildfire zones, to the camaraderie and culture of the fire aviation community. Whether you’re a pilot dreaming of fire operations, or just curious about what it takes to fly into the flames, this episode takes you into the TFR and right to the front lines of aviation.
