Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide

157 Pages·2009·0.74 MB·English

Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide

NFES 2544
2009
National Interagency Aviation Council
3833 South Development Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83705

February 22, 2008

To: Agency Aerial Supervision Personnel, Aviation Managers, Dispatchers
and Incident Personnel.

From: National Interagency Aviation Council (NIAC)
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Indian Affairs
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Forest Service
National Association of State Foresters

Subject: Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Steering Committee (IASSC) chartered a
task group to annually revise, publish and distribute the Interagency Aerial
Supervision Guide.

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide has replaced the Interagency Air
Tactical Group Supervisors Guide, Interagency Leadplane Operations Guide,
and the Interagency Aerial Supervision Module Operations Guide.

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide, states, references, or supplements
aerial supervision policy and operational procedures for Bureau of Land
Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife
Service Forest Service, and the National Association of State Lands.

Federal employees engaged in aerial supervision activities will comply with this
guide as well as all other agency specific regulations and safety policy
documents.

/s/ Neal Hitchcock
NIAC Chair
Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction …………………………………………………….. 1
Goal ……………………………………………………………………... 1
Objectives ………………………………………………………………. 1
Scope ……………………………………………………………………. 1
Authority ………………………………………………………………... 1
Publication Mechanism …………………………………………………. 1
Review and Revision Schedule …………………………………………. 1
Chart: National Aerial Supervision Management Structure …………… 2

Chapter 2 – Roles and Responsibilities …………………………………….. 3
Air Tactical Group Supervisor …………………………………………... 3
Air Tanker Coordinator …………………………………………………. 3
Leadplane Pilot …………………………………………………………. 3
Helicopter Coordinator …………………………………………………. 3
Aerial Supervision Module …………………………………………….. 4
Chart: The Role of Aerial Supervision in ICS .....……………………….. 4

Chapter 3 – Administration, Training, Certification, and Currency ………. 5
Leadplane Pilot ………………………………………………………… 5
Definitions ………………………………………………………….. 5
Qualifications ………………………………………………………. 6
Training ……………………………………………………………... 6
Certification ………………………………………………………… 11
Currency ……………………………………………………………. 12
Leadplane Pilot Instructor ………………………………………………. 14
Leadplane Check Pilot ………………………………………………….. 15
Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) ………………………………. 16
Introduction …………………………………………………………. 16
Administration ……………………………………………………… 16
National and State ATGS Program Managers …………………… 16
GACC ATGS Representatives …………………………………… 17
ATGS Evaluator …………………………………………………. 18
ATGS Instructor …………………………………………………. 18
Initial ATGS Training and Certification …………………………… 19
ATGS Currency Requirements …….….……………………………… 21
ATGS Workshop Curriculum ……………………………………… 22
Aerial Supervision Module (ASM) ………………………………….. 24
Introduction …………………………………………………………. 24
ASM Positions …………………………………………………….. 24
Air Tactical Pilot ………………………………………………… 24
Air Tactical Supervisor ………………………………………….. 25
ASM Status, Ordering, and Identification …………………………… 25
Base of Operation …………………………………………………… 26
IASG 2009 Table of Contents
Flight and Duty Day Limitations …………………………………... 26
Crew Utilization …………………………………………………….. 26
Authorized Passengers ……………………………………………… 26
Training and Checks ………………………………………………... 26
Initial ATS Training ………………………………………………… 27
ATS Currency ………………………………………………………. 28
Post ATS Qualification Recommendations and Target Dates ……… 28
ATS Currency Training …………………………………………….. 28
Mission Currency Standards ……………………………………….. 28
ATS Instructor Requirements ……………………………………… 28
Check ATS/Cadre Requirements …………………………………… 29

Chapter 4 – Policies, Regulations, and Guidelines …………………………. 30
Retardant Operations in Low Ambient Light ……………………………. 30
Diagram: Airtanker Startup and Cutoff Regulations …………………… 30
Table: Incident Aerial Supervision Requirements ……………………. 31
Definitions of Key Aerial Supervision Terms …...………………………. 32
Instances when Aerial Supervision is not Required …………………… 32
SEAT Policy …………………………………………………………….. 32
Foreign Government Aircraft on U.S. Incidents ………………………… 33
Flight Condition Guidelines …………………………………………….. 33
Visibility ……………………………………………………………. 33
Wind ………………………………………………………………… 34
Thunder Cells ……………………………………………………….. 34
Air Attack Pilot Policy ………………………………………………….. 34
Pilot Approval ………………………………………………………. 34
Pilot Orientation and Training ………………………………………. 34
Mission Safety Briefing for the Pilot ……………………………….. 35
Personal Protective Equipment Policy ………………………………….. 35
Oxygen Requirements …………………………………………………… 35
Flight Crew Duty Day and Flight Hour Limitations …………………….. 36
Avionics Regulations ……………………………………………………. 38
Radio Requirements ………………………………………………… 38
Table Interagency Avionics Typing Standards …………………... 39
Minimum Operating Requirements …………………………………. 40
Communications Guidelines …………………………………………….. 40
Flight Following …………………………………………………….. 40
Air to Ground ……………………………………………………….. 40
Air to Air ……………………………………………………………. 41
Air Guard …………………………………………………………… 41
Air to Air Enroute Position Reporting ……………………………… 42
Airstrips Without Communications ………………………………… 42
Conflicting Radio Frequencies ……………………………………… 42
Tone Guards …………………………………………………………. 42
Air Resource Identifiers ………………………………………………… 42
Airspace Policy …………………………………………………………. 43
IASG 2009 Table of Contents
Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide ………………………… 43
Federally Designated Special Use Airspace ………………………… 43
Incident Airspace: The Fire Traffic Area (FTA) …………………… 44
Diagram: The Fire Traffic Area ………………………………….. 46
Temporary Flight Restriction ………………………………………. 47
Air Operations in Congested Areas …………………………………. 49
Use of Transponder Code 1255 …………………………………….. 49
Responses to Airspace Conflicts and Intrusions …………………….. 49
Special Use Airspace Reminders …………………...……………….. 50

Chapter 5 – Incident Aircraft ………………………………………………. 52
Airtankers …………………………………………………………………... 52
Table: Airtanker Classification ……………………………………… 52
Airtanker Retardant Delivery Systems ………………………………. 53
Helicopters …………………………………………………………… 53
Table: Helicopter Classification ………………………………………. 53
Helicopter Retardant and Suppressant Delivery Systems …………….. 55
Leadplane and ASM Aircraft ……………………………………………… 55
ATGS Aircraft …………………………………………………………….. 55
Table: Common ATGS Aircraft ……………………..……………….. 55
Helicopter Coordinator Aircraft ……………………………………………. 57
Smokejumper Aircraft …………………………….……………………….. 57
Table: Common Smokejumper Aircraft ………………………………... 58
Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) …………………………. 58
Military Helicopter Operations …………………………………………….. 62
National Guard Helicopter Operations …………………………………….. 62
Water Scooping Aircraft …………………………………………………… 63
Firewatch Aerial Supervision Platforms ………………………………….. 63

Chapter 6 – Suppression Chemicals …………………………..…………….. 65
Definitions ………………………………………………………………….. 65
Approved Long Term Retardants ………………………………………... 65
Long Term Retardant Ingredients ………………………………………….. 65
Fugitive Retardants ………………………………………………………. 66
Retardant Mixing Facilities ………………………………………………… 66
Airtanker Base Information …………………...…………………………… 66
Environmental and Wilderness Effects …………………………………….. 67

Chapter 7 – Aerial Supervision Mission Procedures ……………………….. 68
Aerial Supervision Procedures ……….……………………………….... 68
Pre-Mission Procedures ……………………………………….………. 68
Enroute Procedures …………………………………………………….. 70
Incident Airspace Management Procedures ….………………………… 72
Target Description ………………………………………….……... 73
Air Traffic Control .............................................................................. 79

IASG 2009 Table of Contents
Table: Standard Operational Altitudes and Patterns ……………………. 80
Post Mission Procedures …………………………………………………… 83
Emergency Procedures …………………………………………………….. 83

Chapter 8 – Aerial Firefighting Strategy and Tactics ……………………… 85
Aerial Fire Suppression Strategies …………………………………………. 85
Aerial Fire Suppression Tactics ……………………………………………. 85
General Tactical Considerations …………………………………………… 85
Initial Attack and Multiple Fire Operations ……………………………….. 87
Wildland Urban Interface Incidents …………………………………..…… 89

Chapter 9 – Tactical Aircraft Operations ………………………………….. 92
Low Level Operations (Lead/ASM) ………………………………………. 92
Lead/ASM Checklists ………………………………………………….. 92
Tactical Flight Profiles …………………………………………………. 92
Diagram: Show me Profile …………………………………………… 93
Diagram: Chase Position Profile …………………………………….. 94
Diagram: Lead Profile ……………………………………………….. 95
Airtanker Briefings …………………………………………………….. 96
Airtanker Operations ………………………………………………………. 99
Factors Influencing Drop Effectiveness …………………………………. 99
Retardant Coverage Levels ……………………………………………. 100
Table: Recommended Coverage Levels ……………………………… 101
Airtanker Drop Patterns ……………………………………………….. 101
Table: Heavy Airtanker Line Production …………………………….. 102
Ten Principles of Retardant Application ……………………………….. 102
SEAT Operational Principles ………………………………………….. 102
Airtanker Flight Routes ………………………………………………… 103
Helicopter and Helitanker Operations ……………………………………... 103
Helicopter Delivery Systems …………………………………………... 105
Helicopter Drop Patterns ………………………………………………. 105
Smokejumper Operations ………………………………………………….. 105
Helicopter Rappel Operations ……………………………………………… 106
Water Scooper Operations (CL-215/415) ………………………………….. 107

Chapter 10 – All Hazard Incidents ………………………………...………… 113
Air Operations Supervision ………………………………………………… 113
Table: Possible Uses of Aircraft by Incident ……………………………... 115

Chapter 11 – Safety …………………………………………………………… 116
Mitigating Risks ….. ……………………………………………………….. 116
System Safety ………………………………………………………………. 117
Table: System Safety Assessment for Aerial Supervision ………………… 118
Modifying Air Operations …………………………………………………. 128
Aerial Supervision Fire Orders …………………………………………….. 128
Aerial Supervision Watch Out Situations ………………………………….. 129
IASG 2009 Table of Contents
Chapter 12 – Job Aids and Resources ……………………………………….. 131
Required Job Aids for Lead/ASM …..…………………………………….. 131
Aerial Supervision Kit ……………………………………………………… 131
Recommended Job Aids …………………………………………………… 131

Appendix A – Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) Operations ………………… 133

Glossary ……………………………………………………………………….. 134

Abbreviations …………………………………………………………………. 145

User Notes …………………………………………………………………….. 146

On Line Aerial Supervision Reference CD

http://www.blm.gov/nifc/st/en/prog/fire/Aviation/aerial_supervision.html)

Task Books
Aviation Guides
Leadplane Information
Tanker Base Maps
Radio Programming
Aerial Supervision Forms
Checklists
Crew Resource Management
Tools

IASG 2009 Table of Contents
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IASG 2009 Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Introduction

1) Goal – To promote safe, effective, and cost efficient aerial supervision services in
support of incident goals and objectives.
2) Objective – Consolidate the Interagency Leadplane Guide, Aerial Supervision
Module Guide, and the Interagency Air Tactical Group Supervisors Guide into one
document which will:
a) Define the roles, responsibilities, and scope of each unique aerial supervision
position.
b) Eliminate redundancies between the three existing guides.
c) Reduce the occurrence of errors/discrepancies between the guides.
d) Enhance information sharing between Air Tactical Group Supervisors (ATGS),
Aerial Supervision Modules (ASM), Leadplane Pilots, Airtanker Coordinators
(ATCO), Air Tactical Pilots (ATP), Air Tactical Supervisors (ATS), and
Helicopter Coordinators (HLCO).
e) Provide a common interagency guide which can be utilized by all members of the
aerial supervision community.
3) Scope – This Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide is to be used by federal and
participating state agencies in the accomplishment of the numerous aerial supervision
roles as defined by the United States Incident Command System (ICS).
4) Authority – The Interagency Aerial Supervision Steering Committee (IASSC) is
responsible for the update and completion of this guide with oversight provided by
the National Interagency Aviation Council (NIAC). The National Fire and Aviation
Executive Board (NFAEB), with representatives from the USDI (BLM, BIA, NPS,
F&WS), USDA Forest Service and state representatives designated by the National
Association of State Foresters from the eastern and western states provides the
authority to develop this guide.
5) Publication Mechanism – The Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide will be
available through cache system as NFES 2544. Supplemental information will be
available online at www.aviation.blm.gov.
6) Review and Revision Schedule – Members of the IASSC (or designees) will review
the Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide on an annual basis. Revisions to the guide
will be made and disseminated annually to reflect significant changes in interagency
policy and procedures as they affect aerial supervision operations.

The following chart depicts the current national aerial supervision management structure.
IASG 2009 Chapter 1 - Introduction - 1 -
National Aerial Supervision Management Structure (2008)
NWCG
NIAC
IASSC
Leadplane/ATP Cadre ATGS Program Managers
LP/ATP Check Pilot GACC Representative
LP/ATP Instructor ATGS Evaluator
ATGS Instructor
ASM Cadre
Check ATS
ATS Instructor

Acronyms: NWCG – National Wildfire Coordinating Group
NIAC – National Interagency Aviation Council
IASSC – Interagency Aerial Supervision Steering Committee
ATS – Air Tactical Supervisor
ATP – Air Tactical Pilot
ASM – Aerial Supervision Module
IASG 2009 Chapter 1 - Introduction 2