Pawnee national grassland

Edited by: Mark A Michelsen February 7, 2011

Mark Michelsen, Airtanker Base Manager

Reviewed by: Sandra Lafarr June 8, 2011

Sandra LaFarr, Regional Aviation Officer - or -

J. Kent Hamilton, Regional Aviation Safety Manager

Edited & Recommended by: Geoffrey J Bell June 6, 2011

Geoffrey Bell, Fire Management Officer / Forest Aviation Officer

Approved by: Glenn P Casamassa June 14, 2011

Glenn Casamassa, Forest Supervisor

6. Other aircraft assigned/operating in the area.

Introduction 5

Local Environment and Conditions 5

Responsibilities and Authorities 5

Area Airports, Helibases and Directories 7

Aircraft Certification and Qualification 7

Aircraft Availability 8

Pilot Qualifications and Certification 9

Pilot Briefings 9

Pilot Flight and Duty Limitations 10

Operating Procedures 10

Operational Policy 17

Ordering, Dispatching and Controlling Flights 19

Special Projects 20

Aerial Observer 20

Post Flight Procedures 23

Incident/Accident Reporting 23

Air Space Restrictions 24

Airtanker Base Operations 26

Helicopter Operations 26

Cooperator Requests 27

Inspections 27

Training 28

Computer applications 28

Aircraft Incident/Accident Action Plan 28

Supplemental Documents & References 29

2. Rapid deterioration of weather conditions.

3. Mountain Wave

4. Turbulence, up and down drafts, strong winds, wind shear, and thunderstorms.

5. Pressure Altitude
RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES
Are addressed in detail in the Forest Service Manual 5704, and interagency guides and plans.
1. Regional Aviation Officer, Sandra LaFar, 303-275-5740, Golden.
Regional Aviation officers are responsible for directing and managing regional and Area aviation programs in accordance with all applicable directives including Federal Aviation Regulations, the National Aviation Management Plan and National Aviation Safety Plan. These responsibilities include:

1. 
   Ensuring that Regional/Area and forest/station plans are supplemented and updated annually to ensure compliance with the current National Aviation Plan, written annually by the Washington Office Director of Fire and Aviation staff.
   
2. 
   Reviewing Project Aviation Safety Plans and Forest Aviation Plans, including cost comparisons, risk assessment and job hazard analyses.
   
3. 
   Ensuring compliance with aviation management and safety policies and procedures.
   
4. 
   Conducting safety evaluations of aviation operations.
   
5. 
   Coordinating with the Regional Aviation Safety Manager on aviation safety and accident prevention matters.
   
6. 
   Maintaining coordination with Forest Service Aviation Officers on Forest aviation matters.
   

2. Forest Supervisor Glenn Casamassa: 970-295-6600, SO, Fort Collins.

1. 
   Establish, administer, and manage national aviation resources assigned to the Forest and oversee an aviation program responsive to the Forest's needs in accordance with current direction.
   
2. 
   Supplement the Aviation Management Plan as appropriate.
   
3. 
   Ensure that projects and activities involving the use of aircraft are planned in advance by qualified personnel.
   
4. 
   Designate forest aviation officers (FSH 5709.16).
   
5. 
   Approve all aviation operations on the forest in advance of commencing operations. With the exception of Aviation Plans or related documents requiring line officer approval, this authority may be delegated. (See 5711.04)
   

3. Forest Aviation Officer Geoffrey Bell: 970-295-6631, Fort Collins.

Forest aviation officers are responsible for aviation activities at the forest level including responsibility to:

1. 
   Oversee aviation mission planning, operations, and risk assessment.
   
2. 
   Ensure compliance with aviation management, safety policies, and procedures.
   
3. 
   Provide input and follow-up to SAFECOMS involving aviation operations on the Forest.
   
4. 
   Conduct periodic safety evaluations of aviation operations.
   
5. 
   Evaluate aircraft effectiveness, including cost and utilization.
   
6. 
   Administer helicopter and fixed wing contracts and other aviation support contracts as needed. None exist on the ARF or the FTC Zone.
   
7. 
   Ensure that all Forest Aviation Plans and Project Aviation Safety Plans are supplemented, updated annually, reviewed, and approved at the appropriate management level.
   
8. 
   Coordinate with Regional Office aviation management as necessary.
   
9. 
   Coordinate Forest aviation training.
   

4. Airtanker Base Manager, Mark Michelsen: 303-439-0332, Broomfield.

The FTC Manager is responsible for ordering and dispatching aircraft, ensuring that flight plans have been made, flight following, coordinating aviation projects, and maintaining vendor aircraft and pilot agreements.

a. Keep the Forest Supervisor and Forest Aviation Officer informed concerning the existing use of aircraft and the need for aircraft services to accomplish District work.

a. All personnel requiring aircraft services shall place their order with FTC. All personnel are responsible for reporting any aviation activity observed which they believe to be done in a hazardous manner to the appropriate agency authority.

3. 
   Prepare Project Aviation Safety Plans in conjunction with FAO.
   

a. An FAA approved shoulder harness for each front seat occupant.

b. One or more FAA approved strobe lights.
4. Aircraft shall not be approved if engine time exceeds the manufacturer's recommended TBO. New or overhauled engines must accumulate three hours of operating time prior to USFS use. This time will include a minimum of two hours continuous flight time on the engine. In the case of a double engine change, each engine shall have a minimum of five hours flight time on that aircraft, at least two hours of which shall have been continuous.
5. All manufacturers' Mandatory Service Bulletins and Supplimental Type Certificates shall be complied with.
6. All maintenance records and other documents needed to verify data for aircraft approval shall be made available for the inspectors.
7. Single engine aircraft will not be approved for night or IFR operation. Certain night operations not involving passengers may be conducted at the discretion of the RAO or Zone Officers as outlined under OPERATING RULES. The pilot is the final authority as to the safety of the mission.
8. All aircraft flown on Forest Service or interagency missions within Region, refer to Region 2 Aviation Plan.
AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY
1. U. S. Forest Service

Currently, there are two USFS aircraft operated by the Aviation Group in the Rocky Mountain Region. They are based most of the year at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport in Broomfield, CO. The aircraft are available to other staff disciplines on request to the FTC dispatch Center. These aircraft are a Cessna 206 and a King Air 90 Leadplane.

The pilot will study local area maps and become familiar with hazards to flight such as towers, power lines, cables, mountainous terrain, and military low level training routes. District Fire Duty Officers (or Forest Duty Officer brief incoming / visiting aviation resources (helitack Crews) using the standard FTC-Zone briefing package, containing maps, organization charts, radio frequency lists, pocket cards and other pertinent fire operations information. The briefing packet is updated as needed, most recently in 2010.

The pilot is responsible for:
1. The safe accomplishment of the mission, security and condition of the aircraft and cargo, and the safety of the passengers.

2. Observing policies concerning operation of the aircraft, authorized passengers, and mission requirements.

3. Postponing, changing, or cancelling flights when he/she believes existing or impending conditions make them unsafe.

Forest Service management has mission control and authority to order the mission, delay or cancel the flight as deemed necessary. The pilot has the last say as to whether the mission can be accomplished safely. This is a team approach. The desired result is safe mission accomplishment.

Employees have the authority and responsibility to cancel or delay flight operations if they deem there are unsafe conditions or situations.
PILOT FLIGHT & DUTY LIMITATIONS
All pilots flying Forest Service missions will be limited to the following tours of duty. All flying, parts 135, 133, 137 and part 91 (including ferry flights) count towards that limitation.
1. Flight time will not exceed a total of 8 hours per day. Two pilot crews flying point-to-point (airport to airport, heliport to heliport, etc.) will be limited to 10 hours flight time per day. Pilots flying point-to-point who are also flying other Forest Service missions will be limited to 8 hours flight time per day.
2. Flight time will not exceed a total of 42 hours in any 6 consecutive days.
3. Pilots accumulating 36 to 42 hours of flying time in any 6 consecutive days will be off-duty the following full calendar day.
4. Within any 24 hour period, pilots will have a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off duty immediately prior to the beginning of any duty day.
5. Duty includes flight time, ground duty of any kind, and standby or alert status at any location.
6. During any 14 consecutive days, pilots will be off duty for 2 full calendar days. Days off duty need not be consecutive. A duty day is any day a flight is made or 4 hours or more of duty is performed.
OPERATING PROCEDURES
The following is intended as information to passengers / users: All operations, unless otherwise more limited, will be conducted in strict accordance with applicable FAR'S. Any violations will be reported to the Regional Aviation Safety Officer or Regional Aviation Offier.
1. PILOT AND AIRCRAFT USE. Only pilots and aircraft specifically approved and carded by the USFS or AMD will be used, and then only for those missions for which approved.
Dispatch will arrange for the plane and time, but it is up to the Fixed-wing Flight Manager to check for proper "N" number of plane, Forest Service aircraft card, and the pilot's Forest Service card. There are a number of different cards for both aircraft and pilot. These cards will be Issued by Aviation Management Directorate (AMD).
When checking aircraft cards, the expiration date and "N" number on the aircraft tail must match what the aircraft use is carded for and the inspectors signature. If you have any questions about the card or the plan, call FTC dispatch or the Forest Aviation Officer.
Pilot cards should be checked for expiration date, type of aircraft, type of authorized use, proper name, and type of flying, such as day and night, VFR and/or IFR.
Cards are not required for scheduled commercial airlines. Licensed pilots may not fly on official business unless approved by Regional Aviation Officer and carded.
The following types of aircraft will not be used by Forest Service employees for transportation:
a. Aircraft that are not carded.

b. Air tankers.

c. Aerial application aircraft - seeding, spraying.

d. Helicopters carrying a sling load.

e. Military aircraft - unless there is written approval from the Regional Aviation Officer.

f. Any aircraft that does not meet contract specifications.

If unsure of required aircraft, consult the FTC Aviation Desk or the Forest Aviation Officer. It is important to note that an aircraft may have seats for "x" number of passengers, but may not be able to carry all of the load due to performance capabilities. Ordering should be done at least a week or two in advance unless it is an emergency. Most aircraft are available on a first-come-first-service basis unless it is an emergency.