MAF Unit Aviation Plan / 2015

MAF Unit Aviation Plan / 2015

Malheur National Forest

Unit Aviation Plan

RevisedBy:

/s/ Eric J. Bush

Eric BushDate

Malheur NF, Unit Aviation Officer06/01/2015

Reviewed By

/s/ Kurt S. Kleiner

Kurt Kleiner Date

State Aviation Manager6/16/2015

Approved By

Steve BeverlinDate

Malheur National Forest, Forest Supervisor6/18/2015

The first element of command and control is people – people who gather information, make decisions, take action, communicate and cooperate with one another in the accomplishment of a common goal. David Festerling

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0AVIATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

2.0 PNW ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING

3.0 ADMINISTRATION

4.0 AVIATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT

5.0 AVIATION OPERATIONS

6.0 AVIATION TRAINING

7.0 AIRSPACE COORDINATION

8.0 AVIATION SECURITY

9.0 AVIATION FACILITIES

10.0 APPENDICES

(Appendices located in MAF Aviation Library:

O:\NFS\Malheur\Program\AviationMgmt-5700\Admin_Policy\Airbase\John Day Airbase\Unit Aviation Program)

Appendix 1 –Unit Aviation Mishap Response Plans

Appendix 2 – John DayAirbase Operations Plan

Appendix 3–SEAT Airtanker Base Operations Plan

Appendix 4–MAF Aerial Detection Guide

Appendix 5 – MAF Pilot and Aircrew Briefing Packet

Appendix 6 – Pre-Approved Aviation Missions –Programmatic Risk Assessments

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Chapter 1.0 - AVIATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

1.1Purpose

This unit plan supplementsthe National Aviation Safety and Management Plan (NASMP) and Pacific Northwest/ Alaska Aviation Safety and Management Plan (PNWAMP)to derive a comprehensive unit aviation planning document. It’s tiered directly to the NASMP by chapter and sub-chapter, with the goal of aligningthe Malheuraviation program with the policy, standards, and best practices established and documented athigher levels.

A tiered approach to aviation plans minimizesduplication and redundancy of information in regard to aviation policy and programmatic guidance, and allowsunit level plans to focus more specifically on local conditions,local capacity, and the coordinatedlocal execution of safe flight operations.

1.6Authority

This Plan is authorized by FSM 5711.04 and the National and Regional Aviation Safety and Management Plan.

The MalheurAviation Program, as described in this plan, is within the Line Officers delegation of authority to the Unit Aviation Officer (UAO) to provide aviation program administrative and technical oversight.

Line Officer Delegation of Authority Letter

The delegation is routed for current signatures any time there is a Forest Supervisor position vacancyfilled, and is electronically filed along withthe UAO position agreement documents in the MAF aviation library on the “O”- drive.

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Chapter 2.0 - AVIATION ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.4 Forest Aviation Staff

Forest Supervisor: The Forest Supervisor is responsible for all aviation activities on the Malheur National Forest. Responsibilities outlined in FSM 5704.6is delegated to the Unit Aviation Officer.

MalheurUnitAviation Officer: The Aviation Officer is designated by the Forest Supervisor, and is responsible for general oversight and guidance for all aviation operations being conducted on forest lands. This includes support to the fire program, resource programs (non-fire), and all administrative uses of aircraft.

In the event that the MAF UAO is not available, the following will serve as designated alternates for the unit listed. The MAF UAOis responsible toinform and brief designated alternates when handing offUAO responsibilities. The designated alternatesare:

Todd Gregory, Malheur NF,AssistantFire Staff Officer

Jeremy McIntoshMAF Rappel Program Supervisor

Joseph FanslerMAFRappel Program Supervisor

Anthony HernandezMAFRappel Program Supervisor

Some of the primary duties and responsibilities of the UAO position are the following:

1. Responsibility, and delegated authority, to stop any aviation activities that are unsafe, or are not being carried out within established agency policyand/or operating standards.

1. Delegated review authority of Low and Moderate complexity Project Aviation Safety Plans (PASP’s). See: Figure 4: PASP Review/Approval Criteria Ch 5.0.

1. Is primary contact for Regional Aviation Staffregarding aviation operations. Participates in annual aviation related workshops / meetings, and participates in local/regional conference calls, as scheduled.

1. Reviews unit SAFECOMS (form FS 5700-12), and coordinates with the Regional Aviation Safety Manager in determining appropriate follow up actions, and participates in Incident/Accident investigations, as requested.

1. Maintains coordination with other government agencies (National Guard, FAA), and cooperators (ODF, DOI) on aviation related operations that affect the unit(s).

1. Coordinates directly with forest dispatch offices on flight planning, air support, and planning needs that develop.

1. Provides unit in-briefing information, and is primary contact for IMT Air Operations Branch personnel when mobilized on forest incidents.

District Rangers: Several aviation related authorities reside with the District Ranger (sub-unit Line Officers), they include:

1. Approval authority (Signature) of unit Project Aviation Safety Plans (PASP’s), as necessary.

1. Approval authority (signature) for transportation of non-federal passengers on agency controlled flights. (Required form 5700-12 Day Trip Authorization);

1. Approval authority for non-agency employee Search & Rescue requests (Assistance to Co Sheriff’s);

1. Specific authorizations for the use of mechanized equipment within designated wilderness areas,if so delegated (i.e. aircraft landing approvals).

District Aviation Officers (DAO): The District Ranger will designate a District Aviation Officer (DAO) who will function as the primary aviation contact on the unit. The DAO is recognized as the District Fire Management Officer (FMO), unless otherwise formally designated. The following responsibilities are expected of District Aviation Officer's:

1. Is the initial contact on the unit for aviation related questions, and assists unit level personnel with flight operation planning.

1. Assigns qualified unit personnel to aviation related projects, and Identifies shortage aviation positions needing forest levelemphasis. Coordinates unit aviation training needs with the MAF UAO.

1. Provides a communication link from the unit level to the MAF UAO, and likewise, from the MAF UAO to district personnel for the dissemination of aviation technical and safety related information, policy and program updates, etc.

1. May officially supervise exclusive use contract personnel, or be designated as COR on aviation contracts, if qualified.

Dispatch Center Coordinators: The Dispatch Coordinator will have a thorough knowledge of aviation operations, and shall insure that dispatch operations involving the use of aircraft are staffed and supervised at appropriate levels. See: Chapter 3.14Dispatching, and Chapter 6.1 Aviation Training.

The following roles and responsibilities are assigned to the Dispatch Coordinator position at John Day Interagency Dispatch Center (JDIDC):

Dispatch Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Assures agency ordering procedures, flight tracking/flight following, and mishap response standards are being met.

1. Participate in the briefing and debriefing process with aircrews on forest aviation missions, and maintains operational coordination with other government agencies, and neighboring units on subjects involving aviation operations.

1. Initiates actions to order appropriate Aerial Supervision for complex aviation operations(Ref: Aerial Supervision Matrix, NW Mob Guide).

1. Initiates aviation mishap response actions as outlined in the unit Aviation Mishap Response Guide (AMRG). Ensures that seasonal updates to the unit AMRG are made and copies distributed to all permanent and temporary aviation bases.

1. Schedule all administrative flights on the forest and coordinates with the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) for the use of regional agency aircraft. Identifies/assigns qualified Flight Managers for all fixed-wing missions.

Aviation Project Managers: A Project Manager will be designated for all aviation projects on the forest. Project Managers are responsible to see that a PASP (non-pre-approved missions) or Mission Planning Sheet (pre-approved missions) are prepared for plannedflight activities (see: Ch. 5.0 Figure 4). The Project Manager is also expected to provide either direct supervision of project operations, if qualified, or provide oversight (assurance) that on-site supervision and staffing meets or exceeds agency policy.

Additional responsibilities include:

1. Ensure safety and project operational briefings are provided to all personnel involved with the project, including the pilot(s).

1. Ensure that project aviation activities are conducted in accordance with all applicable agency policy, regulations, and contract specifications.

1. Keep the UAO, DAO, or Contracting Officer briefed on daily project progress orrecord keeping, as specified, for flight activities pertaining to project work.

1. Insure Aviation Mishap Response plans are in place, and briefed to project support personnel assigned, and report aircraft accidents/incidents within required timeframes.

2.4 Forest Aviation Staff Continued:

John Day Airbase Manager: The John Day Airbase Manageris the MAF UAO and has responsibility for safety, management, and coordination/oversight of interagency aviation operations to includeall agency exclusive use and temporary aviation resources based/assigned atGrant County Regional Airport. The Airbase Manager is the COR for the bases (4) Exclusive Use aircraft, and supervises(3) Rappel Program Manager’s, SEAT Manager, and Fire Clerk personnel. The Airbase Manager is supervised by the Assistant Fire Staff Officer on the MAF.

Rappel Program Managers: The Rappel Base Program Manager’s(First-Line Supervisors) primary responsibility is for safety, management, and direct supervision of rappel program personnel, and for assigned Regional, National, or CWN helicopters temporarily assigned to primary bases. Rappel Program Managers are rappel spotters, contract ACOR’s and are directly supervised by the Airbase Manager.

Single Engine Air Tanker Manager (SEMG): The Single Engine Air Tanker Base Managers’ primary assignment is the safety, management, and supervision of the SEAT Base and associated ramp personnel The SEMG is supervised by the Airbase Manager. The MAF SEAT Manager also supports the ODF SEAT stationed at the FS SEAT Base as part of the interagency aviation program at the John Day Airbase.

Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS): A qualified ATGS is stationed in La Grande to staff an Exclusive Use Regional Air Attack Platform hosted by the Wallowa-Whitman NF. The La Grande ATGS is for sub-geographicaerial supervision support for initial attack and extended attack incidents, and is supervised by the PNW Light Fixed-Wing Program Manager.

Aerial Detection: The Oregon Department of Forestry, John Day Unit, contracts (1) light fixed-wing aircraft at the John Day Airbase for aerial detection. Coordination is necessary between the ODF and FS when ordering an ATGS for the ODF fixed-wing. The standard aerial detection route covers both ODF and FS lands. Orders for aerial detection missions are coordinated through the ODF dispatcher, John Day Airbase, and the ODF and FS duty officers. Established route information is on file at the airbase. John Day Dispatch and John Day Airbase maintain an on-call list of qualified Aerial Observers (AOBS).

Leadplane Pilot: A Leadplane Pilot may be temporarily pre-positioned to the John DayAirtanker base when aviation activity dictates the need. These pilots are officially assigned to the Deschutes National Forest (Redmond Air Group-RAG), with all administrative functions performed by RAG.

Figure 1: MAF Unit Aviation Organization - Contacts

Name / Title / Unit / Office Phone
Eric Bush / Unit Aviation Officer / MAF / 541-575-3371
Roy Walker / Forest Fire Staff Officer / MAF / 541-575-3103
Todd Gregory / Assistant Fire Staff Officer (Alternate UAO) / MAF / 541-575-3102
Teresa Youmans / Dispatch Coordinator / MAF / 541-575-3101
Joseph Fansler / Airbase Training Mgr. (Alternate UAO) / MAF / 541-575-3374
Anthony Hernandez / Airbase Operations Mgr. (Alternate UAO) / MAF / 541-575-3373
Jeremy McIntosh / Airbase Operations Mgr. (Alternate UAO) / MAF / 541-575-3376
Brandon Culley / FMO/District Aviation Officer / MAF/BMRD / 541-575-3406
Brian Bishop / FMO/District Aviation Officer / MAF/PCRD / 541-820-3802
Miles Hancock / UMF/WWF Unit Aviation Officer / UMF/WWF / 541-975-5418

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Chapter 3.0 - ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTION

3.1 General

All Forest Personnel: It is imperative that when employees consider the use of aircraft that they become familiar with federal/agency aviation policyand best practice guidelinesfor insuring safe efficient aircraft utilization. Personnel should solicit assistance from local unit aviation specialists when planning and carrying outflight activities when questions arise. Forest level primary contacts include:UAO, DAO’s, Aircraft Base Managers or Dispatch Coordinator’s.

Aviation Library - Electronic Documents / Records - “O drive” Filing Area

Electronic storing of Aviation Program files are located at the following O drive location: O:\NFS\Malheur\Program\AviationMgmt-5700\Airbase\Unit Aviation Plan

This filing area will serve as the designated aviation electronic library for the Malheur aviation program as a single point for storing documents specific to the MAFaviation program, including related policy letters, unit level plans, accident prevention information, and training references.

The MAF UAO will build the filing structure (folder naming convention) and be responsible for electronic filing and content. Future suggestions on filing area content, file creation or naming, and ways to enhance the use of the library should be directed to the MAF UAO. Additional regional documents are found in the SORO Library at

3.3 Aviation Plans

Forest Supervisors retain approval authority (signature) for the MAF Unit Aviation Plan and individual Base Plans listed as appendices.

The MAFUnit Aviation Plan is revised annually by the MAFUAO with a copy forwarded to the Regional Aviation Officer for review and inclusion into the SORO library. A forest level master copy of the plan will reside in the MAF aviation library filed on the O-drive, withcopies also filed with individual forest Fire Management Plans as required appendices.

Formal regional level review will take place anytime significant unit level policy changes are necessary, or on a triennial basis at a minimum.

Whenever a new Line Officer is employed on the Forest, his or her name and signature shall be added to the cover of this Forest Aviation Plan, and the plan will be re-issued

AviationBase Operating Plansshall be reviewed, and as necessary updatedby the rappel program managers, then submitted to the MAF UAO for review and signature before obtaining Forest Supervisor final approval/signature.

MAF UAO will coordinate review and signature gathering, all finalized base plans will be filed in the aviation library(O-drive), as Unit Aviation Plan appendices, and a copy delivered to Fire Management Staff in charge of the Fire Management Plan library.

3.4 Aircrew Orientation Briefing Package

See: UAP Appendix 5 – MAF Pilot Briefing Packet

3.7 Contracting

Forest Contracting Officer (CO): Forest level aviation contracts can only be initiated and approved by the Forest Contracting Officer. Note: All “Aviation Services” contracts require an approved PASP. “End Product” aviation contracts do not require a PASP. (See also: 3.10 End Product Contracts below).

Aviation Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): Aviation COR duties and responsibilities will be outlined in a Designation of Authority letter from the Contracting Officer for all Exclusive Use (EU) aircraft contracts, and field Project Inspectors (PI’s) may also be designated either by letter (for EU contracts) or sometimes assigned via the contract to which an aircraft manager is assigned (i.e. CWN scenarios).

3.10 End Product Contracts

Aviation “End Product” Contracts

FSM 5700 requires a pre-solicitation determination for aviation related contracts as either; “End Product” or “Flight Services”, and the UAO has the responsibility to coordinate with forest procurement offices (Contracting Officer) for adding this determination into the contract file.The importance of this pre-solicitation designation is for developing the appropriate contract clauses, specifications, and level of aviation oversight required by agency policy.(See: PNW Aviation Plan 3.10 and FSM 5711.2 - Exhibit 01 - End Product Exhibit)

Note:End Product COR’s/Project Inspectors are responsible for reporting End Product Flight hours to the UAO, at the conclusion of the project for aircraft use reporting purposes.

3.12 Cooperator Aircraft

When the Forest Service uses a State/local government owned and operated aircraft, authority for such usage, and any resulting cost reimbursements, will be specifically based on existing and supplemental Fire Operating Agreements.

Cooperator Aircraft Letters Of Approvals

Cooperating agency aircraft must be formally pre-approved by the Regional Aviation Officer. On the MAF this commonly applies to the ODF fixed-wing and helicopters and the Oregon Air National Guard helicopters. Any needed inspection/approvals (of aircraft and/or pilots) will be coordinated by the MAF UAO through the Regional Aviation Officer.

ODF Special Purpose Appropriations (SPA) Helicoptersand ODF Fixed-Wing– Requests and billings for the use of ODF helicopters and fixed-wing are guided by the Master Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement, Northwest Operating Plan found in Ch. 50 of the PNWCG Incident Business Guide and Supplemental(local) Fire Operating Plans.

3.14 Dispatching

Forest dispatch offices are the ordering point for all administrative and mission use flights, and as agency authorized procurement offices, will contact vendors and order/schedule and track all aircraft flight activities.

Administrative Flights- Ordering and Scheduling: Passengers will contact dispatch for assistance with the completion of required cost comparisons and/or authorization documentation as referenced in the Administrative Use of Aircraft - Desk Reference. Aviation users should be prepared to provide their dispatch office(s) with the following information:

• Passengers by names, weights, and weight of cargo.
• Identification of designated Flight Manager.
• Requested flight date(s) and time(s).
• Point of flight departure, pick up points, and final destination.
• Identify whether the flight is one way or round trip.
• Accounting charge numbers, Job Code (s).
• A Day Trip authorization (5700-12) form approved by a Line Officer for any non-federal passenger(s)

Flight requests should be placed at the earliest possible time to allow for adequate ordering and flight planning time. The dispatch office will provide the ordering person with a flight confirmation as soon as final arrangements have been made.