Basic Air Operations FT 113B

Spring Semester 2009

Great Basin College

Clint Mothershead

Elko BLM Fire and Aviation

775-748-4052

775-934-1127(Clint cell)

775-340-0719(Alec cell)

Email:

Office Hours: by Appointment

Any students needing accommodations should inform the instructor.

GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations.

GBC Web Site: http://www.gbcnv.edu/

Weekly Topics & Assignments

Date / Topics & Assignments
2/13 / Introductions, Syllabus, Course and Student Expectations
2/18 / No Class-Holiday
2/20 / Unit 1 Aircraft types and Capabilities
2/25 / Field Exercise
2/27 / Unit 2 Aviation Management and Safety
3/3 / Unit 3 Aircraft Missions
3/5 / Unit 4 Helicopter Take-Off and Landing Areas and Final Exam


Course Description:

Air Base Operations is designed to meet training requirements in the command, operations and planning sections of the Incident Command system (ICS). The student is introduced to a survey of aircrafts and theirs uses in wildland fire suppression activities with an emphasis in hazard recognition while working around aircraft. Meets or exceeds (NWCG S-270). [New course, not yet approved by NSHE]

Student Outcomes:

Upon completion the successful student will be able to describe safety procedures to be followed while flying in or working with agency aircraft, safety procedures for ground personnel during water/retardant drops and safety requirements for locating/constructing helispots. The successful student will also be able to describe the ICS (incident command system) criteria for typing of aircraft, procedures for pilot/aircraft certification, reporting of aviation mishaps, flight planning, flight following, loading cargo, transporting passengers, and emergency landings. The successful student will be able to describe how density altitude, ground effect and translational lift affect aircraft performance during tactical/logistical missions.

Text & Materials:

Basic Air Operations S-270 (NFES 2034)

Grading:

Categories / Percentage
Class participation, class exercises and quizzes / 50%
Final Examination / 50%

Quizzes & Test:

Quizzes may be unannounced, but tests will be announced at least one class period before they are given.

Class Participation:

Class participation is greatly encouraged. The student will be graded on class participation throughout the semester.

Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend all class meetings. Exceptions may be discussed with the instructor with suitable make-up activities agreed upon. The instructor assumes no responsibility for making sure you receive any course material for which you were absent.

Keeping up with the Class:

Students who are having difficulty should notify the instructor as soon as possible.

The Instructors:

Alec Goicoechea

Elko Helitack Squad Leader

Education:

I graduated High school in 1999 from Elko High. Then I attended Truckee Meadows C.C. where I graduated in 2005 with a Associates Degree in Fire Science Wildland Emphasis.

Fire Experience:

My first summer of fire was 1999, I worked for the Bureau Of Indian Affairs Type 2 Handcrew and I also worked for Ruby Mountain Fire Service which was a contract engine crew. In the summer of 2000, I accepted a seasonal job to work on a Bureau of Land Management(BLM) Engine crew located in Elko,NV. In 2001, I accepted a seasonal job to work on the BLM Ruby Mountain Hotshot crew located also in Elko. In 2002, I then accepted a seasonal job on the Elko BLM Helitack crew. In 2003 and 2004 I continued to work as a seasonal on the Elko Helitack crew. In 2005, I applied for and accepted a Career Seasonal position as a Senior Firefighter for Elko Helitack. In 2006, I applied for and accepted a Career Seasonal position as a Squad Leader for Elko Helitack. At this present time I am still a Squad Leader at Elko Helitack where I am enjoying all aspects of the fire aviation world.

Clint Mothershead

BLM Aviation Dispatcher

Education:

Graduated with honors from Elko High School in 1995. Attended Shasta Junior College in Redding, CA for 1 year. Attended GBC for 1 semester in 1996. Have taken numerous wildland fire courses over my 10 year career.

Fire Experience:

My first season as an wildland firefighter was in 1998. I was stationed in Carlin, NV for the BLM and served as an engine crewmember. In 1999, still in Carlin I acted as an Engine Operator on a Type 4 heavy engine. During the summer of 2000, I worked for Elko Helitack as an Helicopter Crewmember. In 2001 I accepted a career seasonal Engine Boss position, back in Carlin. I filled that role until early 2006 when I began working in Elko Interagency Dispatch Center. I worked the Initial attack desk in 2006 and in 2007 I was the aviation dispatcher. I also was an instructor @ the Nevada wildland fire rookie school in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

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