UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
LOCAL UNIT
AVIATION OPERATION
PLAN
PLAN*FOLLOW POLICY*INFORM*COORDINATE*TAKE ACTION
TABLE OF CONTENTSPage
1.0Purpose
2.0Organization
3.0Aviation Management Activities
4.0Safety and Risk Management
5.0Contract Administration
6.0Aircraft Manager Responsibilities
Appendices
Appendix A; General Base Information
Appendix B; Helicopter Base Plan
Appendix C; SEAT Base Plan
Appendix D; As required
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UNIT AVIATION PLAN / 20101.0 Purpose of this Aviation Operation Plan
The intent of this aviation plan is to align local unit aviation planning and operations with national and regional/statepolicy and direction. This plan is designed to accompany and supplement the USFS and BLM National Aviation Plans (NAP) and the Pacific Northwest Aviation Plan (PNW)to derive one complete planning document.
Authority for this plan is contained in a master Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement between the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS).
Program Overview
The XXX National Forest and or XXXBLM District aviation activity involves X# agency and contracted aircraft and approximately X# flying hours per year. Fire (or in some cases Resource/LE) operations account for the majority of aviation activity. The Unit Aviation Plan is reviewed and updatedannually. The aviation programs contained in this plan are all within the scope and expertise of the Unit Aviation Staff to implement.
2.0 Organization and Staffing
See the NAP for standard line, fire and aviation positions
Local Staffing
Fire Management Officer(Add names)
Assistant Fire Management Officer
Unit Aviation Officer
Assistant Unit Aviation Officer/ATGS
Helicopter/Rappel Program Manager
Assistant Helicopter/Rappel manager
National Type 1 Helicopter Manager
SEAT Manager
(Add positions as necessary)
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UNIT AVIATION PLAN / 2010Personnel Management
Qualifications, Standards, and Certification
All personnel shall meet the training and experience requirements as per the respective agency.
3.0 Aviation Management Activities
Operational planning for all aviation activities will incorporate System Management Safety. All aviation projects will be reviewed by the Unit Aviation Officer to assure conformance with Forest Service and or BLM policy. Aviation plan review and approval will follow the process as defined in the Northwest Aviation Management Plan.
Point-to-Point Flights
See the NAP
Mission Flights
See the NAP
Aerial Observer Operations
All USFS Aerial Observer will meet the requirements as identified in 5109.17 and IAT. There is no requirement in 310-1, therefore BLM and USFS personnel will adhere to the PNW aerial observer training and certification process.
LE Operations
See the PNW Aviation Plan
Aircraft
Government owned/leased aircraft at Redmond include; two C23 Sherpas, one Cessna 206and two King Air Leadplanes . These aircraft are operated and managed by the Regional Aviation Group. Consult the Northwest Mobilization Guide for the requirements for ordering these resources.
Contract and Rental Agreement Aircraft
Aircraft approved for use in the USFS or AMD database may be utilized for fire, resource and LE operations.
Exclusive Use Aircraft
Example; A unit type 3, a regional type 2 and a national type 1 helicopter are staged at airport X. A Cessna 337 ATGS platform is staged at Airport X.
Additional approved aircraft resources are available through the Aviation Management Directorate(AMD) and USFS Aircraft and Pilot source lists.
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UNIT AVIATION PLAN / 2010Each aviation manager will submit a yearly summary of hours flown and cost of aircraft to the Unit Aviation Officer. These reports are due at the end of the fiscal year.
Aircraft Ordering, Scheduling, Dispatching and Tracking
Administrative and SES Flight
Ordering and Scheduling: Referto the PNW Aviation Management Plan.
Ordering and Scheduling
All fire, resource and LE aircraft will be ordered and scheduled through the unit dispatch center.
Tracking of Aircraft
Reference the NAP.
The dispatch center is responsible for tracking all aircraft operating on the unit. Tracking of aircraft on project fires is a joint venture between the Dispatcher, the IC, the Air Tactical Group Supervisor assigned to the incident.
Aircraft operating on job contracts will not be tracked through the dispatch center. However; dispatch should be informed of these operations, and provide this information to other aircraft operating in those areas.
Communication
See the NAP.
Aircraft will communicate on the unitcommand frequencies. Mission aircraft will flight follow (15 minute checkin or AFF) with dispatch. They will monitor the published command frequencies, air-to-air and Air Guard. Aircraft may be assigned atactical frequency for a specific event.
In the event communications are lost during mission operations, do not continue the mission. Return to the departure base or land at the nearest approved landing area for your type aircraft and checkin with the dispatch by telephone.
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UNIT AVIATION PLAN / 2010Aircraft utilized for Point-to-Point flight operations typically do not have FM radios. It is the Flight Managers responsibility assure the pilot has filed the appropriate FAA flight plan and to inform dispatch prior to departure and as soon as possible after landing.
Justification, Financial Management, Process and Reporting
Justification
Fire aircraft utilization is established through preplanned dispatch blocks, IC/on-scene requests and/or the experience of the supervisory dispatcher for initial attack response. When the Forest Service/BLM uses a State/local government owned and operated aircraft and reimburses the State/locality for that service, certification that the use was necessary to respond to an imminent threat, and that no service by a private operator was reasonably (based on the situation at the time) available to meet the threat, is required. Reference; OMB Circulars A-11, A-126 and A-123, 351 DM 4, the economy act of 1932 31 USC 1535 and 1536, DOI Manuals 347 DM 9, OPM 06-53, Public Law 106-81, the BLM National Aviation Plan 3.4, and the USFS 5700 Manual.
Financial Management
The manager assigned to a particular aircraft is responsible to work with the pilot to complete appropriate flight invoice documentation. The Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or Project Inspector (PI)is responsible for informing contract and rental agreement pilots of payment procedures.
All aircraft contracts will be developed through Forest/District Contracting, (BLM) AMD, or (FS) through the regional contracting officer. Aircraft specifications, rates, inspections, etc. will be specified by (USFS, AMD & BLM) Contracting Officer’s, (BLM) AMD, USFS (RAG) and Aircraft Inspector’s.
End Product Contracts will be developed as specified in the PNW Aviation Management Plan,as per BLM and USFS policy.
Reporting
Flight invoice data will be input into the Aviation Business System (ABS) and (if activated) Aviation Management Information System (AMIS). This shall be completed in a timely manner and transmitted for upward reporting not later than the 1st and 15th of each month.
Consult FSM 5717.22 and the BLM NAP for information regarding flight hours and costs reporting of job contracts.
Project Aviation Safety Planning
See the NAP and PNW Aviation Plan.
All Resource, Law Enforcement and Fire project aviation operations/mission flightsshall be planned for in advance on a PASP.Operations will not commence without; appropriate review from technical specialists, UAO review and line officer approval. The PNW Project Aviation Safety Plan (PASP) shall be utilized.
BLM Line Officer approval shall consist of: 1st, the District Manager, 2nd, the Associate District Manager, 3rd, the Area Managers. No other entity is designated by the District Manager as approved to sign the PASP for BLM aviation operations.
ForestLine Officer approval shall consist of: 1st, the Forest Supervisor, 2nd, the District Ranger’s. No other entity is designatedby the Forest Supervisor as approved to sign the PASPfor aviation operations.
Line officer approval is also required to utilize aircraft while supporting wilderness fire operations.
4.0 SAFETY & AVIATION ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM
See the NAP and PNW Aviation Plan
Accident/Incident Reporting
Aviation incidents and accidents should be reported as per national policy.
Hazard Maps
A hazard map for the PNWarea is available through the regional GIS office. Hazarddata for each unit will be updated annually by the respective UAO. A unit hazard map will be maintained at each air operations facility for review by flight crews.
Airspace Coordination
See the NAP
All special use aviation activities will follow policy established in The Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide. The dispatch center will provide contact with the military controller, the airspace coordinator, and the project manager.
Forms, Reports, and Administrative Procedures
All required agency forms and reports will be utilized. A daily diary, the aircraft invoice and pilot hour log shall be completed each day.
5.0 Contract Administration
See the NAP
The PNW Aviation Contract Officer contracts for all rotorcraft fixed wing aircraft assigned on Exclusive-Use and/or Call-When-Needed USFS contracts. AMD contracts all exclusive use- and on-call aircraft
USFS CWN contracting issues will be handled by the contracting officer at the Redmond Air Center. DOI ARA contracting issues will be handled by AMD contracting officials.
Aircraft managers will administer the contracts as per the individual contract associated with the aircraft.
Timekeeping Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each aircraft manager to develop records of all flight activity (daily diary), pilot duty times, extended and aircraft availability
Flight Payment Documents
All aircraft managers are responsible for completion of ABS (USFS) or AMS/OAS-23 (DOI) Aircraft Use Reports. Aircraft use reports will be submitted each day for single day operations and as per USFS ABS and DOI AMS direction.
When transient aircrews remain overnight the dispatch Center (COIDC) can/will arrange for transportation and lodging. The dispatch center phone number is…………..
Lodging and meals will be paid by the aircrew members.
Contractor aircrew members may be transported in Government vehicles to and from lodging and eating facilities. They may not operate Government Vehicles.
Availability and Stand-by Requirements
Pilots and crews are expected to respond in reasonable time frames. Dispatch/Reaction time should average 15-20 minutes in length when the aircraft is based @ Prineville.
All pilots are expected to stop an operation if safety could be compromised. Pilots should not try to “please the customer” at the expense of safety. The pilot will be supported for terminating a flight due to safety concerns.
6.0 Aircraft Manager Responsibility
The Aircraft Manager is responsible for the overall operation and to ensure all agency policies are adhered too. The manager shall work with the pilot as team to accomplish agency objectives. The manager shall insure aircraft and pilot status is in compliance with the contract and to insure the pilot is aware of his or her readiness status. The manager will inform dispatch of any changes in aircraft or pilot status.
Base Availability Period
Operation times for the AO, aircraft and pilot will be stipulated by the Center Manager or Fire Management. Depending on local fire activity, duty hours may be extended after the indicated operational base time, with payment for standby according to contract/agreement specifications.
Unavailability
As per the aircraft contract stipulations.
Standby
Standby will be paid according to the contract/agreement.
Status at the End of the Mission
At the end of each mission, the assigned manager will inform the Pilot if he/she is in one of two modes and will document this information on the Daily Diary:
Standby: Remain at the Base (Paid status).
Released: Cannot be called back until the next day.
(Pilots must have 10 hours of uninterrupted rest.)
Mandatory Days off Schedule
Mandatory days off for the manager will correlate to whatever the fire agencies latest policy is
with regards to agency personnel and or fire management direction. This is not to be misconstrued that the maximum allowed time span will be the normal schedule. Pilots will follow the standard federal (BLM and FS) agency pilot guidelines.
Aircraft Maintenance
Maintenance scheduling will be conducted with as much notice as possible. It is recognized that there will be unscheduled maintenance. The aircraft manager should immediately notify the dispatch center of any change in status.
Unscheduled maintenance where the aircraft is taken out-of-service but still remains available will be requested for approval by the pilot. All out-of-service issues will be dealt with according to the contract and by involving the USFS mechanic (at RAG) or AMD depending on the contract, to approve the return to availability after maintenance.
Communications
Dispatch may be contacted via FM radio on any of the local unit frequencies listed in the PNW Communications Guide. The following agencies are represented at the dispatch center.
BLM District (Insert name)
US Forest Service (Insert name) National Forests
Phone List
See the local or PNW Phone directory
Airport Advisories
Airport X
Airport frequency 122.8
Control Tower frequency for Airport traffic is VHF-AM 124.50
AWOS 119.02
Ground 121.80
Air-to-Air Tactical Communications
Air-to-air communications are assigned in two ways:
By dispatch upon dispatch of or request for aircraft resources.
By the Air Tactical Group Supervisor, who will evaluate multiple-fire situations and adjust VHF-FM frequencies assigned by COIDC accordingly. It is critical that any frequency changes be communicated to all involved.
VHF-AM Air-to-Air Frequencies
See the PNW Communications Guide
The Primary AM frequencies will be assigned to all tactical aircraft orders and missions until such time as the Air Tactical Group Supervisor or Helicopter Coordinator determine that the secondary or tertiary frequencies should be utilized to avoid “bleed-over” among adjacent incidents. This information must be relayed to dispatch so that all subsequent orders will reflect the frequency changes.
VHF-FM Air-to-Ground or Tactical Frequencies
The VHF-FM frequencies for air-to-ground frequencies are located in the PNW Communications guide.
In critical cases where immediate communications with other aircraft must be established, the air guard frequency of 168.625, Tone 110.9, will be utilized. However, use of this frequency should be limited due to the possible interference with nearby air tactical operations.
Other Communication Issues
Mutual aid and on-scene frequencies may be used. Dispatch will inform the aircraft manager of these frequencies.
The frequency that aircraft may be contacted within a TFR is published on the TFR information sheet. It is the responsibility of the aircraft manager to avoid the TFR’s and to communicate with aircraft within the TFR if it is necessary to fly in close proximity to the TFR.
Parking Procedures
Atairport X
Utilize the east ramp for aircraft parking. Do not utilize the area close to the FBO office.
(Refer to the ……. Base Ramp Plan for detailed information)
Fueling Operations
Fueling is the responsibility of the Pilot.
Contact the FBO @......
Alternate Base Locations
It is feasible to locate the variousaviation platforms at many of the local airports. Depending on activity, working from alternate bases will occur when the need dictates.
Dispatch Procedures
The assigned aircraft manager shall inform dispatch of aircraft status and changes as they occur. Dispatch shall inform managers of any proposed aircraft movement in advance of sunrise/sunset considerations.
Ordering Procedures
Orders for aircraft are usually received by telephone from the dispatch center. Aircraft operations outside of cell phone range will be contacted via the FM radio.
For initial attack operations, detailed information not received during the phone conversation can be relayed over the aircraft radio once the aircraft is airborne. (Sterile cockpit issues should be adhered to when clearing the airport traffic.)
Whenever practical, there will be a nightly reconciliation between dispatch center and the aircraft manager concerning aircraft flight information, incident numbers (including those assigned by other agencies), problems encountered, etc.
Off Unit Assignments
If adjoining units or NWCC request the use of the aviation assets and personnel, the Center Manager can elect to provide the service after approval by fire management.
Flight Following
See the NAP
Mission Flights
Upon departure from the airport and after clearance of all airport traffic, notify the dispatch center of departure and destination. All aircraft are required to check-in with local dispatch every fifteen (15) minutes, unless AFF is functioning and COIDC has been notified and agreed to AFF tracking. After landing, notify dispatch and close out the flight.
Point-to-Point Flights
See the NAP
Airspace Coordination
See the NAP
All flight crews will be briefed on special procedures concerning airspace coordination as contained in the Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide (IACG). Airspace conflicts with military aircraft are a constant hazard for which crews must maintain vigilance.
All aircraft managers should be familiar with the IACG to gain an understanding of the procedures dispatch will utilize to coordinate airspace for incidents along Military Training Routes (MTRs) or within Special-Use Airspace (SUA). COIDC will maintain current copies of DOD Area Planning AP/1b and AP/1A Publications.
Read IACG for Pilot and aircraft manager responsibilities en route and on-scene.
Ensure that NOAA Aeronautical Sectional (not World Aeronautical Charts) charts for Oregon are on board the aircraft at all times. Ensure that no out-of-date sectionals are on-board any aircraft.