PNWCG Aviation Policy Standards Matrix

Revised March 10, 2015

Document summarizes interagency operations policy and guidance. The Matrix is a living document that is updated continually. In-house (single-agency) operations may vary within each agency. Aviation personnel must receive a thorough briefing on agency policy prior to implementingoperations on any incident/project. Questions on these policies should be directed to PNWCG Aviation Committee Members. Referto specific agency policy documents.

GENERAL AIR OPERATIONS / DOI / ODF / USFS / WDNR
Policy/Procedure / 350-354 DM & OPMs / Aviation Procedures Manual / 5700 Manual / Agency Plan
Project Safety Plans / Yes / District Aviatio/SafetyPlans / Yes / No
IHOG Adopted as: / Policy1 / Guidance / Policy / Guidance
Fed. Stds. for Pilots/Aircraft
Agency Fleet Aircraft
Exclusive Use Contracts
CWN & On-call Contract
Cooperator agency2,4 Natl. Guard / Military2
Canadian Aircraft3 / Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes2
Yes2
Yes3 / Usually
Not Always
Not Always
Usually
Op Plan Smokey
Northwest Compact / Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes2
Yes2
Yes3 / Yes
Not Always
Not Always
Usually
Usually Not
Per border agreement
Flight Crew Hours:
Flight/Duty/Rest Days Off
Max Cumulative / 8/14/102/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6 / 8/14/102/14
40 Hrs. max in 7 days / 8/14/102/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6 / 8/14/102/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6
Aircraft Refueling:
Hot refueling w/approved tank and closed circuit system / Per Contract / Yes / Per Contract / Yes
Splash Refueling (not closed circuit) 5 / Per Contract / Yes / Per Contract / No6
Flight Following:
Point to Point Flights / Per FAA flight plan w/ agency phone check-in / FAA or 15 min Radio
or AFF / Per FAA flight plan w/ agency phone check-in / FAA w/Agency phone check-in: Fixed Wing;15 Radio for Rotor Wing
Mission or Special Use flights / Per Bureau: usually 15 min. radio call or AFF / 15 min radio or AFF / 15 min. radioor AFF / 15 min radio or AFF
PPE Required for Flights:
Nomex flight suit orNomex pants and shirt; leather boots; gloves and flight helmet.
Hard Hat may be substituted for flight helmet for these exceptions: / Yes all helicopterfixed wing < 500’ AGL7
Fire crew transport to established/managed helibase/helispot per IHOG / Yes all helicopter
Fire Crew Transport but front seats still need flight helmet / Yes all helicopter & fixed wing < 500’ AGL7
Fire crew transport to established/managed helibase/helispot per IHOG / Yes all helicopter
Fire Crew Transport
but front seats still
need flight helmet
Hazardous Materials / Per DOT 9198
Special Permit / Per DOT 9198
Special Permit / Per DOT 9198
Special Permit / Per DOT 9198
Special Permit

Helicopter Manager/Module required for each helicopter

/ Yes8 / Usually Manager / Yes8 / No
Crew Members Allowed on Bucket/Sling Flights / No9 / No / No9 / No9
Supervised Landing/Unloading / Manager/Module / PIC Responsible / Manager/Module / PIC Responsible
High Wind Limitations / Gusts limits by type
Per IHOG / PIC Decision / Gusts limits by type
Per IHOG / Steady 30 knots or 15 knots gust spread

1 IHOG is Fire Aviation Policy for all Bureaus’ i.e. FWS, BLM, BIA, etc., but compliance of individual tribes is tied to federal funding.

2Cooperator Letter of Approval is issued in lieu of agency carding. Approval normally requires aircraft and pilot to meet same standards as a federal agency would require for their own fleet or contract aircraft and pilots. Military and Natl. Guard assets are also issued cooperator Approval Letters; pilots must have a minimum of 500 hours in accordance with the Military Operations Handbook.

3Foreign assets are approved under an interagency COMPAC or agreement that defines the pilot and aircraft standards.

4 Federal Employees may only fly aboard aircraft that meet Federal Approval.

5Only when approved in the contract and when ordered by the government with PIC concurrence.

6 WDNR allows splash hot refueling only in life threatening emergencies only.

7 Federal Lead Planes and ASM’s allow headsets below 500 AGL. Full Nomex and boots still required.

8Managers may manage multiple helicopters w/approval of State/Regional Aviation Manager per IHOG.

9 Manager/Crew essential to the activity may fly while carrying external loads under certain circumstances with approval