A publication of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations PMS 510 May 2019 NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations May 2019 PMS 510 The NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations (NSHO) establishes the standards by which helicopter operations are to be conducted under the exclusive direction and operational control of federal, state and local agencies in the accomplishment of interagency fire suppression and natural resource aviation management. These standards: Promote safe, cost-efficient and effective aviation services in support of agency and interagency goals and objectives. Define national, interagency helicopter management and operational procedures for helicopter users from participating agencies. Facilitate the ability of personnel from different agencies to work cooperatively on incidents or projects. Provide a framework within which areas, regions, states, and local units can provide supplemental, site-specific guidance. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners. NWCG operations standards are interagency by design; they are developed with the intent of universal adoption by the member agencies. However, the decision to adopt and utilize them is made independently by the individual member agencies and communicated through their respective directives systems. Table of Contents Chapter 01 – Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Authority ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Organization ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 02 – Personnel ............................................................................................................................ 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Training, Qualification and Currency Requirements .................................................................................. 2 Helicopter Staffing Requirements ............................................................................................................... 3 Helicopter Minimum Staffing Exceptions .................................................................................................. 3 NWCG Incident Position Descriptions ....................................................................................................... 4 Non-NWCG Helicopter Management Personnel Roles and Responsibilities ............................................ 4 Chapter 03 – Operational Planning ...................................................................................................... 13 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Developing Objectives and Contingency Planning .................................................................................. 13 Risk Management ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Specific Special Use Missions .................................................................................................................. 18 Flight Planning and Scheduling Process ................................................................................................... 19 Aircraft Cost-Comparison Analysis .......................................................................................................... 20 Aviation Project and Mission Planning .................................................................................................... 21 Project Aviation Safety Plans ................................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 04 – Communications, Flight Following, and Resource Tracking ...................................... 28 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 28 Flight Following........................................................................................................................................ 28 Resource Tracking .................................................................................................................................... 30 Communication Systems .......................................................................................................................... 31 Aircraft Communication Systems ............................................................................................................. 32 Helibase Communications ........................................................................................................................ 33 Incident Airspace Communications .......................................................................................................... 41 Chapter 05 – Vendor Personnel and Equipment Approval and Carding ......................................... 46 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 46 Approval and Documentation Process ...................................................................................................... 46 Interagency and Procurement Document Standards ................................................................................. 46 Responsibility for Checking Carding or Approval Prior to Use ............................................................... 47 Interagency Helicopter Pilot Qualification Card ...................................................................................... 47 Helicopter Data Card ................................................................................................................................ 48 Mechanic Qualification Card .................................................................................................................... 48 Service Truck Data Card ........................................................................................................................... 49 Aircraft Fuel Facility Inspection and Carding .......................................................................................... 50 Chapter 06 – Helicopter Capabilities and Limitations ........................................................................ 51 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 51 Helicopter Performance and Selection...................................................................................................... 51 Weight and Balance .................................................................................................................................. 52 NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations i High Density Altitude ............................................................................................................................... 52 Day/Night Flight Limitations .................................................................................................................... 53 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Limitations ..................................................................................... 54 Wind Restrictions...................................................................................................................................... 54 Helicopter Operating in Snow-Covered Areas. ........................................................................................ 54 Helicopter Flight Over Congested and Densely Populated Areas ............................................................ 55 Supplemental Oxygen Requirements ........................................................................................................ 56 Lockdown of Controls .............................................................................................................................. 56 Military Helicopter Limitations ................................................................................................................ 56 Chapter 07 – Helicopter Load Calculations and Manifests ................................................................ 57 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 57 Responsibility for Completion of Load Calculations ............................................................................... 58 Determining Load Capability Using Appropriate HIGE/HOGE Aircraft Performance Charts ............... 59 Manifests ................................................................................................................................................... 66