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Aircraft and Pilot Carding

 

Every aircraft and pilot used in support of a federal wildland fire mission must have a current Aircraft and Pilot Card or letter of authorization. The card must be held in the aircraft or with the pilot and give specific authorization to complete the requested mission. These missions could be all or any number of missions as follows:

  • Air Attack (Level I, Level II, Level III)
  • Reconnaissance
  • Fire Surveillance
  • Water Delivery (buckets)
  • Helitorch
  • Cargo
  • Longline
  • Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) Operations

 

Every pilot who flies a properly-carded aircraft must possess a current Interagency Airplane or Helicopter Pilot Qualification Card that gives specific authorization to fly the type of mission requested and the specific type of aircraft being used for the mission. These missions could be all or any number of missions as follows:

  • Air Attack
  • Reconnaissance
  • Fire Surveillance
  • Low-level
  • Paracargo
  • Mountain/Remote Airstrips
  • Smokejumper
  • Longline

 

Before the aircraft and pilot can be used for a specific mission, the aircraft must be listed on a valid and current contract which includes the type of work being performed. A copy of the contract must be onboard the aircraft.

Each user of the aircraft and pilot has the authorization to physically inspect the Aircraft Data Card, the Interagency Airplane or Helicopter Pilot Qualification Card, and the contract. If any one of these three items is not available for inspection, the mission must be canceled or at least postponed until the authorization of the aircraft, pilot, or contract can be determined.

Pilots have very specific and closely monitored duty time and flight time limitations which users must understand and adhere to:

  • 14-hour duty day,
  • 8 hours flight time per day,
  • 2 days off in 14 calendar days, and
  • 36 hours cumulative flight time in any 6 consecutive days.

 

Category
Aviation


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505