Basic Wildland Fire Management Aircraft Operations

Objectives Upon completion of this section, you will be able to: 1.Name 3 types of landing sites 2.Demonstrate how to coordinate helicopter bucketing 3.Identify helicopter bucketing limitations 4.List 3 main helicopter hazards 5.State when pre-flight briefings should be conducted 6.State minimum dimensions of helispots 7.State when heel logs should be used and its dimensions 8.Identify when air tankers are most effective 9.Recognize what to do when air tankers uses its YELP and/or WAIL Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter Operations Commonly used for transporting personnel and equipment 3 types of landing sites: –Heliport is permanent landing area –Helibase is main location operating in support of incident –Helispot is designated area to safely land and take-off Hover Exit approved method of entering/exiting from low hover Rappelling approved method of exiting from high hover Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter Bucketing Helicopter coordination required to ensure accuracy –Mark target with flagging –Guide pilot in –Identify type of drop Bucketing limitations include: –Steep terrain –Strong winds (e.g. >30kph) –Dense crown canopy –Helicopters travel >30kph to minimize rotor downwash Basic Wildland Fire Management

Freight Transport Freight transport accomplished using internal or external loads Slinging approved methods of external loads General guidelines: –Check with pilot and receive approval before loading –Ensure cargo won’t shift in flight and doesn’t block exits –Have ground crew on receiving end to direct/unload –Never throw anything Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter Hazards 3 main helicopter hazards: –Main rotor –Tail rotor –Exhaust Basic Wildland Fire Management

Safe Work Practices Keep landing area free from loose objects Always approach and depart from front within pilot’s view, and on downhill side If exiting on uphill side, remain near until machine leaves Don’t approach until signalled by pilot Always approach and depart in slight crouch with head up Carry tools parallel to ground and below waist Never duck under tail boom or walk to rear Basic Wildland Fire Management

Hand Signals Discuss what hand signals will be used with pilot Ensure 1 person gives strong, obvious signals Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter Briefing Pilot provides safety and operational information for machine Expect briefing whenever: new pilot, new machine, new crew member, or change in procedures Briefing should include: –Location of FA kit, ELT and fire extinguisher –Emergency procedures –Operation of doors and seat belts –Loading equipment Basic Wildland Fire Management

Emergency Procedures If pilot declares an emergency: –Ensure seat belt is snug –Remove glasses and sharp objects and store safely –Secure any loose gear –Lean back and tighten shoulder harness –When machine comes to complete stop, exit quickly –Don’t approach machine unless pilot says it’s safe to do so –Ensure ELT activated –Salvage emergency survival kit –Stay together near aircraft while awaiting rescue Basic Wildland Fire Management

TypePassenger Internal Load External Load Rotor Diameter FuelDuration 206B41600lb1200lb10.0m286L2.6hr 206L361213lb2000lb11.3m416L2.6hr AS350B51510lb2000lb10.7m520L3.2hr 204B92081lb4000lb14.6m916L2.4hr 205A142736lb5000lb14.6m818L2.1hr lb5000lb8.5m814L2.2hr Helicopter Specifications

Helispot Location Best helispot is no helispot On level ground and not in heavy timber Opening should be 2 times rotor diamter (i.e. 37m for AS) Approach and departure aligned with prevailing winds –Angles <20 o ideal, which is measured from site to top of tallest tree in route Remove falling timber within striking distance Number helispots and record location Setup wind indicators Basic Wildland Fire Management

Heel Log On slightly sloping ground use single heel log Heel log should be green tree that is 4m long and 25cm inside bark diameter Bury log so it’s slightly higher than ground where front skid will land Secure heel log to prevent movement Identify heel log using paint or flagging tape Basic Wildland Fire Management

Air Tanker Operations Air tanker role: –To secure line in early AM –To protect facilities –To buy time until ground crews arrive –To reinforce of existing features Air limitations: –Need to be followed by ground suppression crews –Limited by adverse weather (i.e. turbulence, etc.) –Limited by poor visibility –Restricted by topography (i.e. narrow valleys, etc.) –Need radio communications to coordinate attack Basic Wildland Fire Management

Air Tanker Safety Retardant drops are hazardous due to its weight and tendency to throw debris Clear drop zone at least 100m at 90 o from drop path Warning system: –YELP (intermittent) means 3min until drop –WAIL (continuous) means all clear Basic Wildland Fire Management

Air Tanker Safety If you’re caught in the drop zone: –Walk 90 o to drop path as far as 100m away –Stay clear of falling timber –Lie face down towards approaching aircraft –Place tools behind and/or downhill from you –Don’t move back until WAIL –Watch your footing Basic Wildland Fire Management

Fire Retardant Substance that reduces or inhibits combustion, which buys time until ground crews arrive 2 types of fire retardant: short-/long-term Short-term retardant –Relies on water holding capacity and cooling ability –Examples: water, wildland foam Long-term retardant –Chemical salt that alters combustion –Effective after water has evaporated Basic Wildland Fire Management

Conclusion Mark target and guide pilot in during bucketing operations to ensure accuracy Check with pilot and get approval before loading gear 3 main helicopter hazards: main rotor, tail rotor and exhaust Helicopter briefing required if new aircraft, new pilot, new crewmember or change in procedures Helispots should be 2 times rotor diameter YELP during air tanker operations means move 100m at 90 o from drop path Basic Wildland Fire Management

Objectives Upon completion of this section, you will be able to: 1.Name 3 types of landing sites 2.Demonstrate how to coordinate helicopter bucketing 3.Identify helicopter bucketing limitations 4.List 3 main helicopter hazards 5.State when pre-flight briefings should be conducted 6.State minimum dimensions of helispots 7.State when heel logs should be used and its dimensions 8.Identify when air tankers are most effective 9.Recognize what to do when air tankers uses its YELP and/or WAIL Basic Wildland Fire Management