Forest Service Manual national headquarters (wo)

Forest Service Manual national headquarters (wo) Washington, DC

Aviation management includes all activities associated with providing aircraft support services for natural resource protection and management functions of the Forest Service. Support services incorporate program leadership, supervision, cooperation, aviation expertise, training, and safety program management for agency fleet, contract, and cooperator aircraft operations.

5701 - AUTHORITY

a. Forest Service aviation management functions and safety in the operation of public aircraft used exclusively by the Government; and

b. The rulemaking, enforcement, and investigative responsibilities governing civil aircraft operations.

2. The Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended; the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.); and the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) codified in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (FSM 5703-5703.32) provide authorization for functions such as aircraft and pilot approvals, operational standards, evaluations, and accident prevention and investigation

5702 - OBJECTIVES

Manage aviation functions and activities to achieve the following results:

1. Safe, cost-effective aviation services in support of the Forest Service mission, goals, and objectives.

2. Coordination of aviation activities and operations with those of other agencies and cooperators to meet mutually agreed upon standardized goals and objectives and to achieve program efficiencies.

5703 - POLICY

The policy of the Forest Service requires aviation managers to follow the direction in aviation manuals and handbooks and in the aviation guides listed in this chapter, section 5706.

5703.1 - Pilot and Aircraft Approval

All government employed and contracted pilots and agency-owned and -contracted aircraft must meet Forest Service standards listed in FSM 5710, specific aircraft contracts and must have specific approvals for Forest Service missions. Approval of pilots and aircraft from other agencies, military services, or cooperators are referenced in FSM 5712 and FSM 5713 respectively.

5703.2 - Contract Aviation Services Policy

For definition of terms see FSM 5705. Obtain and utilize contract aviation services only from contractors certified under 14 CFR for the type of operation to be conducted. If passengers are to be carried, the contractor shall be certified under requirements found in 14 CFR part 135.

5703.3 - All Flight Operations Policy

All Forest Service flight operations, whether contract or in-service, must comply with:

1. The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) applicable to the missions as defined in FAR 1.1 as "Public Aircraft" or "Civil Aircraft"; and

2. The direction in this manual; FSH 5709.16; the Interagency Smokejumper Operations Guide; the Interagency Smokejumper Pilots Operations Guide; and the other interagency operations guides referenced in FSM 5706.

5703.31 - Flight Operations - Public Aircraft Policy

Forest Service flight operations as defined in Public Law 103-411 (FAR 1.1) must comply with the FARs applicable to public aircraft (FSM 5701), except for flight operations conducted under the grants of exemption from specific FARs (FSM 5714) and for other flight operations exceptions as authorized in this manual and in FSH 5709.16.

5703.32 - Flight Operations - Civil Aircraft Policy

Conduct all Forest Service flight operations defined in FAR 1.1 as "Civil Aircraft" operations unrelated to Public Law 103-411, such as passenger carrying point-to-point, in accordance with the following FARs:

1. FAR 39 - Airworthiness Directives (14 CFR part 39).

2. FAR 43 - Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration

3. FAR 61 - Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors (14 CFR part 61).

4. FAR 65 - Certification: Airmen other than Flight Crewmembers (14 CFR part 65).

5. FAR 91 - General Operating and Flight Rules for "mission" activities

6. FAR 119 - Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators (14 CFR part 119).

7. FAR 121, 125, and 135 of Subpart B, Operating Requirements (14 CFR parts 121, 125, and 135).

8. FAR 133 - Rotorcraft External-Load Operations (14 CFR part 133).

9. FAR 137 - Agricultural Aircraft Operations (14 CFR part 137).

5703.4 - Helicopter Operations Policy

Forest Service helicopter operations must comply with the following interagency guides (ordering information is in FSM 5706):

1. Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG),

2. Interagency Aerial Ignition Guide,

3. Interagency Helicopter Rappel Guide,

4. Forest Service National Night Air Operations Plan.

5. Forest Service National Rappel Operations Guide (NROG).

6. National Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) Short-Haul and Hoist (S-H/H) Guide, and

7. Interagency Helicopter Pilot Practical Test Standards.
All helicopter related Incident Command System (ICS) position qualifications are governed by FSH 5709.16, FSH 5109.17, the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Qualifications Guide and the Interagency Aviation Training Guide.

5703.5 - Fixed-Wing Operations Policy

Forest Service fixed-wing operations must comply with the following interagency guides (ordering information is in FSM 5706):

1. Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide (IASG),

2. Interagency Airplane Pilot Practical Test Standards,

3. Interagency Single Engine Airtanker Guide (ISOG), and

4. Interagency Smokejumper Pilots Operations Guide (ISPOG).

All fixed-wing related Incident Command System (ICS) position qualifications are governed by FSH 5709.16, FSH 5109.17, the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Qualifications Guide and the Interagency Aviation Training Guide.

5703.6 - Safety Management System Policy

Forest Service aviation planning and operations must utilize the Safety Management System (SMS) approach to controlling risk. SMS is founded in the International Civil Aviation Organization System Management Manual Doc 9859. Forest Service aviation SMS is defined in the Forest Service Aviation Safety Management System Guide. The four components of SMS policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion are essential pieces of a comprehensive safety-oriented management system.

1. Safety management,

2. Organization and personnel,

3. Training and proficiency,

4. Flight operations,

5. International operations (when applicable),

6. Aircraft equipment requirements,

7. Aircraft maintenance,

8. Operations policies and procedures,

9. Emergency accident/incident response,

10. Environmental management,

11. Occupational health and safety, and

12. Security.

5703.7 - Manuals, Handbooks, and Guides

Aviation operations require regulations, manuals, guides, and checklists to execute and coordinate operations in a safe and effective manner. Where the terms “shall” and “must” are used in manuals, handbooks, or guides, compliance with those items is mandatory and not discretionary (FSM 1110.8 – Exhibit 01 Degree of Compliance or Restriction in Directives). These principles should guide employees; they are authoritative, but require employees to apply their judgment in order to solve problems.

5704 - RESPONSIBILITY

5704.1 - Washington Office, Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry

The Washington Office, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry is responsible to the Chief. The Washington Office, Deputy Chief shall:

1. Provide direction, leader’s intent, and administration of Agency-wide aviation management programs, policies, and procedures.

2. Advise the Chief of current aviation-related issues.

3. Formulate, coordinate, and implement broad policies for administration of the Agency aviation program.

4. Approve or disapprove aviation policies, aviation regulations, and deviations from policy in non-emergency situations proposed by the Director, Fire and Aviation Management.

5. Approve project aviation safety plans for national-sponsored fire, non-fire, testing, and equipment projects.

6. Approve or disapprove any new aviation programs.

7. Approve or disapprove any Forest Service aviation guides or interagency aviation guides and all addendums/changes to these plans.

8. Approve the acquisition of any agency-owned aircraft.

5704.2 - Washington Office, Director, Fire and Aviation Management

The Washington Office, Director, Fire and Aviation Management is responsible to the Washington Office, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry. The Washington Office, Director, Fire and Aviation Management shall:

1. Provide oversight to a national aviation program through leader’s intent and direction.

2. Provide liaison for aviation planning and program coordination with other Federal and State government agencies and non-government organizations, when required.

3. Ensure appropriate financial management and support for Agency aviation program and resources.

4. Approve all national safety and aviation management plans and addendums/ changes to these plans.

5. Approve or disapprove equipment and procedures prior to operational testing and operational use.

6. Initiate aviation activity reviews and follow-up (FSM 1410 and FSM 5719).

For further direction, see FSM 5719.04a and 5720.43.

5704.21 - Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation

The Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation, is responsible to the Washington Office, Director of Fire and Aviation Management. The Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation shall:

1. Serve as the Forest Service national aviation Program Manager.

2. Approve all national aviation operations plans and addendums/ changes to these plans.

3. Provide liaison for aviation planning and program coordination with other government entities, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense, Department of the Interior, the Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy, National Interagency Aviation Committee, and State Foresters.

4. Provide liaison with regional aviation programs through the Regional/ Area Aviation Officers.

5. Maintain a current National Aviation Safety and Management Plan.

6. Coordinate with the Washington Office Acquisition Management on all aircraft and aviation services contracts and procurement, including provide service-wide technical requirements and standards for aircraft services.

5704.22 - Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Operations and Quality Assurance

The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Operations and Quality Assurance is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation, for the management and supervision of aviation operations and quality assurance. The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Operations and Quality Assurance has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain an aviation operations and quality assurance program.

2. Ensure program leadership, coordination, technical expertise, oversight, and support for national aviation operations programs and supervise the Program Managers and Aviation Technical Specialists.

3. Develop specific mission or aircraft operations plans to be reviewed and updated annually.

4. Coordinate interagency cooperation and leadership to ensure compatible and standardized aviation operations.

5704.23 - Washington Office, Branch Chief, Airworthiness and Quality Assurance

The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Airworthiness and Quality Assurance is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation for the management and supervision of airworthiness and quality assurance. The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Airworthiness and Quality Assurance has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain an airworthiness and quality assurance program.

2. Ensure national program leadership, coordination, technical expertise, oversight, and support for the national Aviation Airworthiness and Quality Assurance programs and directly supervise the Aviation Technical Specialists.

3. Assist the regions with technical support, coordination, and oversight to ensure standardization within the national aircraft fleet requirements.

4. Manage and coordinate the working capital fund for all agency-owned and -operated aircraft.

5. Coordinate interagency cooperation and leadership to ensure compatible and standardized aviation airworthiness and logistics.

5704.24 - Washington Office, Branch Chief, Pilot Standardization and Quality Assurance

The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Pilot Standardization and Quality Assurance is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation, for the management and supervision of pilot standardization and quality assurance. The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Pilot Standardization and Quality Assurance has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain a pilot standardization and quality assurance program.

2. Ensure program leadership, coordination, technical expertise, oversight, and support for national pilot standardization and supervise the fixed-wing and rotor-wing standardization pilots and aircraft inspector pilots.

3. Approve or rescind Forest Service employee pilot qualifications and/or designations for pilot, pilot instructor, check pilot or pilot inspector.

4. Assist the regions with technical support, coordination, and oversight to ensure standardization within pilot requirements.

5. Coordinate interagency cooperation and leadership to ensure compatible pilot standardization.

5704.25 - Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Business Operations

The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Business Operations is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation, for the management and supervision of aviation business operations. The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Business Operations has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain an aviation business operations program, including planning, budget, and policy.

2. Ensure program management, coordination, oversight, and business operations support for the national aviation program and supervise the aviation technical specialists.

3. Provide leadership, technical expertise, and coordination for the national aviation program.

4. Coordinate interagency cooperation and leadership to ensure compatible and standardized aviation planning and operations.

5704.26 - Washington Office, Aviation Strategic Planner

The Washington Office, aviation strategic planner is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Aviation for aviation strategic planning. The Washington Office, Aviation Strategic Planner has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain an aviation strategic plan.

2. Provide leadership, technical expertise, and coordination for the national aviation program.

5704.27 - Washington Office, Assistant Director, Risk Management

The Washington Office, Assistant Director, Risk Management, is responsible to the Washington Office, Director of Fire and Aviation Management. The Washington Office, Assistant Director, Risk Management shall develop and administer a national aviation safety program.

5704.28 - Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Safety Management Systems

The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Safety Management Systems is responsible to the Washington Office, Assistant Director, Risk Management for the management and supervision of aviation safety management systems program. The Washington Office, Branch Chief, Aviation Safety Management Systems has the responsibility to:

1. Develop and maintain an aviation safety management systems program.

2. Ensure program leadership, coordination, technical expertise, oversight, and support for the national aviation safety management system program and supervise the aviation safety specialist.

3. Coordinate interagency cooperation and leadership to ensure compatible and standardized aviation operations.

5704.3 - Regional Foresters

It is the responsibility of each Regional Forester to establish an aviation program responsive to regional and national needs that meets minimum standards set forth in Forest Service aviation policy and to:

1. Provide appropriate regional supplementation to the National Aviation Safety and Management Plan.

2. Provide technical aviation assistance to the Forests, Stations, Area, States, and other cooperators.

3. Ensure appropriate financial management of the aviation program and resources.

4. Provide cost-effective management of Working Capital Fund (WCF) aircraft assigned to the Region.

5. Make personnel available to effectively and safely manage the regional aviation program, including a full-time Regional Aviation Officer and a Regional Aviation Safety Manager.

6. Provide aviation management assistance to States through the Cooperative Fire Protection Program, including aircraft acquisition and support utilizing the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program.

5704.31 - Regional/ Area Aviation Officers

2. Ensuring that Regional/Area and Forest/Station plans are supplemented and updated annually to ensure compliance with the current National Aviation Safety and Management Plan.

3. Reviewing Project Aviation Safety Plans and Forest Aviation Plans, including cost comparisons, risk assessment, and job hazard analyses.

4. Ensuring compliance with Forest Service aviation policy.

5. Conducting safety and quality assurance evaluations of aviation operations.

6. Coordinating with the Regional/Area Aviation Safety Manager on aviation safety and accident prevention matters.

7. Maintaining coordination with Forest/Unit Aviation Officers on forest/unit aviation matters.

For additional responsibilities, see FSH 5709.16, chapter 10.42b.

5704.32 - Regional/Area Aviation Safety Managers

5704.4 - Station Directors

Each Station Director is responsible for designating a Station Aviation Officer.

5704.5 - Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, Director

It is the responsibility of the Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, Director to:

1. Provide aviation management assistance and support to State Foresters and Cooperators.

2. Designate an Area Aviation Officer, with duties and responsibilities equivalent to a Regional Aviation Officer as outlined in FSM 5704.31 and FSH 5709.16, chapter 10.42b.

5704.51 - Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, Aviation Officer

See FSM 5704.31 for Northeastern Area Aviation Officer responsibilities.

5704.52 - Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, Aviation Safety Manager

See FSM 5720.48d for Northeastern Area Aviation Safety Manager responsibilities.

5704.6 - Forest Supervisors

It is the responsibility of each Forest Supervisor to:

1. Establish, administer, and manage national aviation resources assigned to the forest and oversee an aviation program responsive to the forest's needs in accordance with current direction.

2. Supplement the Aviation Management Plan as appropriate.

3. Ensure that projects and activities involving the use of aircraft are planned in advance by qualified personnel.

4. Designate Forest Aviation Officers (FSH 5709.16).

5. Approve all aviation operations on the Forest in advance of commencing operations. With the exception of Aviation Plans or related documents requiring Line Officer approval, this authority may be delegated. (See 5711.04)

5704.61 - Forest Aviation Officers

Forest Aviation Officers shall meet the Aviation Manager qualifications in the Interagency Aviation Training Guide.

1. Oversee aviation mission planning, operations, and risk assessment.

2. Ensure compliance with aviation management, safety policies, and procedures.

3. Provide input and follow-up to SAFECOMS involving aviation operations on the Forest.

4. Conduct periodic safety evaluations of aviation operations.

5. Evaluate aircraft effectiveness, including cost and utilization.

6. Administer helicopter and fixed wing contracts and other aviation support contracts.

7. Ensure that all Forest Aviation Plans and Project Aviation Safety Plans are supplemented, updated annually, reviewed, and approved at the appropriate management level.

8. Coordinate with Regional Office aviation management as necessary.

9. Coordinate Forest aviation training.

5704.7 - Pilots

Pilots employed by and contracted by the Forest Service have the responsibility to:

1. Ensure safe accomplishment of the mission.

2. Maintain a current FAA Medical Certificate appropriate for the flight operation as defined in 14 CFR Part 61.

3. Maintain flight proficiency and mission currency in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, interagency guides (FSM 5706), and Forest Service manuals and handbooks.

4. Brief passengers on operational and emergency procedures.

5. Cancel, postpone, or change flights when existing or impending conditions make those flights unsafe. The decision of the pilot-in-command is final.

6. Follow fire and aviation administrative policy and direction on cost efficiency and effectiveness.

7. Follow Federal Aviation Administration flight following protocols and flight management procedures in FSM 5700, FSH 5709.16, and in the National Interagency Mobilization Guide referenced in section 5706.

8. Complete and maintain all required records and reports referenced in FSM 5700 and FSH 5709.16 and in accordance with FSH 6209.11, Records Management Handbook.

5704.8 - Aviation Maintenance Personnel

Aviation maintenance personnel employed by and contracted by the Forest Service have the responsibility to:

1. Provide safe equipment to meet mission goals.

2. Maintain proficiency in their respective fields in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, interagency guides (FSM 5706), and Forest Service Manuals and Handbooks.

3. Brief pilots and other appropriate personnel on maintenance and avionics issues affecting safety and equipment.

5704.9 - Forest Service Employees

Forest Service employees shall fly only in approved government (refer to Government Aircraft definition in FSM 5705) aircraft flown by an approved pilot(s). Approvals are specified in

5705 - DEFINITIONS

See 5710.5 and 5720.5 for additional definitions.

Mission flights do not include official travel to give speeches, to attend conferences or meetings, or make routine site visits (OMB A-126) which are defined as Administrative Use flights.

Official travel by employee pilots not employed as pilots using privately owned aircraft is considered point to point operations. See also FSM 5712.36.

5706 - REFERENCES

The following documents are available from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Attn: Great Basin Cache, 3833 S. Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705-5354 or U.S. Forest Service, Aviation Staff:

1. Aircraft Inspection Guide.

2. Aviation Risk Management Workbook.

3. Aviation Safety Management Systems Guide.

4. Cooperator Aircraft and Pilot Approval Guide for Interagency Fire.

5. Department of Agriculture Property Management Regulation, Chapter 110 - 33 Aircraft Management.

6. Forest Service Accident Investigation Guide.

7. Forest Service Aviation Management Review and Quality Assurance Guide.

8. Forest Service Fire & Aviation Qualifications Guide.

9. Forest Service Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Guide.

10. Forest Service National Night Air Operations Plan.

11. Forest Service National Rappel Operations Guide (NROG).

12. Helicopter Flight Evaluation Guide (HFEG).

13. Interagency Aerial Ignition Guide (IAIG).

14. Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide (IASG).

15. Interagency Airplane Pilot Practical Test Standards.

16. Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide.

17. Interagency Airtanker Base Operations Guide (IABOG).

18. Interagency Aviation Life Support Equipment Guide.

19. Interagency Aviation Mishap Response Guide and Checklist.

20. Interagency Aviation Training Guide (IAT).

21. Interagency Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials Guide.

22. Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG).

23. Interagency Helicopter Pilot Practical Test Standards.

24. Interagency Helicopter Rappel Guide (IHRG).

25. Interagency Single-Engine Airtanker Operations Guide (ISOG).

26. Interagency Smokejumper Operations Guide (ISMOG).

27. Interagency Smokejumper Pilots Operations Guide (ISPOG).

28. Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (“annual revision”).

29. National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Cooperators Aviation Standards for Interagency Fire.

30. National Aviation Safety and Management Plan.

31. National Interagency Mobilization Guide (“annual revision”).

32. National Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) Short-Haul and Hoist (S-H/H) Guide.

33. Special Mission Airworthiness Assurance Guide.

34. Working Capital Fund Aircraft User Guide.

5709 - HANDBOOKS

5709.16 - Flight Operations Handbook

This handbook contains procedures for pilot hiring and promotion; general requirements for flight training and proficiency records; direction for airplane type training, inspector pilot training, and leadplane pilot qualifications; instructions for Forest Service flight operations, procedures, program standards and maintenance inspections, equipment checks, and record keeping and reports; airplane contract specifications, direction, administrative forms, and records; and procedures for pilot training and authorization, airplane inspection and approval, use planning, and operational requirements of Forest Service missions.