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INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE



CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

I. Objectives. The objectives of the Interagency Single Engine Air Tanker
Operations Guide (ISOG) are to:

A. Promote safe, cost effective and efficient aviation services in support of
agency and interagency goals and objectives.

B. Define and standardize national interagency Single Engine Airtanker
(SEAT) operational procedures.

C. Through standardization, facilitate interchange and cross utilization of
agency SEAT resources.

D. Provide a common, interagency operational guide when working with
SEAT contractors and agency air operations management.

E. Provide a framework within which Areas, Regions, States, and local
units can provide supplemental agency specific guidance.

II. Scope. The standards and procedures contained in this guide apply to
SEAT operations conducted by participating agency providers and users of
SEATs.

III. Authority. The aviation Manuals of participating agencies contains the
authority to publish this guide.

IV. Participating Agencies.


All federal SEAT contracts are administered by the Aviation Management
Department of the Interior (AM). Program management responsibility is
vested with Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior
in accordance with lead agency concepts.

V. Reviews and Revision.
An interagency steering and standards committee consisting of
representatives from agencies utilizing SEATs will periodically update this
guide. Users are encouraged to recommend changes to this document
through their respective aviation program managers.

VI. Publishing, Ordering and Distribution.
The guide and revisions are available through the NIFC Fire Cache in
Boise, Idaho and web site (www.SEATops.com)


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INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE



CHAPTER 2 - PERSONNEL

I. Introduction. This section establishes the qualifications, training, certification
and currency requirements necessary to perform as a SEAT pilot, as well as the
duties and responsibilities of the SEAT manager.

II. Pilot Qualifications, Certification, Currency, and Experience.

A. Pilot qualifications. All SEAT pilots must possess a FAA commercial
pilot certificate and an FAA instrument rating for airplanes; hold a
minimum of a Class II medical certificate issued under provisions of 14
CFR part 67. The pilot shall also have category and class ratings in the air
tanker to be flown, or type rating if required, and shall meet FAR 61.56(a)
and (c) as well as the "recent flight experience pilot-in-command" portions
of 14 CFR 61.57(c).The pilot shall possess proof of qualifications to meet
14 CFR 137.53 for congested areas.

B. Pilot Certification. The USDOI-AM is responsible for inspecting and
approving SEAT pilots for interagency use. The OAS uses an Interagency
Pilot Qualification Card, a Aircraft Data Card, and a Service Truck Data
Card to document this process.

C. Currency. In addition to the above, the SEAT pilot shall have at least
100 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC) in airplanes during the preceding 12
months, and a minimum of 10 hours as PIC in the last 60 days, and five
takeoffs and landings in the make and model to be flown, in the preceding
12 months. When appropriate, currency flights (i.e. every 14 days during
periods of no flight activity) may be authorized at the discretion of the
agency for exclusive use and long term CWN operations.

D. Training. Prospective SEAT pilots will be given an initial training
course that shall include but not be limited to the following:

-Fire Behavior
-Air & Ground tactical operations
-Incident organizational structure and terminology
-Fire perimeter designation
-Radio communications and procedures
-Use of retardants and suppressants
-The Policies & Procedures in this guide
- Other agency specific guidelines that may be applicable such as
pilot training by bureau.


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INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE


(EFFECTIVE 4/1/04) Pilots shall have taken and successfully passed
the following courses which are available on the Internet at no charge:

1. SEAT Pilot Computer Based Training at
http://www.aviation.blm.gov/airops.htmSEATs
.
2. Aviation Radio Use (A-109) at
http://iat.nifc.gov/online.asp

3. Flight Payment Document (A-111) at
http://iat.nifc.gov/online.asp

In addition to the above, pilots not currently carded level I shall have
successfully completed the following training available through the
Bureau of Land Management:

!. National Training Course or Certified Training Syllabus
2. SEAT Pilot Academy

The pilot shall pass an agency administered oral examination of aerial
firefighting terminology, tactics, and techniques. The determination as
to the pilot's understanding of aerial firefighting terminology, tactics,
and techniques to successfully meet the requirements of the contract
will rest with the Government.

E. Flight/ duty hour limitations. All SEAT pilots shall comply with the
section, Flight Crew Member Duty and Flight Limitations of the Call-
When-Needed or the Exclusive Use contract Provisions, which stipulate
that a maximum of 14 consecutive duty hours during any assigned duty
period will be adhered to at all times. The pilot shall be given a minimum of
ten consecutive hours of rest (off duty), not to include any pre-flight or
post-flight activity, prior to any assigned duty period. During any 14
consecutive calendar days the pilot and driver shall be given 2 calendar
days of rest.

F. Flight crew. Flight Crew will be limited to a maximum of eight hours
flight time during any assigned duty period, and a maximum of 42 hours
flight time during any consecutive six day period. When a pilot acquires 36
or more flight hours in a consecutive six day period, the pilot will be given
the following calendar day off for rest, after which a new six day cycle will
begin.

During times of prolonged heavy fire activity, the Federal agencies may
issue a notice reducing the pilot duty day and/or flight time limits, on a
local, regional, agency, or interagency wide basis.



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III. SEAT Pilot carded Ratings. All SEAT pilots shall be rated and carded as INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE


either a Level 1 or Level II based on the following criteria.

A. Level 1 Rated pilots.

The Level 1 rated pilot is qualified to perform SEAT missions during all
complexities of fire air operations, with or without benefit of aerial supervision.
This encompasses all missions from Initial Attack through the complex large fire
aerial operations. The Level 1 rated pilot will be familiar with and have
experience in complex aerial fire suppression methods, and therefore will be more
effective in those types of situations. To qualify for a Level 1 endorsement, the
pilot must meet either A or B below and have performed 25 loads on actual
wildfires within the previous 36 months. These 25 loads shall be documented in
the pilot's personal logbook denoting date, fire identification, controlling agency
and a point of contact for verification.

(1) Complete the 25 fire missions (B3.1.8.1.2) under the supervision of an
Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) or Airtanker Coordinator (ATC) or
lead plane pilot, while operating in the incident airspace concurrently with
three or more tactical aircraft. (SEAT +3 or more) The documentation shall
include the ATGS/ATC name. The ATGS/ATC must be recognized by either
the DOI or USFS.

(2)Have one of the following additional flight profiles:

(a) 200 hours within the last 24 months while designated as an air
carrier pilot in command (PIC) for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
conditions operating under a 14 CFR 121 or 135 certificate.

(b) 200 hours as PIC in the last 12 months of flight operations within
high density airspace where multiple communication paths are utilized.
Acceptability of this experience is to be determined solely by the
Government.

(c) 100 hours as PIC (not to include instruction given) of actual
instrument experience in controlled airspace within the last 12 months.

(d) 100 hours and one full season, to include at least 5 fires or one (1)
extended attack large fire, as the primary Air Attack PIC, for a Federal
Agency.

(e) 100 hours and two (2) seasons experience to include at least 20 fires
or one extended attack large fire, as a flight crewmember on an air
attack platform, airtanker, of smokejumper aircraft for a federal agency,


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INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE


or cooperating state agency. (not inclusive of all states)

(f)100 hours PIC in the last 24 months of firefighting experience to
include at least 20 fires in SEATs or large airtankers for a cooperating
state agency or foreign government ( not all inclusive) where
operational control, communication plans, and pilot responsibilities are
similar to the U.S. Federal SEAT program. Acceptability of this
experience is to be determined solely by the government.

Refer to section B - technical Specifications, of the contract for further
clarification.

Criteria used in issuance of