Basic Wildland Fire Management

Aircraft Aircraft OperationsOperations

ObjectivesObjectives

Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:1. Name 3 types of landing sites2. Demonstrate how to coordinate helicopter bucketing3. Identify helicopter bucketing limitations4. List 3 main helicopter hazards5. State when pre-flight briefings should be conducted6. State minimum dimensions of helispots7. State when heel logs should be used and its

dimensions8. Identify when air tankers are most effective9. Recognize what to do when air tankers uses its

YELP and/or WAIL

Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter OperationsHelicopter 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 BucketingHelicopter 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 TransportFreight 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 HazardsHelicopter Hazards

• 3 main helicopter hazards:– Main rotor– Tail rotor– Exhaust

Basic Wildland Fire Management

Safe Work PracticesSafe 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 SignalsHand Signals

• Discuss what hand signals will be used with pilot• Ensure 1 person gives strong, obvious signals

Basic Wildland Fire Management

Helicopter BriefingHelicopter 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 ProceduresEmergency 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

Basic Wildland Fire Management

Type PassengerInternal

LoadExternal

LoadRotor

DiameterFuel Duration

206B 4 1600lb 1200lb 10.0m 286L 2.6hr

206L3 6 1213lb 2000lb 11.3m 416L 2.6hr

AS350B 5 1510lb 2000lb 10.7m 520L 3.2hr

204B 9 2081lb 4000lb 14.6m 916L 2.4hr

205A 14 2736lb 5000lb 14.6m 818L 2.1hr

212 14 3762lb 5000lb 8.5m 814L 2.2hr

Helicopter SpecificationsHelicopter Specifications

Helispot LocationHelispot 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 <20o 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 LogHeel 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 OperationsAir 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 SafetyAir Tanker Safety

• Retardant drops are hazardous due to its weight and tendency to throw debris

• Clear drop zone at least 100m at 90o from drop path

• Warning system:– YELP (intermittent)

means 3min until drop– WAIL (continuous) means

all clear

Basic Wildland Fire Management

Air Tanker SafetyAir Tanker Safety

• If you’re caught in the drop zone:– Walk 90o 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 RetardantFire 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

ConclusionConclusion

• 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 90o from drop path

Basic Wildland Fire Management

ObjectivesObjectives

Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:1. Name 3 types of landing sites2. Demonstrate how to coordinate helicopter bucketing3. Identify helicopter bucketing limitations4. List 3 main helicopter hazards5. State when pre-flight briefings should be conducted6. State minimum dimensions of helispots7. State when heel logs should be used and its

dimensions8. Identify when air tankers are most effective9. Recognize what to do when air tankers uses its

YELP and/or WAIL

Basic Wildland Fire Management