PNWCG Aviation Policy Standards Matrix
Revised March 10, 2015
Document summarizes interagency operations policy and guidance. The Matrix is a living document that is updated
continually. In-house (single-agency) operations may vary within each agency. Aviation personnel must receive a
thorough briefing on agency policy prior to implementing operations on any incident/project. Questions on these policies
should be directed to PNWCG Aviation Committee Members. Refer to specific agency policy documents.
GENERAL AIR
OPERATIONS
Policy/Procedure
DOI
ODF
USFS
WDNR
350-354 DM & OPMs
5700 Manual
Agency Plan
Project Safety Plans
Yes
Yes
No
Policy1
Aviation Procedures
Manual
District Aviatio/Safety
Plans
Guidance
Policy
Guidance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes2
Yes2
Yes3
Usually
Not Always
Not Always
Usually
Op Plan Smokey
Northwest Compact
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes2
Yes2
Yes3
Yes
Not Always
Not Always
Usually
Usually Not
Per border agreement
8/14/10 2/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6
8/14/10 2/14
40 Hrs. max in 7 days
8/14/10 2/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6
8/14/10 2/14
36 Hrs. max in 6 days
Up to 42/6
Per Contract
Yes
Per Contract
Yes
Per Contract
Yes
Per Contract
No6
Point to Point Flights
Per FAA flight plan w/
agency phone check-in
FAA or 15 min Radio
or AFF
Per FAA flight plan w/
agency phone check-in
FAA w/ Agency phone
check-in: Fixed Wing;
15 Radio for Rotor Wing
Mission or Special Use flights
Per Bureau: usually 15
min. radio call or AFF
15 min radio or AFF
15 min. radio or AFF
15 min radio or AFF
PPE Required for Flights:
Nomex flight suit or Nomex
pants and shirt; leather boots;
gloves and flight helmet.
Yes all helicopter &
fixed wing < 500’ AGL7
Yes all helicopter
Yes all helicopter &
fixed wing < 500’ AGL7
Yes all helicopter
IHOG Adopted as:
Fed. Stds. for Pilots/Aircraft
Agency Fleet Aircraft
Exclusive Use Contracts
CWN & On-call Contract
Cooperator agency2,4
Natl. Guard / Military2
Canadian Aircraft3
Flight Crew Hours:
Flight/Duty/Rest Days Off
Max Cumulative
Aircraft Refueling:
Hot refueling w/approved tank
and closed circuit system
Splash Refueling (not closed
circuit) 5
Flight Following:
Hard Hat may be substituted
for flight helmet for these
exceptions:
Hazardous Materials
Helicopter Manager/Module
required for each helicopter
Crew Members Allowed on
Bucket/Sling Flights
Supervised
Landing/Unloading
High Wind Limitations
1 IHOG
Fire crew transport to
established/managed
helibase/helispot per
IHOG
Per DOT 9198
Special Permit
Per DOT 9198
Special Permit
Fire crew transport to
established/managed
helibase/helispot per
IHOG
Per DOT 9198
Special Permit
Yes8
Usually Manager
Yes8
No
No9
No
No9
No9
Manager/Module
PIC Responsible
Manager/Module
PIC Responsible
Gusts limits by type
Per IHOG
PIC Decision
Gusts limits by type
Per IHOG
Steady 30 knots or 15
knots gust spread
Fire Crew Transport
but front seats still
need flight helmet
Fire Crew Transport
but front seats still
need flight helmet
Per DOT 9198
Special Permit
is Fire Aviation Policy for all Bureaus’ i.e. FWS, BLM, BIA, etc., but compliance of individual tribes is tied to federal funding.
Letter of Approval is issued in lieu of agency carding. Approval normally requires aircraft and pilot to meet same standards
as a federal agency would require for their own fleet or contract aircraft and pilots. Military and Natl. Guard assets are also issued
cooperator Approval Letters; pilots must have a minimum of 500 hours in accordance with the Military Operations Handbook.
3 Foreign assets are approved under an interagency COMPAC or agreement that defines the pilot and aircraft standards.
4 Federal Employees may only fly aboard aircraft that meet Federal Approval.
5 Only when approved in the contract and when ordered by the government with PIC concurrence.
6 WDNR allows splash hot refueling only in life threatening emergencies only.
7
Federal Lead Planes and ASM’s allow headsets below 500 AGL. Full Nomex and boots still required.
8 Managers may manage multiple helicopters w/approval of State/Regional Aviation Manager per IHOG.
9 Manager/Crew essential to the activity may fly while carrying external loads under certain circumstances with approval
2 Cooperator