Document
Interagency Aviation
Information Bulletin
No. IA 2012-03 August 7, 2012 Page 1 of 1 Subject: 2012 Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG) Helicopter Operations Area of Concern: Distribution: Helicopter Operations Discussion: The 2012 version of the IHOG will not be released until February 2013. Until its release, the 2009 IHOG remains in effect as numerous Helicopter Support Kits have already been distributed from the cache system with the 2009 version. Several factors delayed the implementation of the new IHOG including plans to replace the hard copy IHOG with an electronic distribution. Due to feedback from the field, we will continue to publish a hard copy edition. The 2009 guide remains available for download on the NIFC web- site at http://www.nifc.gov/aviation/av_ref_ihog.html The 2012 IHOG contains several changes associated with helibase management that should be adopted im- mediately and may already be required depending on the bureau or region: 1) A Helibase Manager Type 2 can supervise up to 5 helicopters, 6 or more helicopters would automatically require a Helibase Manager Type 1 (as identified in the 2011 PMS 310-1).
2) The Helibase Management Incident Complexity Analysis (attachment 1) is intended to assist an HEB2/ ASGS/AOBD/Aviation Managers evaluate current helibase operations and determine if an HEB1 should be ordered for operations with 5 or fewer helicopters. This risk analysis tool attempts to quantify the complexity of an incident helibase operation and support requests for an HEB1. The form (located on page 2) should be completed by the helibase/aviation manager at various intervals throughout the incident in order to account for any operational changes and its impact on helibase complexity. This form should be routed through their respective incident supervisor.
The form is also available for download at: http://www.nifc.gov/aviation/av_documents/av_helicopters/HMICA.pdf If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact your bureau or agency IHOps representative.
USFS – Vince Welbaum NPS – Shad Sitz BIA – Dave Underwood FWS – Glen Cullingford States – Dan Boyle BLM – Bryan Bitting /s/ Keith C. Raley /s/ Ron Hanks Keith C. Raley Ron Hanks Chief, Aviation Safety and Branch Chief, Aviation Safety Program Evaluations, DOI Management Systems, USFS Attachment 1 Helibase Management Incident Complexity Analysis (Type 1 , 2 ) 6 or more helicopters utilizing helibase – Automatic Type 1 Manager required Incident Name:_________________________________Date:________________ Number of Helicopters & Type (Machine) Yes No 4 or more helicopters working out of helibase Restricted or Limited helicopters comprise less than 40 % of helibase aircraft.
Multiple separate helibases are assigned to incident Incident Management (Man) No IMT overseeing operation/ or IMT without AOBD or ASGS and/or ATGS Host unit does not have “Stand - Alone” Aviation Manager or Aviation Manager is not available for assistance No more than 1 Exclusive Use Helitack crew on helibase Trainees being used in HEB positions due to shortage of qualified personnel Mission profiles (Method) Helicopters are the primary method of logistical line support due to inaccessible terrain or remote location 4 or more 20 person crew shuttles per day 10 or more external load cargo missions per day Tactical water/suppressant delivery is NOT the primary missions Specialized missions ongoing (Law Enforcement, S&R, Fire - Line - Explosive, Rotor Wing retardant, etc……..)
Multiple incidents are being supported out of the helibase Operational environment (Medium) Complex airspace issues (multiple MTRs, MOAs, SUAs etc…..)
Helibase located at an airport with a moderate amount of GA activity Helibase communications questionable, (Flight following, command, etc……..)
Additional incidents within close proximity Frequent smoke inversions or weather complications (morning or afternoon) High & Hot environment Incident within Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Multiple Jurisdictions land involved in incident (Fed + State lands) If you have checked “Yes” on 10 or more of the analysis boxes, consider requesting the next level of helibase management and/or limit aviation flights until corrections can be made.
Completed By:_________________________________ Date:___ ___________ Management Recipient:___________________________ Date:_______________