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Aviation Communications

 

Discuss the following information in terms of effective communication with aircraft. Involve the pilot in this discussion.

  • Establish an air-to-ground frequency on the fire, and make sure everyone knows what it is.
  • Avoid switching frequencies in the middle of an operational period.
  • Discuss Guard frequencies:
    • How they work.
    • When to use them.
    • What frequencies are established for aircraft in your area?
  • Aviation communication should be clear, concise, and to the point.
  • Use standard terminology that can be understood by everyone you are talking to. Do not use local slang.
  • Know what you want to say before you key the microphone. Don’t think and talk at the same time.
  • Before you key your microphone to talk, ensure you are not cutting into another transmission.
  • Identify who you want to talk to by the call sign and identify yourself in every transmission.
  • If the frequency gets congested, request another frequency. Upon receipt, ensure that all people who need to be on the new frequency transfer to that frequency.
  • When giving ground descriptions, describe the location as if you are viewing it from the direction an aircraft would be traveling. Use a common frame of reference for the sender and receiver.
  • Use easily understandable directions, such as north, south, east, west, 2 o’clock, 9 o’clock, left 20 degrees, right 45 degrees, etc.
  • When giving directions, always give them in relation to the pilot’s perspective.

 

Category
Aviation
References
IAT online class A-109 Aviation Radio Use
NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510

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Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

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Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal