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.
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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.
- 10 & 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
- 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
- 18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
- Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)
- NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
- NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510
- RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
- Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
Have an idea or feedback?
Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.