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Interagency Airspace Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Airspace Subcommittee (IASC) provides national leadership in airspace coordination issues for the NWCG member agencies. The IASC promotes and enables safe, effective, and standardized flight missions within the National Airspace System (NAS).

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Primary Objectives

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  • Develop and disseminate materials that contribute to clear and mutual understanding of airspace use and related issues.
  • Provide aviation managers and dispatchers with the necessary resources to enhance aircraft coordination within the national airspace.
  • Promote safe, consistent, and standardized approaches to address airspace coordination responsibilities in the airspace that overflies the public and private lands protected by the member agencies.
  • Identify airspace management and coordination responsibilities among the entities that manage and share the national airspace including the Federal Aviation Administration, military, and participating state and local agencies.

Dedicated to providing information so land management agencies can safely use the National Airspace System

This safety oriented website is dedicated to airspace issues involving USDA-Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.  Airspace issues are constantly changing as a result of our current national situation.  Temporary Flight Restrictions are not only for wildfire or disaster related situations but now encompass homeland security issues and public safety.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) graphical depictions and TFR NOTAM (Notification to Airmen) text are available from a variety of sources.  It is important to be aware of how often the websites are updated as TFRs can (and do) frequently change.

Pilots should always obtain current flight information from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).  A complete pre-flight briefing should always be obtained before attempting any flight in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Forms

Guidance Documents

US NOTAM Office Website/Defense Internet NOTAM System (aka DINS)

This Site provides real time access to current NOTAM information which is derived from the FAA Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center in Warrenton, VA.  Current NOTAMs are accessed by selecting the "ARTCC TFR's" button and scrolling to the appropriate ARTCC.

The DINS page incorporates many features to assist the user when retrieving NOTAM requests. Real time NOTAM data is available, and contains all NOTAMs validated by the U.S. NOTAM System (USNS), which includes domestic, international, military and from Flight Data Centers (FDC).

FAA - TFR List

This list is from FAA Headquarters. There is sometimes a 30-45 minutes delay before the TFR shows up on the website (it is posted on DINS in real time.) To see the actual NOTAM text, click on the NOTAM number, then click on the box that states “NOTAM Text.” To see the graphic, click on the depicted graphic or on the box that says “Click for Sectional.” The TFRs may sorted by the bars across the top (Date, Facility, State, Type) or by using the selection boxes above the TFR listings for State, Centers or Type.

FAA - TFR Map

Select by State or Center or click on the map to zoom in. Below the map will be a list of the TFRs that are displayed.

Pilot Web

An FAA sponsored page that provide General Aviation (GA) Pilots with access to the following information: Flight Safety NOTAMS, Weather, Graphical TFR depictions, Radius Search (NOTAM), Flight path search (NOTAM), WAAS availability and other information pertinent to pilots.

Federal NOTAM System Concept of Operations Applications

Details on the FNS prototype applications can be found here. It includes both the applications provided to support Digital NOTAM origination and distribution.

Airspace Safety

Agreements and Plans - some useful examples

Publications and Training

Tools

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Information

Chair: Kim Owczarzak

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

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

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)