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N-9065 National Interagency Leadplane Pilot Training Course

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General Information

Forms

Course Materials

Click the individual links to download material or download all materials in one zip file (not yet available).

Unit/TopicPresentationsMaterials
Helicopter dropping retardant

Unit:  Introduction

SEAT flying in over a group of firefighters looking on.

Unit 1:  Safety​​

Firefighter taking a photo of a SEAT dropping water.

Unit 2:  Communications Verbal Skills and Brevity

Overview of mountains with smoke hanging in the valleys.

Unit 3:  Mountain Flying and Weather

Water scooper dropping water.

Unit 4:  Checklists and Single Pilot Resource Management

Large airtanker dropping retardant.

Unit 5:  In Route and Time Management

Wildfire burning down the mountains.

Unit 6: FTA and High Low Recon

Firefight stands on road and watches SEAT dropping water over burning hillside.

Unit 7:  Leadplane Profile Exit Maneuver and Exit Route

SEAT flying in over a range land fire and dropping water.

Unit 8:  Situational Awareness and Judgement

Large military airtanker sitting on the tarmac with wildfire smoke in background.

Unit 9:  Responsibility for Separation and Join Ups

Large fire in heavy timber putting up dark, black smoke.

Unit 10:  Strategy and Tactics

mountain scene with green forest in foreground and blue skies.

Unit 11:  Post Flight and Non-Mission Topics

SEAT dropping retardant.

Unit 12:  Phase 2 and 3 and Sign Offs

Large helicopter siphoning water from a lake.

Unit 13:  Flight Training

SEAT dropping a load of water.

Unit 14:  Course Review

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee