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S-378, Aerial Supervision (ILT)

Course Title
Aerial Supervision (ILT)
Training Required For
ATGS 310-1 Training Path 01, HLCO 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2009

Previous Certification Dates

2003-11
1999-02

Course Number
S-378
Course Description

This course is designed to meet the training needs of an Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), lead plane pilot, and Aerial Supervision Module (ASM) crewmember as outlined in the Interagency Aerial Supervision Guide (IASG), PMS 505. Topics include aerial supervision program introduction, aerial supervision roles and responsibilities, administration, training, certification, currency, policies, incident aircraft, suppressants and retardants, aerial supervision mission procedures, aerial firefighting strategy and tactics, incident aircraft operations, all-hazard incidents, and safety.

Course Objective

Describe efficient procedures for utilization of aircraft to meet incident objectives.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Students must meet the position prerequisites for their respective target group positions.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor must be a qualified Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS).
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
Handheld VHF AM Radios (10 ea).
FM to Helmet Adapter (King Helmet adapter) (20 ea).
Helmet to Aviation Headset (GA to U92 adapter) (20 ea).
Power Supplies for Air Attack Radio kit (3 ea).
Dummy loads for Air Attack Kits (6 ea).
Plotters (20 ea).
Regional/Local Mobilization Guide (1ea).
Salt Lake City sectional (1 per student) at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/VFRC…

Course Updates
2009 Version
As of March 2020, the Interagency Single Engine Airtanker Operations Guide, PMS 506 was discontinued and combined with the NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508.

All radio equipment and radio frequency use for the course (classroom simulations, field exercises, course logistics, etc.) requires specific authorization and must be coordinated and assigned through the local agency frequency coordinator or the Communications Duty Officer at the NIFC National Interagency Incident Communications Division, as appropriate. Radio equipment and frequencies for training should be requested well in advance of course start date (at least two months) and shall be released/returned to the issuing entity upon course conclusion.

Optional materials have been developed to enhance the students understanding of the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) relative to the Air Tactical Group Supervisor position. Instructors who choose to use the optional materials to enhance the course should be familiar with the lesson and its contents and determine how it will be used in the course. The materials are available here: http://wfdss.usgs.gov/wfdss/WFDSS_NWCG_WFDSS.shtml.

B3 Combined Helicopter/Airplane Safety was replaced with A-100 Basic Aviation Safety in December 2013. Cadre will need to update the reference, from B3 to A-100, in the Instructor Guide on page 5 and on the Sample Nomination Letter on page 9.

Business Steward
IASS Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Unit instructor cadre should include a lead plane pilot, airtanker pilot, Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO), state/regional aviation safety manager and/or Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD), Operations Section Chief (OSC), and an Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

The ideal class size is 12 students. It is highly recommended that the maximum class size be limited to 16 students.

Class Size Recommendations

The ideal class size is 12 students. It is highly recommended that the maximum class size be limited to 16 students.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249