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S-372, Helicopter Management (ILT)

Course Title
Helicopter Management (ILT)
Training Required For
HMGB 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2009

Previous Certification Dates

2000-03

Course Number
S-372
Other Training Which Supports
HLCO Helicopter Coordinator
Course Description

This course prepares students to perform the job of Helicopter Manager (HMGB). Unit lectures supported by PowerPoint slides and graphics are designed to facilitate class discussion and group exercises. The final exercise gives students a realistic Helicopter Manager experience; in addition to answering test questions, the student completes necessary forms required by the position.

Course Objective

Perform the tasks required of a Helicopter Manager (HMGB) trainee. Through simulation and exercises, students obtain the skill to competently and safely manage a helicopter to support incident and project helicopter operations.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Satisfactory performance as Helicopter Crewmember (HECM).

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
The lead instructor must be a qualified Helibase Manager (HEBM).
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
References, some are agency specific or aircraft specific. Instructor will use what is needed.
National, regional, and local area supplements, manuals, and policies
Overdue, mission, or crashed aircraft procedures/guide for the geographical area
Helicopter manager kit
Project Aviation Safety Plan
Regional Type 3 Helicopter Contract
Helicopter ARA with pertinent supplements.
Performance charts.
Conversion charts.
Weight and balance data sheet.
Aircraft flight manuals.
Blank reference HIGE/HOGE charts for the B3 A-Star.
AS350 B2 A-Star performance charts.
For the Aviation Business System (ABS) hands-on exercise, each pair of students will need one computer with the ABS Disconnect Application loaded.

Course Updates
2009 Version
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.

Business Steward
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee IHOPS
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Unit instructors must be qualified as Helicopter Managers (HMGB).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size should be limited to 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 5:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size should be limited to 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 5:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the 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