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S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (ILT)

Course Title
Helicopter Crewmember (ILT)
Version Date

2010

Previous Certification Dates

2004-11
1993-11

Course Number
S-271
Course Description

This is a combined classroom/field course designed to provide student proficiency in all areas of the tactical and logistical use of helicopters to achieve efficiency and standardization. Topics include aviation safety, aircraft capabilities and limitations, aviation life support equipment, aviation mishap reporting, pre-flight checklist and briefing/debriefing, aviation transportation of hazardous materials, crash survival, helicopter operations, helicopter field exercise. Refer to the Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Guide for IAT A-course equivalencies: https://www.iat.gov/.

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in all identified areas of helicopter use to safely achieve efficiency and standardization.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Fire personnel: Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
The lead instructor must be a qualified Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (HMGB).
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
Sample agenda
Quizzes, handouts
NWCG Passenger/ Crew Cargo and Manifest, PMS 245
NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510
NWCG Standards for Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials, PMS 513
Interagency Load Calculations
Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Handbook
FSH 5709.16 Chapter 30 section 33- Flight Plans and Flight Following (2017)
DOI Departmental Manual 351DM1- Flight Operations Standards and Procedures

2010 Version
Completion of S-271 does not meet the recommended equivalencies for and will not provide credit for the IAT course A-110 Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials. To receive credit students must take A-110 through the IAT program.

The course materials and sample agenda incorrectly note the time allotted for the course presentation at 40 hours. The actual hours for course presentation are 24 – 26 hours allowing adequate breaks for the students. Use the updated course agenda which reflects the actual course presentation time.

Information found in Unit 7B of the Instructor Guide (p 7B.7, 7B.9) and PowerPoint slides (7B-21, 7B-28) should be updated prior to instructing. The Interagency Safety Alert 13-1, Helicopter Operations – Brace for Impact, should be used as a supplement to provide the updates.

The Basic Aviation Safety Guide listed in Appendix A Course Ordering Information and Support Information is not available for order. The most recent version of the publication, which is now called the Basic Aviation Safety Booklet can be downloaded directly from the IAT website.

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

Recommended class size is maximum 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 is maximum 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