Skip to main content

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

HECM Helicopter Crewmember

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
AMC Aviation Management Committee
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

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date:  May 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system. 

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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 Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page