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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management, PMS 530

NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1

How to Use Workbook

IMPORTANT: How To Use Workbook

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Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Equipment | Operations

SYSTEM:  Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation Lack of Standardization

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Performance Capabilities and Limitations Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG)

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference

Possible

Critical

High

 Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Equipment Rappel anchor failure

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. 

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Spotter anchor failure

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. 

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
ICS communications not available to all rappelers

Possible

Critical

High

 National rappel template for Schedule B.

Rare

Critical

Medium
Communication Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation)

Possible

Critical

High

 Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Configuration Doors off flight; crash survivability

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Doors off flight; non secured items

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
External basket security

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Assure security of external loads prior to mission.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Maintenance Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Aircraft Health Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.)

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

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

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits