2010/11 Pre Fire Season Aviation Briefing

Welcome and Outline.

• Fire Season 2009/10 in Review.

• Royal Commission.

• SAU Policy and Procedures.

• State Fleet Aircraft 2010/11.

• Operational Information.

• Innovation.

• Into 2011 and Beyond.

Season2009/10

in Review.

Did You Know?

Season 2009/10.

• Approx 4100hrs flown by Agencies.

• Approx 2000hrs flown by Agencies – fire suppression.

2010/11 Significant Occurrences.

• Lost items in-flight x 3.• Doors opening in-flight x 3.• Airspace issues x 5.• False activation ELT.

State Aircraft Unit &

State Airdesk.

RoyalCommission.

Royal Commission – Aviation Outcomes.

1. Improve preparedness and resourcing of Agency air operations.

2. Improved request and dispatch procedures.

3. Better use of ADF resources.

SAU Policy & Procedures

SAUPs

SAUPs.

“These SAUPs will operate in conjunction with existing CFA and DSE aviation documentationfor the next 6 months.From October 2010 the SAUPs will become the stand alone procedural document for the operation of aircraft by the participating Agencies and the existing Agency aviation documentation shall be revoked.”

“You are instructed to comply with the attached SAUPs when planning and conducting all Agency aircraft operations…”

State Fleet Aircraft 2010/11.

Additional / Changes of Aircraft for 2010/11 Fire Season.

• 2 x Convair 580 MEATs – TBA – 8000lt.

• Bellytank B3 Squirrels at Benalla & Bendigo.

• Bell B212 with Ovens to support rappel crews.

• Bell B206BIII – AAS platforms for both Type 1 Sikorsky S61

helicopters.

• Some changes to callsigns – TBA.

• Addit. Erickson Aircrane & AAS platform – TBC.

• Bomber 355 at Bairnsdale becomes Turbine Dromader.

• 2nd IR Linescan Beechcraft Kingair 200.

• 5 / 6 Regional reconnaissance fixed wing aircraft

– tenders closed 7 Oct.

• Vox audio on all AAS platforms / recce aircraft.

• Remote operated long line hook for Ovens,

Moorabbin and Essendon Type 3 Services.

• NVG capacity on FB302 Service.

• Majority of Firebirds – AI capable.

Enhancements to Helicopter Services.

Type 1 Helicopters.

• Helitack 341 – Erickson S64F Air-Crane:– Essendon – includes AAS platform Firebird 307.

• Helitack 342 – Erickson S64E Air-Crane:– Essendon – includes AAS platform Firebird 309.

• Helitack 343 – Erickson S64E Air-Crane:– TBA – includes AAS platform Firebird 308.

• Helitack 347 – Sikorsky S61N:– Colac – Firebombing – fixed tank/bambi bucket;

• Sling load, rappel*, PAX transport 18.

• Helitack 348 – Sikorsky S61N:– Mansfield – firebombing – bambi bucket;

• Sling load, rappel*, PAX transport 18.

Type 2 & 3 Tactical Helicopters.

• Helitack 331 – Bell B212 – Moorabbin;

• Helitack 332 – Bell B212 – Ovens;

• Helitack 333 – Bell B212 – Heyfield;

– all bellytank equipped, rappel, crew transport.

• Helitack 334 – Bell B212 – TBC (Bell B412 2010/2011 only);

– firebombing, rappel*, crew transport.

• Helitack 335 – Bell 214B – Olinda;

– firebombing, limited crew transport.

• Firebird 336 – B3 Squirrel (Type 3) – Bendigo;

• Firebird 337 – B3 Squirrel (Type 3) – Benalla;

– both bellytank equipped – no onboard AAS.

• Firebird 338 – Bell 206L (bucket) – LTV (HVP aircraft).

Type 3 Helicopters.

• Firebird 301 – Bell B206 – Horsham.

• Firebird 302 – AS 350FX – Moorabbin.

• Firebird 303 – AS 350BA – Ovens.

• Firebird 304 – AS 350D – Bairnsdale.

• Firebird 305 – Bell B206 – Bendigo.

• Firebird 306 – AS 350D – Moorabbin-2hr/15min.

• Firebird 307 – TBC – Essendon (AAS platform HT341).

• Firebird 308 – TBA – TBA (AAS platform HT343).

• Firebird 309 – TBC – Essendon (AAS platform HT342).

• Firebird 310 – Bell B206 – Colac (AAS platform HT347).

• Firebird 311 – Bell B206 – Mansfield (AAS platform HT348).

• Firebird 312 – AS 350BA – Olinda (Melb Water).

Multi Engine Airtanker (MEATs).

• 2 x Convair 580 Airtankers – 2010/11 season only.

• 8000 lts capacity each.

• NOB – Avalon – TBC.

• Possible satellite bases – East/West Sale, Albury.

• POB – Cooma, Hamilton, Portland, Mildura.

• Foam, gel, retardant capable.

• Aero Commander AAS platform.

• Managed by SAU/SAD – as per Aircranes.

• AAS to operate same as per SEATs.

Fixed Wing Recce and Specialist Aircraft.

• Birddog 366 – Cessna C337 Essendon – EARs.

• 5/6 Regional / State reconnaissance single/twin engine,

fixed high wing, NOB TBA, SAD standby notification

12hrs to15min, Area/District activation – advice to SAD.

Infra-red line scanning.

• Firescan 300 – Beech King Air – Essendon.

• Firescan 350 – Beech King Air – Essendon.

Operational Information.

Aviation Management Procedures.

For Pilots - No changes to procedures for:

• Mandatory 5nm inbound calls to fire/airbase;

• Fire CTAF frequencies;

• Flight Following Procedures;

• Requirement - 2 x aero & 2 x Agency radios;

• “No comms - no go”.

Changes to Cross Border Arrangements.

Chief pilots/operators to ensure all pilots briefed on:

• all operational; and

• deployment procedures.

Preparedness Procedures.

• Greater expectation that preparedness is in place - State Controller & State Fire Commissioner.

• Intent to have a standard aviation preparedness template.

Standby & Deployment

Arrangements.

Request and Dispatch Procedures.• ALL State Fleet aircraft initial dispatch is via SAD even if request originates from

aircraft’s “home” location. No self activation.

• Location/comms details provided on deployment.

• On departure from NOB - all State Fleet aircraft shall call SAD.

• Automatically monitor Fire CTAF 132.55 unless advised by SAD.

• Area/District light fixed wing aircraft deployed locally. Staff advise SAD on deployment. Fire CTAF advised to Area/District.

Preparedness Protocols.

• Involvement of State Fire Commissioner?

• Preparedness /trigger levels dependant on risk and FDI’s and respective Agency requirements.

• State Preparedness Plan – prepared by SAC, agreed by both Agencies SDO on day to day basis.

• Repositioning protocol depends on predicted threat.

• Includes aircraft, personnel and support resources.

• Additional tactical CWN aircraft on standby – approved by both Agency SDOs.

Radio System Changes.

• All trunk radios fitted to all aircraft and related aviation

resources are now a single fleet known as the SAU Fleet.

• Enables all Agencies to have equitable access to aircraft

communications – 3 digit dialling.

• Approved by AMC, CFA & DSE Comms committees.

• Fleet numbering and allocation to be managed by the SAU.

• Trunk radio directory to be distributed to all Agency

personnel.

• Independent of current CFA and DSE Trunk Fleets.

• SAU Trunk fleet: 233 – 4001 – xxx.

Changes to Trunk Radio System.

• CFA moving to P25 digital radio system.

• DSE – no indication of timeline.

• This season – no changes.

• Agreement that the current 250 conventional (simplex) channels will remain in the new radios.

• Current work on a new master channel table for the new radio terminals which will include digital channels.

• No agreement yet on a timeline to manage joint incidents using P25 digital channels.

• The SAU will be evaluating P25 digital mode in aircraft under flight conditions over the next 24 months.

Changes to Simplex Radio System.

Training.

• Many Air Attack Supervisors & Air Observers – very little flying last year

– currency.

• Increased mentoring of “provisional” roles required.

• “Regional” aircraft exercises – coordinated by Agency Area/Districts –

plans to be submitted to SAU – aircraft supplied by SAU/SAD only on

approval of plans.

• “Regional” retardant forums – raise awareness of retardant mixing

systems and quality control issues – early Nov – Bairnsdale, Mansfield,

Stawell – Graeme Briggs.

• New Air Operations Flight Log & Evidence Record – serial no. and

issued to individuals.

• Airbase Radio Operator manual finalised – “Regional” package

available for delivery by appropriate trainers.

Training.

Retardant Quality Control Log Book.

Locust Operations.

• Program managed by DPI – Ops have commenced.

• Bigger than 2006 program.

• Aircraft procured by DPI to SAU standards.

• Up to 16 x spray and recce helicopters and fixed wing

aircraft – Oct/Nov & Jan/Feb.

• All operations conducted as per SAUPs.

• Agency personnel may be requested for AO, ABM, and

AOb roles. Air spray coordinator – AAS prerequisite.

• DPI responsible for conducting integration briefings.

• No door off or low level operations by personnel.

• No Fire CTAF for locust ops.

Locust Operations.

Safety & Management.

• Standard template for all cross border ops – NSW & SA – being developed – authorised by AMC.

• Individual local arrangements extension of template.

Includes:

• 132.55 not the default cross border Fire CTAF – TBA.

• Mandatory advice of cross border ops between Districts/Agencies and respective SADs.

• Firebombing to be supervised – AAS.

• AIIMs positions to be filled asap.

• Still resolving – “which procedures”.

Cross Border Arrangements.

• Operators advised in early 2010.

• Ensures compliance with CASA regulations by avoiding situations where aircraft maintained to the Aerial Work standard are being used to perform Charter operations.

• Will provide greater flexibility for Agency operations.

• Require an Air Operators Certificate that authorises the company to perform Charter operations and aircraft maintained to the charter standard.

• Will be an additional cost to the operator and reasonable cost may be passed onto the client.

• Exemptions for 2010/11 fire season may be applied for on a case by case basis.

Charter vs Aerial Work Arrangements.

• All non-fireline helipads to be inspected, approved by accredited Agency personnel – from issues raised from NSW / Dorrigo fatality.

• Aimed at ensuring safety and ensuring owners approvals are obtained.

• All will be registered on Fireweb.

• Checklist being developed.

• Includes all helipads in existing Agency depots etc.

• 3 year approval period.

• Reg form and procedures - SAUP FO2.02.

• David Paton contact person.

Mandatory Helipad Registration & Approval.

• All State Fleet aircraft contract specification audit by mid Jan 2011 – will include attendance by pilots at pre-season briefings.

• CWN aircraft – 40% by mid Feb 2011.

• Improved reporting to companies – pdf/email 24hr to Company - Eain McRae.

• In conjunction – airbase & helipad audits – Graeme Briggs.

• Flight log audits – On-going audits to review the

maintenance of these records and compliance with the

legislation.

Aircraft, Airbase & Flight Log Audits.

2010 results

2009 results

• Aircraft stand down matrix and SAUP being finalised.

• To provide guidance to Agency personnel for the stand down of and re-instatement of aviation resources, where required – AOM, AAS, AO. ABM, AOb etc.

• Examples for which a stand down may be invoked:

– Near miss;

– Accident / incident;

– Non compliance;

– Safety violation;

– Wilful negligence.

• Verbal or written advice to pilot – IC and SAD immediately.

Stand Down Process.

Stand Down Matrix

Documentation.

Documentation.

• On-line pilot and aircraft CWN register – open for registration.

• Pilot Cockpit handbooks – distributed early Nov.

• Flight Operations Returns – poor completion AAS/AOb

– more books from David Paton.

• AAS reports – 90% returned for 2009/10.

• Air Ops Checklists / Information book – new issue – TBA.

• CFA Districts – FOR/recce aircraft invoice to Taina.

• DSE Areas – copies of recce FORs to Taina/Lyall – poor

response for 2009/10.

Innovation.

Night Vision Goggles.

• FB302 service – equipped for NVG operations.

• SAU will purchase NVGs.

• Only aerial reconnaissance & aerial incendiary operations.

• Work over 2010/11 till all CASA approvals obtained.

• Small pool of accredited Air Observers and Incendiary Ops

Supervisors to be trained to NVG flight crew status.

• Strict Go/No Go requirements for missions – SAUP.

• Requirement for operational support – post last light.

Gels.

• Trialled from SEATs during 2010 AAS courses – in canopy.

• Trial showed that the drop pattern in canopy was good.

Mist/cloud portion was not present and the time the Gel was

in the air was greatly reduced.

• Provided a high adherence to elevated and vertical fuel

surfaces and provided an increased cooling and wetting

time on the ground fuels.

• Operational trials this season – also with Convairs.

• TBA product to be trialled.

Into 2011.

• M View – trial continues into additional fixed wing recce aircraft.

• 3 yr aircraft dispatch systems project initiate in 2011.

• Upgrade to IR Linescan system and IR request protocol.

• Aerial intelligence gathering platforms and systems trial.

• FLIR upgrade.

• Airbase Communications upgrade – min standard – dual aero radios, 3 x agency

radios, ADSP / Next G connection.

• Additional ADT being constructed for SW/Horsham – upgrades to existing ADTs over

next 6mths.

• Additional incendiary machines purchased.

• LTV airbase being completed, Snowy Range strip to be gravelled, loading slab at Vic

Valley, Mt Hotham works to commence.

Into 2011.

Safety is the paramount consideration in all Agency aircraft

operations.

At all times care must be taken in aerial activities and ground support activities to ensure that the highest

possible standards of safety are maintained.