WDFW policy and procedure 2006.pdf

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 1 of 21

09/26/2018

Effective Date: 09/26/2018

PROCEDURE 2006

Cancels:

See Also: POL-2006 – Aircraft Safety

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PPRROO 22000066 -- Aircraft Safety Procedure

1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Aircraft Safety Procedure (ASP) is to provide information and guidance that will help ensure the safety of the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s employees, authorized volunteers, and contract employees using aircraft to accomplish WDFW’s objectives. Specifically, this ASP applies to

WDFW’s use of aircraft for anything other than point-to-point travel.

This ASP applies to aircraft vendor selection, flight documentation, preflight planning, safety equipment requirements, training, and operational safety protocols.

Flying in small aircraft carries inherent risk and WDFW staff should consider alternatives to flying when that possibility exists, including using contract services to conduct aerial operations without

WDFW employees or authorized volunteers being aboard the aircraft.

Proposed exceptions to this ASP must be approved by the Director or Designee. Approved exceptions will be reported to the ASC.

The provisions of this ASP apply to WDFW employees and volunteers when participating in WDFW sponsored flights. When WDFW employees (or volunteers) are participating in non-WDFW sponsored flights (or jointly sponsored flights) the elements of WDFW ASP related to staff safety shall apply to

WDFW staff. In addition, during such flights, all other relevant elements of the WDFW ASP shall be followed as appropriate and to the extent possible. (See Appendix A – Frequently Asked Questions for additional guidance).

Use of authorized volunteers in WDFW flight operations will comply with the provisions of WDFW’s policy, Utilizing Volunteers (POL-4018), and authorized volunteers will be subject to the same requirements as WDFW staff under this ASP.

2. DEFINITIONS:

Aircraft Safety Committee (ASC): This committee coordinates aircraft safety operations within the

WDFW. The members of this committee serve as a resource to WDFW staff for information regarding http://inside.dfw.wa.gov/policies/files/pol-2006.pdf http://inside.dfw.wa.gov/policies/files/pol-4018.pdf

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 2 of 21 aircraft operations. The committee consists of a representative of WDFW’s Safety Office and representatives from each relevant program with relevant flight experience, appointed by the program

Assistant Directors. The committee will also include a WDFW pilot.

The ASC is charged with the following activities, including making any necessary recommendations to the EMT:

Developing, maintaining, and evaluating any changes or exceptions to the WDFW Aircraft

Safety Procedures (ASP).

Developing and maintaining necessary training standards and materials.

Evaluating safety equipment needs, any additions or deletions of equipment required or recommended in this ASP, and changes in equipment specifications (e.g., model types, manufacturers, and changes in technology).

Internal review as needed of any flight mishaps, incidents, and accidents involving any WDFW flight activities, in collaboration with the WDFW Safety Office and other authorized entities as legally required.

The ASC will meet at least annually and reconvene as needed. A chair will be elected by the committee.

Authorized Volunteers: A volunteer that has satisfied the requirements found within Sections 5, 9, and

14 of PRO-2006, and who has been approved for flight operations by the Program Assistant Director and Safety Office. Only authorized volunteers may participate in WDFW flight operations..

Low-level operations: All flights that utilize fundamental operational altitudes 500 ft AGL (above ground level), excepting takeoffs and landings.

Mission Supervisor: WDFW staff person with principal responsibility for a particular operation involving aircraft support. This person is essentially the on-site supervisor of any specific mission (see more on Mission Supervisor responsibilities in Section 4 below).

Point-to-point travel: Use of an aircraft to transport personnel from one point to another, where the purpose of the flight is transportation, not technical work requiring aircraft support (e.g., capture, survey, reconnaissance). Such flights will operate above 500 ft AGL, excepting takeoff and landing.

Special-use operations: These may invoke requirements above and beyond those covered by CFR 14

Part 135 and Part 91 rules. Such special-uses may include:

Flights requiring aircraft modifications such as the attachment of external antennae, skid-mounted net guns, cameras or other remote sensing devices

Flights requiring low level operations

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High-altitude (>5,000 ft. density altitude) takeoffs and landings

“Doors off” flights (e.g., animal darting, net-gunning, aerial gunning, salmon redd surveys)

Flights involving external loads (i.e., load slinging)

Flights that may require one-skid or “toe-in” landings

Aerial net gunning, darting, or aerial gunning

Overwater flights - Flights where the operational environment requires mostly flying over open water beyond power-off gliding distance from shore.

Short Haul – Flights that transport WDFW Enforcement personnel suspended below a helicopter using externally attached hauling line(s) to insert and/or extract personnel in areas that are inaccessible to landings.

3. AIRCRAFT AND PILOT SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

All non-agency aircraft chartered by WDFW employees will be listed on an “approved vendors” list maintained by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) under the State Master Contract for air charter services (accessible via the WDFW intranet site). Aircraft and pilots employed by WDFW for survey, capture, photography, telemetry, and similar uses shall meet all appropriate standards and certifications under 14 CFR Part 91. Exceptions to 14 CFR 135 and 91 standards and certifications would only apply when government owned or leased aircraft are used by WDFW employees, authorized volunteers, or contract employees. All vendor pilots used in WDFW flight operations shall possess at least a Class 2 Medical Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

WDFW flights are conducted under 14 CFR part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules. 14 CFR 91.3

(a) states, “The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.”

Pilots will not exceed eight (8) hours of flight time per day. This time does include ferry time (i.e., vendor base to operational area and/or return), but not on-ground time.

4. MISSION SUPERVISOR

A Mission Supervisor is required during WDFW sponsored flights and serves as the on-site command entity for the duration of a specific operation. Mission Supervisors are formally designated by the appropriate unit manager and shall be the decision-making authority for all mission operations. The role and identity of the Mission Supervisor will be included in mission participant briefings.

A. Qualifications:

The Mission Supervisor during WDFW flight operations:

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Will be a WDFW employee; and

Will be designated by the appropriate unit manager (i.e., Regional Program Manager, Division

Manager, or Section Manager, or designee) responsible for initiating the specific operation; and

Shall have experience in the type of aircraft operation they are supervising, and have actual flight experience in at least two (2) similar missions in the previous five (5) years.

o An experience exemption may be authorized by the Program Assistant Director (e.g., for new applications or other compelling reasons).

o An appropriately experienced Mission Supervisor from another region or division may be designated if such expertise is not available locally for a given operation. Optimally, the designated Mission Supervisor would have both application experience and local familiarity with the operational area.

B. Responsibilities:

The Mission Supervisor shall have authority to make decisions relating to a specific aircraft-supported mission and is responsible to perform the following or ensure that each item occurs:

Document plans for anticipated flights via Appendix B –Flight Planning Form and receive approval from appropriate unit manager prior to flight.

Ensure that aircraft selected for specific tasks are appropriate for such tasks. The ASC can assist mission supervisors in selecting appropriate aircraft and pilots for specific tasks.

Ensure that the mission aircraft are from the Approved Vendors List and mission pilots have appropriate skills and experience applicable to the specific tasks they are being asked to perform. Note: not all aircraft operators on the Approved Vendors List may be qualified for all types of aerial missions.

Ensure the eligibility for flight duty, under WDFW training requirements, of all personnel participating in a flight operation.

Ensure that all personnel participating in a flight operation comply with the provisions of the

Aircraft Safety Procedure.

Ensure that all flight personnel receive an appropriate pre-flight safety briefing (see examples in Appendices C and D) and that the pilot is briefed regarding known hazards to low-flying aircraft such as power lines, towers, bridges, etc.

Ensure that the number of flight personnel is limited to the number required to safely and effectively complete the mission. All persons participating in flight operations shall have clearly defined roles and shall be thoroughly briefed by the mission supervisor regarding their responsibilities.

Identify ground support entities and communicate to them (both in writing and verbally) the mission objectives (why), planned route (where), and timeline (when). The mission supervisor shall also provide ground support with a map clearly defining the flight operations area and shall ensure ground support has knowledge of, use of, and requirements of the flight-following procedures that will be used. In addition, ground support staff shall be briefed on expected timeframes for activating emergency response in the event of loss of contact with the aircraft.

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Develop an emergency response plan attached to the Flight Planning Form (Appendix B) for that operation that includes the following:

o A list of emergency contact information for appropriate WDFW chain of command staff, and each crew member involved in the operation. The Mission Supervisor shall carry the above lists on their person and provide a copy to on-site ground support.

o The primary and secondary radio channels and phone numbers to use for communication between aircraft, crew, and ground support personnel.

o Location of, and contact information for, the appropriate emergency response entity.

o List of any special supplies that should be added to the first aid and/or survival kits that may be warranted for that specific mission.

o Shall, if necessary, report all irregular operations or incidents per Section 11.

5. SAFETY EQUIPMENT

All aircraft shall be equipped with the following standard minimum equipment and safety items:

Emergency Locating Transmitter (ELT)

First Aid Kit

Fire Extinguisher

Global Positioning System (GPS)

For specific mission types, refer to the equipment and training requirements shown in the following table:

Flight Equipment and Training Requirements

Aircraft

Type

Type of Flight Equipment In

Aircraft

PPE Training:

Required Every 3

Years

Fixed

Wing

Over land – more than 500’

AGL (above ground level)

Standard Hearing protection Basic flight

Over water -more than 500’

AGL

Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment, pyrotechnic signaling device, PLB.

Hearing protection.

Manually inflatable

PFD (must be worn at all times in single engine aircraft).

Basic flight, Water

Ditching and

Survival**

Over land -less than 500’

AGL

Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment.

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing

Basic flight

Over water -less than 500’

Standard + survival kit, portable

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant

Basic Flight, Water

Ditching and

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 6 of 21

AGL communications equipment, portable

VHF marine radio, pyrotechnic signaling device, PLB.

clothing, and

Emergency Breathing

System (EBS).

Manually inflatable

PFD (must be worn at all times in single engine a/c).

Survival**(w/under water egress with

EBS)

Helicopter Over land – more than 500’

AGL

Standard Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing.

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter

Over land -

Under 500’

AGL

Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment

Hearing protection helmet*, fire resistant clothing

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter

Over water Standard + survival kit, portable comm.

equipment, portable

VHF marine radio, pyrotechnic signaling device, PLB

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing. Emergency

Breathing System

(EBS). Manually inflatable PFD (must be worn at all times).

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter, Water

Ditching and

Survival(w/under water egress with

EBS)

Doors-Off (any altitude)

Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment, PLB

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing.

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter

Capture Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment, PLB

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing.

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter, Capture

Crew Helicopter

Gunner/Mugger Standard + survival kit, portable communications equipment, PLB

Hearing protection, helmet*, fire resistant clothing, safety harness and tether for gunner.

Basic Flight, Basic

Helicopter, Capture

Crew Helicopter, Gunner/Mugger

Helicopter

Short-Haul

(Enforcement

Only)

Standard + as required by lead entity.

As required by lead entity.

As required by lead entity.

*Helmets are not required on multi-engine aircraft

**Water Ditching and Survival training is not required for twin-engine fixed wing aircraft

Equipment Descriptions:

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Emergency Breathing System (EBS): Emergency device to assist a crewmember or passenger in making an emergency egress from a submerged aircraft. By extending the time that can be spent underwater, an EBS improves the chances of making a successful escape from a water ditching/capsize and reduces the risk of drowning.

Emergency Locater Transmitter (ELT): Emergency transmitter (406 MHz) mounted to an aircraft designed to automatically send a distress signal from an aircraft in distress (on impact or manually triggered).

First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit with appropriate supplies.

Fire Resistant Clothing: Protective clothing that burns slowly (or self-extinguishes after being exposed to flame) designed to reduce the risk of burn injury to the wearer in the case of a fire. Note: Nomex III is a synthetic, fire-resistant fabric routinely used in making fire resistant clothing o A complete set of fire resistant clothing would include:

o Nomex III flight suit or firefighting uniform (REQUIRED). Sleeves shall reach the palm of the hand and the pant legs shall extend below the tops of the boots.

o Gloves made of Nomex III, leather, or wool (REQUIRED). Shall extend above wrist and overlap with sleeves.

o Boots made of leather and/or rubber (REQUIRED). Shall extend over ankles and overlap with pant legs. For over-water flights ensure that footwear is compatible with survival equipment in use (e.g., easy removal for donning survival suit).

o Under garments: NOTE - Under garments and socks made of Nomex III, cotton, wool, and cotton-wool blends offer additional burn protection because synthetic materials can melt and cause serious burn injuries - even when worn under fire-resistant outerwear.

Full-body safety harness and tether: An approved full-body safety harness and tether in addition to the standard aircraft seatbelt.

GPS: Global Positioning System unit.

Helmet: An appropriate helicopter safety helmet (e.g., the Gentex SPH-4, SPH-5, HGU-84, and HGU-56, or equivalent). Helmets need to connect to the appropriate jacks in the aircraft’s intercom and must be worn with earplugs with NRR 30 protection, or be equipped with active noise reduction technology.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD): A U.S. Coast Guard / FAA approved manually inflatable personal flotation device appropriate for potential water ditching (i.e., not an auto-inflatable vest)

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): A 406 MHz hand-held emergency radio locator beacon, GPS enabled and capable of providing homing signals to assist search and rescue operations.

Each person performing over water flights must carry a PLB. The ASC can assist staff with specifications and vendors for such equipment. An EPIRB (Emergency Position

Indicating Radio Beacon) is functionally equivalent.

Portable Communication Equipment: Depending on locale, topography and coverage, this could be a VHF radio, cell phone or satellite phone (used with the understanding that use will be limited or not possible when helmets are required). For flights over marine environments

(e.g., Puget Sound or coastal areas) portable emergency radios must be capable of transmitting and receiving on marine band frequencies, and such radios will float and be waterproof . Each person deploying from a helicopter in the field during animal capture or survey operations will carry portable communication equipment with them.

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VHF Radio: Aircraft shall be equipped with an on-board VHF radio. In addition, aircraft operating over marine environments should also have a marine band VHF radio (portable ok).

Survival Kit: A kit containing items to be used during emergencies –customized for local conditions and specific needs.

6. SAFETY BRIEFINGS

Prior to all missions, the pilot shall conduct a safety briefing for all personnel participating in the flight or that will be in close proximity to the aircraft while it is on the ground. The Mission Supervisor will be responsible to ensure that the pre-flight safety briefing for all personnel covers all essential items – see Appendices C (Fixed-wing Aircraft) or D (Helicopters) for examples of pre-flight safety elements.

Note that additional information may also need to be addressed depending upon the specific mission.

Pre-flight briefings will also be used by the mission supervisor to provide information to the vendor pilots regarding the locations of known hazards to low-flying aircraft (e.g., antenna arrays, power lines, cell phone towers). Where known hazards exist, vendor pilots will be shown their locations on appropriate topographic maps or aeronautical charts.

7. FLIGHT PLANNING AND DOCUMENTATION

Flight plans and flight following are intended to support the basic flight safety principle that the chances of a good outcome for those involved in a mishap (e.g., accident, forced landing, stranding) are improved if someone not on the flight is able to detect their predicament and their approximate location rapidly. All WDFW flight plans and flight following applications must be designed to fulfill that basic principle. WDFW staff shall be afforded flexibility in accomplishing this goal, but near “real time” updating of status and location are required.

Flight Plans: Written documentation is required for all WDFW flight missions and must include all information shown in Appendix B. This documentation serves as a WDFW Flight Plan.

Standard FAA Flight Plans, if filed, shall follow all applicable FARs, but shall not replace the required WDFW Flight Plan.

Flight Following: All agency flight operations require flight following. Ground support personnel must be trained and familiar with the flight following system and protocol, and must be available prior to initiating a flight. Potential flight following ground support personnel may include the aircraft vendor’s ground crew, WDFW staff, or external agency staff (e.g., USFS, BLM, DNR, County Sheriff, or State Patrol). Any ground support personnel tasked with flight following responsibility must monitor the communications equipment (e.g., cell phone and/or

VHF radio) or computer console (for automated flight following) at all times during the flight.

They must also receive appropriate training related to the specific communications equipment and the pre-determined response guidelines for that operation.

A variety of acceptable options exist to meet the requirement for Flight Following. One of the following communication methods, or equivalent, may be used:

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 9 of 21

Air-to-ground radio contact

Cell phone updates via call or text messaging (where reception is known to be consistent)

Computer-assisted Automated Flight Following (AFF) - provides an aircraft’s position information (as geographic coordinates) to ground support personnel, at intervals not to be less than once every 15 minutes

Devices that provide geographic information to ground support personnel (e.g., Spot®

Tracker, In Reach®, or PLB with “safe call” capability)

Flight Following must provide status and location updates for ground support personnel at least every 30 minutes, but may be more frequent. . Updates will also be provided anytime a major change in operational location occurs (even if it occurs within a 30-minute reporting window).

Status and location updates will occur more frequently if utilizing AFF.

At a minimum, the following response guidelines should be observed by the ground support personnel:

Radio/phone based flight following. In the event that a scheduled contact is not received from the aircraft at the appointed time, the ground support personnel will attempt to establish communication with the aircraft and verify status and location of the aircraft. If contact has not been established with the aircraft after 30 minutes of attempts, a search-and-rescue operation will be initiated using the procedures established by the

Mission Supervisor for that flight operation.

Automated Flight Following (AFF). If AFF interval monitoring suggests that an aircraft has remained stationary for 30 minutes (or if reporting ceases, or any other irregularity is noted in the AFF record), the ground support personnel will initiate continuous AFF monitoring, while checking the status of the AFF system and attempting to contact the aircraft via radio and/or phone. If the aircraft remains stationary for 30 minutes with no clear explanation, the ground support personnel will initiate a search-and-rescue operation using the procedures established by the Mission Supervisor for that flight operation.

8. SMOKING AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS

Smoking is not permitted within 50 feet of any aircraft, fuel truck, or fuel storage structure.

No pilot shall fly a WDFW sponsored mission if they have consumed alcoholic beverages within 8 hours of a flight operation, or if they are in any way impaired by drug (including prescription or over-the-counter medications) or alcohol consumption. Likewise, all personnel participating in flight operations must report to work in a condition fit to perform their assignments unimpaired by alcohol or drugs. WDFW staff and authorized volunteers will also comply with the provisions of WDFW’s Policy

(2002), Ensuring a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace , and accompanying procedures. All WDFW flight participants have the responsibility to notify the Mission Supervisor and the pilot if they are aware of, or suspect, impairment of another flight participant due to drug or alcohol use.

9. PASSENGER SELECTION

http://inside.dfw.wa.gov/policies/search.php?Category=2000

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 10 of 21

Flight personnel will be limited to the number of people required to safely and effectively complete a flight mission as determined by the mission supervisor. All persons participating in flight operations will:

Have clearly defined roles; and

Be thoroughly briefed by the mission supervisor regarding their responsibilities; and

Be formally trained in aircraft safety, as defined by Section 14 (below).

In collaborative flight applications involving WDFW sponsored flights all participants including collaborators (e.g., other agencies, Tribal partners, and university employees) must comply with all

WDFW flight safety standards and protocols. Note: the collaborators may be offered the opportunity to attend WDFW aviation safety training if appropriate.

When WDFW employees (or volunteers) are participating in non-WDFW sponsored flights (or a jointly funded flight) the WDFW protocols directly related to staff safety, such as PPE, training, and flight following shall apply to WDFW staff. In addition, other relevant WDFW protocols shall be followed as appropriate and to the extent possible.

All authorized volunteers participating in flight operations must:

Be formally enrolled as a WDFW volunteer using appropriate procedures (see Volunteer

Information Page); and

Comply with all applicable WDFW policies regarding volunteers; and

Be formally trained in aircraft safety, as defined by Section 14 (below); and

Be approved for each operation by the program Assistant Director and Safety Office.

All records documenting the authorization and training of volunteers will be managed by the

Human Resources Office. Updating of these records is the responsibility of the department’s Volunteer

Program Manager.

The number of passengers aboard an aircraft used in support of a WDFW sponsored operation shall be limited at all times to the maximum number for which the aircraft is designed and rated. A personal restraint device (e.g., seatbelt) will be available and will be used at all times during flight, by all WDFW personnel and by all persons aboard an aircraft used by WDFW.

10. INCIDENT REPORTING

The FAR’s and NTSB’s (49CFR Part 830) procedures shall be followed in reporting accidents. In addition, the Mission Supervisor will report all irregular operations or incidents to the appropriate

Department entities (identified parenthetically by bullet item, below). Reportable incidents shall include:

Any damage incurred to an aircraft during a WDFW-sponsored flight (ASC and Risk

Management).

All injuries (Supervisor, WDFW Safety Office). In addition, injuries that are directly related to the flight operations must also be reported to the ASC. For example, an injury inflicted by a captured animal independent of flight operations is not a reportable flight operations incident.

http://inside.dfw.wa.gov/employees/volunteers.html http://inside.dfw.wa.gov/employees/volunteers.html

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All incidents where a WDFW employee or authorized volunteer involved in a flight considers the pilot’s, or other personnel’s, actions to be negligent, irresponsible, reckless, or unsafe

(Supervisor, ASC).

All incidents where the pilot or other personnel do not follow the directives of the mission supervisor (Supervisor, ASC).

All rotor or propeller strikes, or near misses, with terrain, structures, other aircraft, or vegetation

(Supervisor, ASC).

All mechanical failures or difficulties associated with an aircraft on a WDFW-sponsored mission

(Supervisor, ASC).

All incidents involving drug or alcohol consumption by personnel involved in any way in the flight operation as governed by Section 8 above (SMOKING AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL

RESTRICTIONS) (Supervisor, ASC, Safety Office, WDFW Human Resources).

All violations of the WDFW AIRCRAFT SAFETY PROCEDURE (Supervisor, ASC, WDFW

Safety Office).

Any other situation (such as a near miss) that raised safety concerns.

11. ACCIDENT CONTINGENCIES

Below are some key points to remember if an accident occurs. These are not all inclusive. More specific procedures will be provided in the Aircraft Safety Training classes:

Ensure the emergency fuel shut-off mechanism is activated per the directions received during the pre-flight briefing.

Provide first-aid to all injured parties.

Locate and secure survival kit away from the downed aircraft.

Initiate radio contact with ground support or the flight following entity and provide as much information as possible on your exact location, status, and the condition of all flight crewmembers.

o If radio contact is made with ground support or the flight following entity, follow their directions precisely.

In the event radio contact cannot be made, remain in the vicinity of the accident site. Your chances of being found are much better if you remain near the accident site relative to leaving the accident site.

o If you are certain of your ability to walk out, always leave a detailed note describing the route you are taking.

In most water accidents, aircraft will come to rest upside down. Some keys to remember:

o Follow instructions from pilot-in-command.

o Maintain awareness of exit locations.

o DO NOT INFLATE your life preserver until you are clear of wreckage.

o Water in cabin will equalize pressure allowing you to fully open the exit.

o Pull yourself free from the cabin and follow the bubbles to the surface.

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This information does not replace the aircraft’s SAFETY FEATURES CARD or PASSENGER

SAFETY BRIEFING. Formal Aircraft Safety Training as shown in Section 14 is still required.

12. LOADING AND OFFLOADING CONSIDERATIONS – ALL MISSION

TYPES

Helicopter: Personnel need to stay low at all times when disembarking a helicopter if the blades are rotating. On level ground where the helicopter is in full landing status, personnel should exit and move away from the aircraft, remaining between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock (where the aircraft nose is 12 o’clock) at all times, walking in a partial crouch in full view of the pilot.

At certain times, it may be necessary for personnel to disembark or load the helicopter on uneven ground. This will require the pilot to conduct a “single skid” or “toe-in” landing wherein the pilot will place one or both skids against a hillside while maintaining engine power to keep the aircraft level. Because blade clearance will vary with the degree of slope and the aircraft orientation to the hillside, these landings present unique and very real dangers if not done properly.

Because of the extreme danger of rotor blade contact on uneven ground, the most fundamental rule governing activity around a “toed-in” helicopter is: NEVER MOVE UPHILL! Blade clearance can diminish rapidly on a hillside where the slope of the hill angles up towards the blade tips. To prevent personnel from trying to subjectively judge the magnitude and direction of “uphill”, movement around a toed-in helicopter should be minimal until the aircraft departs.

While exiting from a “toed-in” helicopter each person will stay low to avoid the path of the main rotor blades. Upon exit, each person will immediately crouch down on the hillside next to the skids of the aircraft (no further than one arm’s length from the aircraft’s cabin) in a position where the pilot can clearly see them. It is important for disembarking personnel to stay together and huddle as a unit next to the aircraft until the aircraft departs. No one will attempt to stand up or move away from the landing zone until the helicopter has departed.

Fixed-wing: Aircraft must be shut-down. There must be no threat of aircraft starting when loading, unloading, or working around an aircraft.

13. SPECIAL USE OPERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS

Helicopter Animal Capture Operations: Capturing animals from a helicopter requires an appropriate aircraft and skilled pilots and flight crews. Such operations are often conducted at very low altitudes, in difficult terrain, and often require quick maneuvers by the pilot. When possible, WDFW personnel are encouraged to consider the use of non-WDFW contract aerial capture vendors to conduct capture operations without WDFW staff or authorized volunteers being aboard the aircraft during actual animal pursuit. When it is essential to utilize WDFW personnel and general-purpose vendor pilots for net-gunning and/or darting operations, apply the following guidelines:

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All pilots used for net-gunning and/or darting operations will have a minimum of 100 hours of low-level Pilot-in-command (PIC) experience, at least 50 hours of wildlife capture PIC experience (or be certified by the USDOI, Office of Aircraft Services), and specific training in flying darting or net-gunning operations.

All darters/gunners and net-gunners will have been formally trained and certified by Wildlife

Program standards.

All net-gunners and darters will be tethered to the aircraft using an appropriate safety harness and tether and a backup restraint (e.g., an aircraft seat belt; the “2-buckle” rule).

“One-skid”, “hover exit” or “toe-in” landings will be used only where other reasonable alternatives do not exist, and will be attempted only by pilots with experience and training in such landings.

Helicopter Gunning Operations: On rare occasions it may be necessary for WDFW to lethally remove an animal or animals via aerial gunning using a firearm. All of the specific requirements listed above for HELICOPTER CAPTURE OPERATIONS will also apply to WDFW aerial gunning operations. When appropriate, USDA Wildlife Services should be considered as an alternative to WDFW-chartered pilots/aircraft and WDFW gunners.

Spawning Ground/Redd Count Surveys: Counting salmon and steelhead redds or individual fish from a helicopter requires an appropriate aircraft and skilled pilots and flight crews. Such operations are often conducted at very low altitudes, in difficult terrain, using helicopters without doors, and often require quick maneuvers by the pilot. Fish Program staff are encouraged to use pilots who are experienced and comfortable with spawning ground surveys. All known low-level threats (e.g., powerlines, cell phone towers) will be communicated to the pilot.

Enforcement Short Haul Operations: Flights that transport WDFW Enforcement personnel externally suspended below a helicopter using an externally attached hauling line(s) to insert and/or extract personnel in areas that are inaccessible to landings.

Providing WDFW law enforcement officers a safe and efficient tactical delivery system for placing officers into a specific location or situation in areas where travel over rough, steep and hazardous terrain poses an even higher risk to officers. Hazards may include but are not limited to ambush during ground ingress and egress by armed/fleeing suspects, booby traps, or conflicts with curtilage or anti-law enforcement subjects.

It provides safe and efficient transportation of WDFW officers and allied agencies to conduct marijuana eradication operations in extremely remote and inaccessible locations. WDFW officers will comply with all safety protocols established by sponsoring agencies.

Over-Water Operations: WDFW staff participates in diverse flight missions over large expanses of water. Examples of these applications include: marine bird or mammal surveys in fixed wing aircraft; joint enforcement activities; oil spill response activities; surveying large

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 14 of 21 lakes, and fishing/crabbing/shellfishing effort surveys. All of these may involve flights beyond power-off glide distance to land where water-ditching is the most likely outcome in the event of engine failure or other adverse incident. Additional specialized training and equipment are necessary for these types of activities (see Sections 5 and 14).

The use of twin-engine aircraft or floats (for single-engine aircraft) is strongly recommended for over-water operations beyond power-off glide distance from land or where there is a high likelihood of a water ditching following an adverse event. Special consideration must also be given to PPE, such that in-the-water survival chances are maximized for crews and passengers who survive water-ditching (see Section 5).

14. TRAINING

Aircraft operations, particularly low level flights, are demanding and require strict adherence to proper operational standards to ensure safety. Formalized training is required for WDFW personnel and authorized volunteers prior to participating in agency activities that involve aircraft flights. WDFW trainers will be U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Aircraft Services (OAS)-certified. In general, training will emphasize practical instruction relative to protocols and flight safety strategy elements.

Classroom instruction will include familiarizing staff with common aircraft types, PPE, standard safety equipment and safety features of various aircraft, flight following technology, key elements of safe behavior when working around aircraft, and essential safety elements for unique natural resource flight applications.

WDFW flight safety training will be provided via a series of training modules associated with the duty assigned:

Basic Flight Safety Training encompasses the information provided in this Procedure and an

OAS Basic Flight Safety curriculum, or an equivalent. This module is required for WDFW staff and authorized volunteers involved in any flight application, regardless of aircraft type or type of flight operation involved.

Basic Helicopter Safety Training is required for WDFW staff and authorized volunteers participating in missions that involve any type of helicopter flight.

Capture Crew Helicopter Safety Training is required for all personnel with any flying role in a helicopter-assisted wildlife capture mission.

Mugger Helicopter Safety Training (and prerequisite for all Gunner and Darting

Certifications) is required to qualify personnel for duty as darters, net gunners, or muggers during helicopter capture missions or gunners during aerial gunning missions. Darters and gunners will not be certified for darter or net gunner duty until they have completed requirements stipulated by this Procedure and the Wildlife Program. Training requirements for darters, net gunners, and aerial gunners will include classroom training, weapons proficiency and safety training, as well as appropriate supervised field practicums as defined by WDFW Wildlife

Program.

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Overwater Safety Training is required for anyone conducting over water flights. Refer to

Flight Equipment and Training Requirements (Section 5).

Initial training will consist of formal classroom training and, for some modules, a field exercise employing appropriate aircraft in a field setting. Thereafter, WDFW personnel and authorized volunteers will be required to attend and successfully complete refresher training every three (3) years.

Initial and refresher training will be formally documented in applicable training records. All records documenting the authorization and training of volunteers will reside in the Human Resources Office and maintaining the records is the responsibility of the department’s Volunteer Program Manager.

15. APPENDICES (all documents should be available on and linked to intranet)

Appendix A - Aircraft Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix B - Flight Planning Form

Appendix C - Safety Briefing Checklist - Fixed Wing

Appendix D - Safety Briefing Checklist - Helicopter

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Q: For flights when a single WDFW employee is aboard an aircraft who is the “mission supervisor”?

A: Typically, in flights where the crew consists of a pilot and a single employee, that employee would be designated as the agency mission supervisor, with all the inherent responsibilities associated with that role. A separate employee could serve as mission supervisor in such a case, but they would have to be

“on site” (e.g., at a staging/refueling area) and in regular contact with the aircraft.

Q: Can flight safety refresher training be done on the agency intranet site, as an alternative to attending a flight safety class in person?

A: Although this would be technically feasible, the WDFW Aircraft Safety Committee has consistently recommended classroom training for the required refresher training. The Committee believes valuable instructor/student and student/student personal interaction is an essential part of aircraft safety training, and this is best achieved by “in person” training.

Q: How much flexibility does WDFW staff have relative to implementing Flight Following?

A: Flight Following is an essential element to flight safety. However, because of the varied conditions under which staff across the state fly, the intent of the Aircraft Safety Committee has been to not attempt to define a “one size fits all” approach to the methodology for Flight Following. Staff is encouraged to be innovative relative to identifying the means of communicating the essential information that embodies flight following (i.e., regular updating of aircraft status and location). Several practical approaches are given as examples in the Aircraft Safety Procedures (ASP). Regardless of the methodology or technology used, compliance with the minimum specified time interval for status updates and strict adherence to the protocol for loss of contact/search and rescue initiation is required.

Q: Do WDFW flight safety standards apply to vendor pilots?

A: WDFW does not require vendor pilots to comply with WDFW standards, except for elements with direct implications for WDFW staff safety (e.g., flight following must occur, but pilots may elect to not wear a flight helmet).

Q: Does WDFW offer flight safety training to non-WDFW staff?

A: WDFW has continually offered training to our collaborators (e.g., Tribal partners, other state agency staff, university graduate students, and appropriately approved WDFW volunteers). However, WDFW is not an external training entity for other agencies, NGOs, etc., apart from the collaborative context.

For non-WDFW personnel who actually fly with WDFW staff or on flights sponsored or co-sponsored by WDFW, our agency will continue to offer flight safety training opportunities.

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Q: Where can a WDFW employee locate appropriate PPE if they do not have such gear assigned to them?

A: Many WDFW staff who are regularly involved in flight applications have their own assigned agency-provided gear. Typically, the Regional operations also maintain some “pool” gear available for borrowing for short-term needs. Typically, agency-provided PPE can be located for staff temporarily needing such gear, as long as adequate lead time is given. Staff should contact their immediate supervisor and/or appropriate unit managers (e.g., Regional Program managers, Section leads, etc.) if they need to obtain PPE or other essential flight safety gear as required by the Aircraft Safety Procedure

(Section 5 – Safety Equipment).

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Appendix B – Flight Planning Form

1. Project/Flight Title:

2. Flight Date(s): Flight Duration:

3. Mission Supervisor: Phone #:

4. Description of project/flight goals:

5. Type of aircraft: WDFW or Rented? (circle one)

6. Pilot Name: WDFW or Contractor? (circle one)

7. List any special Pilot qualifications, if required, for this flight:

8. Location of flight/field site(s):

9. Names of participating WDFW staff and volunteers (participants must be qualified in accordance with Section 14 Training):

a. Flight crew names:

b. Ground crew names:

10. Flight following entity/process/staff:

11. Emergency response plan (see Section 4J)

Checklist of Other Responsibilities (some may take place after approval by unit manager):

Pilot briefing of local hazards (see Section 4G)

Briefing personnel on roles/responsibilities

Pre-flight briefing by pilot to all flight personnel (See Safety Briefing Checklists – Appendix

C or D)

Emergency contact information lists

Persons acting as a Mission Supervisor for WDFW sponsored flights must complete this form, obtain prior approval from the appropriate unit manager, and retain original (See Sect 4 of WDFW Aircraft Procedure).

Must be approved by appropriate manager (Regional Program Mngr, Division Mngr, Section Mngr, or designee)

Approved by (Print Name):

Signature: Title: Date:

Unit manager comments:

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No smoking in or around aircraft or fuel truck.

Procedures for entering/exiting aircraft.

Use of seatbelts, shoulder harnesses.

Proper operation of doors.

Baggage / gear storage (if applicable).

Operation of the radios/intercom: ID primary channel.

Location of airsickness bags.

Keep clear of all flight controls.

Stay alert for hazards and inform the pilot of any noted.

Emergency procedures during a forced landing or ditching.

Use of personal flotation devices (if applicable).

Use and location of first aid kits, fire extinguisher, and ELT.

Flight-following plan.

Review of operations plan, including:

o Identify known hazards to flight (e.g., wires) o Crew task assignments o Refueling airports/options identified o PPE/equipment prepared and secured

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No smoking in or around aircraft, fuel truck.

Main rotor and tail rotor hazards; movement rules.

Standard enter/exit procedures.

Use of seatbelts, shoulder harnesses.

Proper operation of doors.

Baggage compartment operation / rules of use.

Securing seatbelt after doors-off exit.

Operation of the radios/intercom: ID primary channel.

Securing loose items such as maps, hats, etc.

Dealing with airsickness.

Keep clear of all flight controls.

Stay alert for hazards and inform the pilot of any seen.

Keep arms and legs inside the aircraft while in operation.

Emergency procedures during a forced landing or ditching.

Fuel Pump Shut-off and Generator Power Switch.

Use and location of first aid kits, fire extinguisher, and ELT.

Use of personal flotation devices (if applicable).

Uneven ground landings: exiting, entering aircraft.

Flight-following plan.

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WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife PRO 2006 Page 21 of 21

Review of operations plan, including:

o Identify known hazards to flight (e.g., wires) o Crew task assignments o Refueling airports/options identified o PPE/equipment prepared and secured