2012-13 Pre Fire Season Aviation Briefing

1. 2012-13 Pre Fire Season Aviation Briefing

2. Welcome and Briefing Intent • Report on previous season – lessons learnt. • Advise on SAU policy and procedures. • Advise on changes for forthcoming season. • Advise on SAU programs. • Forum for discussion.

3. Briefing Outline • Season 2011-12 in Review. • VBRC Recommendation Implementation. • SAU Policy and Procedures. • State Fleet Aircraft 2012-13. • Season Forecast. • Operational Information. • Innovation. • Into 2013.

4. Season 2011-12 in Review.

5. Annual Statistics

6. Season 2011-12 in Review • 553 taskings. • Approx 3200 hrs flown by agencies. • 764 hrs for fire suppression. • Approx 275 hrs for flood work. • Approx 1425 hrs for DSE other ops - AI mainly.

7. Significant Occurrences • Helicopter hydraulic failure during ADT operations. • “Live” incendiary capsule jammed in drop tube. • Packing tape from fuel drums wrapped in helicopter rotor head. • 2 x inadvertent releases of helicopter slung loads. • 2 x rappel rope incidents. • Tyre deflation on landing aircraft. • Non-CASA approved air display.

8. VBRC Recommendation Implementation.

9. VBRC – Enhanced Aircraft Request and Dispatch. • Research of R&D systems noted use of predetermined response zones in WA, SA and QLD for Type 3 helo and SEAT dispatch to small no. of designated “high risk” areas. • Limited trial in VIC for 2012-13 in CFA District 2/DSE Murray Goldfields District (inc. part Midlands FD response area; nth-sth Macedon Ranges, Wombat) – geographic zone with higher no. of fire reports, not based on risk. Helitack 335 and Firebird 305. • AAS rostered and with aircraft for entire Service Period. • Dispatch advice (page) to pilots/AAS from ESTA not SAD. AAS to determine response based on actual FDI. <FDI 12 = nil dispatch. AAS/pilots to contact SAD on departure. Once aircraft dispatched, normal operations apply. • Aircraft can be dispatched to fires outside D2 if requested (normal business). • Nil requirement/false alarm may make aircraft unavailable for other fires; either not sufficient fuel remaining or shut down and cooling before restart. • Briefing/information/training package to be developed.

10. VBRC – Enhanced Aircraft Request and Dispatch.

11. SAU Policy and Procedures.

12. SAU Policy and Procedures • SAUP AM 1.04 – Flight Following Procedures – Mayday / Pan emergency response procedure added. • SAUP AM 1.06 – Obtaining Aircraft – revising to reflect changes in Bushfire Command and Control. • SAUP AM 1.08 – Aviation Resources – Readiness Arrangements – revising to reflect comment re. trigger levels. • SAUP AM 1.09 – Aviation Resource Stand-down & Suspension Procedures – to be circulated for comment. • SAUPs to be emailed to distribution list in pdf and updated on SAU website. State Aircraft Unit Policy and Procedures State Aircraft Unit Policy and Procedures State Aircraft Unit Policy and Procedures The State Aircraft Unit is a joint fire agency initiative of CFA and DSE, providing specialist aviation resources for fire, land and emergency management. The State Aircraft Unit is a joint fire agency initiative of CFA and DSE, providing specialist aviation resources for fire, land and emergency management. The State Aircraft Unit is a joint fire agency initiative of CFA and DSE, providing specialist aviation resources for fire, land and emergency management.

13. State Fleet Aircraft 2012/13.

14. Type 1 Helicopters • Helitack 341–Erickson S64F Air-Crane: • Essendon –includes AAS platform Firebird 308. • Helitack 342–Erickson S64E Air-Crane: • Ballarat – includes AAS platform Firebird 309. • 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.

15. HTK 348 Sikorsky S61N Mansfield HTK 341 S64F Air-Crane Essendon HTK 342 S64E Air-Crane Essendon HTK 347 Sikorsky S61N Colac

16. Type 2 & 3 Firebombing Helicopters • Helitack 331 – Bell 212 – Olinda. • Helitack 332 – Bell 212 – Ovens. • Helitack 333 – Bell 212 – Heyfield. • Helitack 334 – Bell 412 – Hamilton, Fire Readiness Location – Sea Lake (7/11 to 31/12 approx). • Helitack 335 – Bell 214B – Bendigo. • Firebird 327 – B3 Squirrel (Type 3 with bellytank) – Healesville. • Firebird 328 – B3 Squirrel (Type 3 with bellytank) – Shepparton. • Firebird 329– Bell 206L (bucket) – LTV (HVP aircraft).

18. Type 3 Helicopters • Firebird 301 – Bell B206 – Horsham. • Firebird 302 – AS 350BA-FX2 – Moorabbin. • Firebird 303 – AS 350BA – Ovens. • Firebird 304 – AS 350BA Super D1 – Bairnsdale. • Firebird 305 – Bell B206 – Bendigo. • Firebird 306 – AS 350D – Moorabbin-2hr/15min. • Firebird 307 – AS 350B3 – Latrobe Valley. • Firebird 308 – Bell Longranger – Essendon (AAS platform HT341). • Firebird 309 – Bell Longranger – Ballarat (AAS platform HT342). • Firebird 310 – Bell B206 – Colac (AAS platform HT347*). • Firebird 311 – Bell Longranger – Mansfield (AAS platform HT348*). • Firebird 312 – AS 350BA – Olinda (Melb Water).

20. SEATs - 15 min Standby • Bomber 351 – Air Tractor AT 802F – Stawell. • Bomber 352 – Air Tractor AT 802F – Casterton. • Bomber 353 – PZL M18B Dromader – Hamilton. • Bomber 354 – Air Tractor AT 802F – Albury. • Bomber 355 – PZL M18B Turbine Dromader – Bairnsdale. • Bomber 356 – Air Tractor AT 802F – Mansfield. • Bomber 365 – PZL M18A Turbine Dromader – Bendigo.

21. SEATs - 2 hr / 15 min Standby • Bomber 357 – PZL M18B Dromader – Stawell. • Bomber 358 – PZL M18B Dromader – LTV. • Bomber 359 – PZL M18B Dromader – Benambra. • Bomber 360 – Air Tractor AT 802F – Stawell. • Bomber 361 – PZL M18B Dromader – LTV.

23. Fixed Wing Recce and Specialist Aircraft • Birddog 372 – Cessna C337 Essendon. • Birddog 373* – Cessna C337 Ballarat. • Birddog 374* – Partenavia P.68 Wangaratta. *12hrs to 15min readiness, request to SAD, Region/District activation. Infra-red line scanning. • Firescan 370 – Beech King Air – Essendon. • Firescan 371 – Beech King Air – Essendon. PLEASE NOTE SOME ALTERATIONS TO CALL SIGNS

25. Season Forecast.

26. Season Forecast • Retreat from El Niño thresholds over the past several weeks. • Chances of a drier or wetter November to January period are roughly equal. • Chances of November to January maximum temperature exceeding the long-term medium are 60 to 70% for VIC. • Likelihood of another grass fire season – residual growth from last two seasons. • Wet gullies in forest areas will help contain fires.

27. Operational Information.

28. Operational Management • SCC State Airdesk (SAD); Duty Aircraft Officer and State Aircraft Coordinator. • Managed and coordinated by State Control Centre, not the State Aircraft Unit. • Operationally supported by SAU. • On behalf of CFA, DSE, SES, DPI, PV, MWC. • SAU manages Policy and Procedure, contracts and approved operators (CWN).

29. Readiness • The SAC ensures preparation of daily State Fleet Readiness Arrangements Plan detailing aircraft readiness arrangements for the following day. • SAC applies readiness requirements detailed in SAUP AM1.08; readiness trigger levels dependant on risk and FDI’s and respective Agency requirements. • Endorsed by CFA and DSE State ACs, approved by the SC. • Includes consideration of requests from regional CFA and DSE for the pre-positioning of aircraft to meet local readiness needs – with State AC input. • Where regional requests are not considered to be suitable or available, the SAC will confer with the State ACs. • The SAC is permitted to engage non-contract CWN resources up to the total value of $10,000 to meet the principles of the readiness arrangements. Should resources beyond this value be required, approval from the State AC is required.

30. Dispatch • The SAD will dispatch aircraft to fires upon request from authorised CFA and DSE staff. • There is no requirement for the SAD to have the State ACauthorise the request. • The SAC will seek the State ACs approval in the following circumstances: • To authorise the dispatch of an Aircrane to a fire greater than 100km from the aircraft NOBs at Essendon and Ballarat. • To request an Incident Controller release an aircraft from a fire in situations where a new or current fire has a greater need for the particular aircraft. • To determine the suitability of a regional request of an aircraft to a fire which may not be considered appropriate due to current state priorities. • The SAD will keep the State ACs informed of dispatches, impending requests and issues and vice versa. Information always available on the FireWeb, Aircraft page.

31. Dispatch The following initial information is required when requests are made for aircraft: • Location of the fire i.e. distance and direction from closest town • Aircraft type and quantity required • Tasking of aircraft and equipment required • Simplex fireground channels and/or trunk radio numbers to be used, and • AIIMS roles (Air Operations Unit) that are in place ie. AAS, AO. • The SAD will advise the details of the aircraft that will be dispatched and the Fire-CTAF allocated to the incident.

32. Aviation Management Procedures For Pilots • Fire-CTAF frequencies – SAD to advise on dispatch. • Mandatory 5nm inbound calls to fire/airbase. • Requirement – 2 x aero & 2 x Agency radios. • “No comms – no go”. • Flight Following – pilot responsibility max 30 min. • Completion of FOR: “Committed” time, date and advising Officer; tasking Agency; water volumes, location; time conversions; AIRCHECK; signed or “No agency representative available”.

33. Land Management Operations For Pilots • Use of sirens – aerial ignition. • Due diligence to review, assess and understand ops plans. • Suggest change if not efficient/practical. • Approvals for helipads. • Long ferries with slung loads – especially ADT.

35. Aviation Management Procedures For Contract Managers • Substitute for unserviceability, call and email to SAD. • Substitute for company reason in writing to SAU. • Substitute aircraft must be on Aircraft and Pilot Registry and type used by company. • Contractor to be Registered Operator of substitute aircraft or demonstrate full knowledge of maintenance of aircraft (excluding Charter). • Invoices to DSE AP or other Agency, FOR copy to SAU as per protocols (recent email).

36. Panel Of Providers – Aviation Services (CWN) • Tender released in December. • Panel in place for five years and access point for call when needed aircraft. • Aerial Work (if conducting) and Charter on AOC and aircraft maintained to Charter Standard. • Aerial Work/Charter to be Registered Operator of aircraft or demonstrate full knowledge of maintenance of aircraft. • Charter only to be Registered Operator of aircraft. • Insurance $20 million.

37. Revised Audit Procedure • Review of audit strategy. • Emphasis on all Panel of Providers aircraft used to conduct Aerial Work ops/pax carrying/low use/infrequent use. • Sliding scale of audit depending on above.

38. Standby & DeploymentArrangements.

39. Request and Dispatch Procedures – Pilots • ALL State Fleet aircraft initial dispatch is via SAD (except Bendigo trial) 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. • Start / end of operations call to SAD required each day. • Region/District light fixed wing aircraft dispatched locally. Staff advise SAD on dispatch. Fire CTAF advised to Region/District.

40. Standby Arrangements – Pilots State Fleet • Standard 15 min/2 hr availability (non TFB) hours 1000-1800 – 30 mins outside these hours. • Can be varied day to day as determined by SAD. • Total Fire Ban days – automatically 0900 – 1900,refer to Cockpit Handbook for aircraft/TFB District – you are expected to be of aware of TFB. • Extreme weather forecast – as advised by SAD. • Once dispatched start times determined by Aircraft Officer/IMT – availability remains 15mins.

41. Standby Arrangements – Pilots Regional Call When Needed Aircraft • Standard 15 min availability (non TFB) hours 1000-1800 – or as determined by Region/District. • Can be varied day to day as determined by Region/District. • Total Fire Ban day – as advised by Region/District. • Once dispatched start times determined by Aircraft Officer/IMT or Region/District – availability remains 15mins.

42. Readiness Arrangements • As detailed in SAUP AM 1.08. • Readiness trigger levels dependant on risk and FDI’s and respective Agency requirements. • Repositioning protocol depends on predicted threat. • State Readiness Arrangements Plan – prepared by SAC, endorsed by both State ACs, approved by SC daily. • Includes aircraft, personnel and support resources. • Additional tactical CWN aircraft on standby – approved by both Agency SFACs.

43. Training.

44. Training • Many Air Attack Supervisors – very little flying last three years – currency. • Increased mentoring of “provisional” roles required. • “Regional” aircraft exercises – coordinated by Agency Region/Districts – Ops Plans to be submitted to SAU – aircraft supplied for joint agency events by SAU only on approval of plans.

45. Basic Wildfire Awareness - Pilots • Mandatory requirements for all “operational” personnel. • Victorian State Fleet and CWN pilots / engineers and support and contractors staff (refuellers). • No agreements with interstate fire services – DSE RTO. • Access http://www.firetraining.org.au/ : • Follow Fire Training Online to Basic Wildfire Awareness and follow login prompts; • You must register for certification post completion of test; • READ instructions and provide all details - especially DOB and aircraft company requirements. • Names entered on FireWeb system after completion and registration. • Certificate follows in time to operator/Chief Pilot, not individual. • 800+ on list - pilot’s swapping companies – not issuing new certificates.

46. Documentation.

47. Documentation • On-line Aircraft and Pilot Registry for Contractor / PoP – open in November. Advice to be sent. • Pilot Reference Manual – via Chief Pilots. • Cockpit Handbooks – distributed during Nov. • Flight Operations Returns – more books from SAU. • CFA Districts – FOR/recce aircraft invoice to SAU or invoice to CFA with copy and FOR to SAU. • DSE Regions/Districts – copies of all recce/charter FORs to SAU.

48. Innovation.

49. FLIR • FLIRs – 2 x Wescam MX-10 systems purchased and now operational. • Initial fitting for State Fleet Squirrel helicopters. • IR Sensor optimised for fire use. • High Definition Colour Camera. • Built in GPS and Laser Rangefinder for increased targeting accuracy. • Mapping System Interface in development. • Safer operations. Now fly at 2000’ AGL.

50. FLIR