Aerial Fire Fighting - Colorado

SOD has gotten the alert that a wild fire, the Hayman Fire, is burning to the southwest of Denver, Colorado.  SOD will provide a launch of the full spectrum of fire fighting aircraft:  lead planes, fire bombers, smoke jumper drop aircraft, and helicopters.  The fire is located in the Pike National Forest area.  Ground fire crews are on station so caution is required.

Fire location is N 39 3.98 W 105 25.75

The fire is located on 54 NM DME on the 183 radial from the JEFFCO (BJC) VOR (115.40).

WARNING:  Terrain in the area reaches altitude of approximately 12,000 feet.  Safe transition altitude for fixed wing aircraft is considered 13,000 ft.

CAL16 Lead Plane-"Follow Me"

NOTE:  The following procedures apply to multiplayer operations.  Single ship operations follow the same basic guidelines without the Lead Plane interaction.

Fire Bombing:  L188, L100 or C130

1)  The Lead Plane, will depart Jeffco Airport (KBJC) and proceed to the location of the fire.  Fire bombers will depart no earlier than 15 minutes after the lead plane takes off.  Fly to the the 183 radial out of KBJC toward the fire site.

2)  Upon pinpointing the location of fire, the lead plane will send the location to the Air Traffic Control responsible for the area and pinpoint for them, and the tankers, the location by giving a radial and distance off of the nearest VOR to establish a 20 NM "work zone".

3)  Lead plane will put fire bombers in a holding pattern over Dave Nash Ranch (7CO1).  Holding patterns of multiple aircraft will be stacked starting at 10,000 feet.  Additional holding patterns will be stacked at intervals of 1,000 ft.  Aircraft will enter the holding stack at 13,000 ft.  If no other aircraft are in the stack, the pilot will descend to 10,000 feet.  It other aircraft are in the stack, he will descend to either 12,000 ft or hold at 13,000 ft as appropriate.

4)  The lead plane will call the lowest pilot and tell him to prepare to leave the stack.  Once the fire bomber acknowledges, then the lead plane will pull into a position to the front and 45 degrees left or right of the identified fire bomber.  At that point, the lead plane will call the fire bomber and then lead him to the fire and identify the drop point.  Once the bomber has properly identified the drop point, he will be cleared by the lead plane to continue his run and the lead plane will pull off.  Direction of egress will be identified by the lead plane and called before clearing the bomber to drop.  If the fire bomber is capable of flying multiple runs, then they will be allowed to immediately setup for another run unless a different part of the fire needs to be attacked.

5)  Fire bombing drops will be conducted at 150ft AGL (height above ground).  Upon completion of the drop, egress as specified by the lead plane.  Be prepared to return to the holding point if required.  If the fire bomber has completed its drops and must return for refill, he will notify the lead plane and be cleared from the area.  Be prepared to fly to a specific NAVAID or point as a means of control of flow of traffic into and out of the fire area.

6)  Upon refueling/refilling, when returning to the fire area be prepared to enter via a designated NAVAID or point in order to control the flow of traffic into the fire area.  Fuel is available at Perry Park (CO93).  Fire retardant for aircraft is only available at Jeffco (KBJC).

7)  ATC has final authority over ALL traffic, regardless of activity.

Amphibian Operations: CL-215/415

1)  These aircraft will follow the procedures outlined above for fire bombing.

2)  The nearest lake is located southwest of Bowens Farms (CO98) airfield.  Heading from the fire location to the water is 19 degrees from 32 NM.

3)  Upon resupplying with water, the tankers will reintercept the 183 radial from the BJC VOR and contact the Lead Plane for instructions.  Be prepared to renter the holding pattern.  If the situation permits, an immediate attack will be authorized.

Smoke Jumper Drops: PC-6, DHC-6 or DC-3

1)  Smoke jumper drops will follow the same procedures as the fire bombers except for the drop aspect.

2)  Upon contact by the lead plane, you will follow him as described.  Follow his flight at about 2 miles.  He will drop a marker at the vicinity of the drop site.  The lead plane will call his mark and pull away.  The drop plane will continue his flight and identify the drop marker location.  After identifying the drop marker, the drop plane will fly an appropriate pattern to set up for the drop.

3)  All drops will be at 1,500 ft AGL with drop speeds as posted in the handbook pages for the appropriate aircraft.  Release point is over the drop marker as the smoke jumpers have stearable parachutes and can guide themselves as needed.

4)  After completion of the drop(s), drop aircraft will contact the lead plane and be cleared out of the area.

5)  Follow the fire bomber procedures for returning to base.

Helicopter Flights

1)  Helicopter flights will depart from their base(s) (your choice, but start at least 10 miles away) and proceed to the fire site.  Recommended departure base is Jeffco (KBJC).

2)  Once they are within 5 miles of the fire location, helicopter flights will contact the Lead Plane for instructions.

3)  The Lead Plane will ID a water source for water bucket refills and verbally give route clearance from there to the fire and specify the fire location to be attacked. Units are establishing water "pools" at Dave Nash Ranch (7CO1) for quick turnaround of aircraft.  Fire teams are at various locations in the area.  Be prepared to move the times around as the situation develops.

4)  All helicopter flights will stay at 500 feet AGL to help deconflict flights.

5)  Upon completion of operations, contact the Lead Plane to receive instructions for departing the fire area.  Fuel is available at Dave Nash Ranch (7CO1).

ADMINISTRATION

1)  The event begins at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, June 17.  Late comers are welcome, so sign on whenever you like.  As long as there are pilots, we will fly the mission!  This mission will be online using the Cardinal Server.  This will give us real interaction with ATC and other traffic to make it more realistic.  Do not use the multiplayer function of Squawkbox.  Establish a multiplayer connection with the host IP first, then start Squawkbox.  This will allow the ATC to see you, but also provide faster refresh rates and detailed multiplayer aircraft information.

2)  Move to the ramp at KBJC.  Ensure you are away from any taxiways prior to log on.

3)  In the remarks section of your flight plan, put "AERIAL FIRE FIGHTING MISSION".  Your point of departure and destination are KBJC unless otherwise coordinated with CAL16.  Enroute altitude will be based on terrain around fire.  Adjust as necessary or directed.  Ensure your flight plan is filed as VFR.

4)  After signing on, squawk 1255 which is the code for an aerial fire fighter flight.

5)  Request takeoff instructions as normal if ATC is up.  Since your flight is VFR, control will only be to within the terminal area.  The Lead Plane will coordinate any control handoff issues.  Be prepared to accept vectors in and out of the terminal area.

6)  We will communicate via Roger Wilco on Cardinal Roger Wilco Channel 2 with private messages (.msg callsign) as a backup.  All ATC communication will be via Cardinal Roger Wilco Channel 1 in the terminal area and text outside of the terminal area.  DO NOT USE THE RW CHANNEL FOR CHATTING!  IT IS FOR THE OPERATION ONLY!  USE PRIVATE MESSAGING TO TALK TO EACH OTHER!!

7)  Be sure to check this page before logging on to ensure there are no updates.

HAVE FUN!!