Aerial Fire Fighting - California
SOD has gotten the alert that a wild fire is burning to the southeast of San Bernardino, California. 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 northeast of Lake Riverside Estates. Ground fire crews are on station so caution is required.
Fly to Palm Springs then turn south towards Lake Riverside Estates airfield. You will find the fire almost halfway in between the two airfields.
CAL16 Lead Plane-"Follow Me"
Fire Bombing: L188, L100 or C130
1) The lead aircraft, CAL16, will depart San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD) and proceed to the location of the fire. Fire bombers will depart 10 minutes after the lead plane takes off. Fly to the southeast toward the SJY NDB and continue your flight towards the southeast.
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.
3) Lead plane will put fire bombers in a holding pattern over a easily identifiable piece of terrain (holding point). Holding patterns of multiple aircraft will be stacked starting at 1,000 feet above the highest point of terrain within 5 miles. Additional holding patterns will be stacked at intervals of 1,000 ft.
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.
7) SATCO ATC has final authority over ALL traffic, regardless of activity.
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.
2) Once they are within 5 miles of the fire location, helicopter flights will contact CAL16 for instructions.
3) CAL16 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.
4) All helicopter flights will stay at 500 feet AGL to help deconflict flights.
5) Upon completion of operations, contact CAL16 to receive instructions for departing the fire area.
Fire Scouts: Any nonjet aircraft up to L100/C130 size
1) Follow the departure and enroute procedures outlined for fire bombers. Fire scouts may depart from any airfield of choice.
2) Contact CAL16 when you are within 20 miles of the fire site.
3) You will be given a search area to search for other fires.
4) Once you identify the fire, pass on the location to CAL16. Identify the location by giving a radial and distance of the nearest VOR and lattitude and longitude location.
5) Upon completion of the search pattern, call CAL16 and notify him that you need to leave.
6) Ensure that careful attention is paid as there may be small fires. These can quickly grow to large ones, so early intervention is important.
ADMINISTRATION
1) The event begins at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. 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 SATCO. Backup will be the Cardinal Server. This will give us real interaction with ATC and other traffic to make it more realistic.
2) Move to the ramp at KSBD. 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 KSBD 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. CAL16 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 205.240.163.12/1032mhz with private messages (.msg callsign) as a backup. All SATCO ATC communication will be via 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 Friday to ensure there are no updates.
HAVE FUN!!