UASP Toolbox | Interagency UAS Program

This page is updated as new information becomes available. Please continue to monitor the home page for additional information.

Recent Updates:

*NEW* 8/27/2022: IBC Memo 22-05 - UAS Incident Replacement Guide. NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) and the Interagency Fire UAS Subcommittee (IFUASS) has released guidance for consumable/replacement parts.
8/12/2022: IA IB 22-06 "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations within Incident Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). Please review for SGI waiver requirements for UAS operations in TFRs.
7/15/2022: IA IB 22-04 "Potential Airspace Challenges Resulting From Misinformation". Please review for clarification on the Fire Traffic Area Diagram, PMS505D
7/14/2022: Interagency Aviation Accident Prevention Bulletin 22-05: UAS NOTAMS has been issued.
7/8/2022: Interagency Aviation Mishap Response Guide UAS Insert. This document has been recently approved and should be implemented immediately.
6/28/2022: M600 Battery Shipping: With a recent increase in activity and ROs to Alaska, RPs must be aware of M600 Lithium Ion battery watt hours (Wh) and rules:
- T47S batteries are 99.9 Wh and are clear for carry-on luggage on airlines.
- T48S batteries are 129.96 Wh. MAY NOT CARRY-ON. Must be shipped!
- Reference: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-100-watt-hours-or-less-device
6/17/2022: Accident Prevention Bulletin 22-03 - Defective M600 Batteries
6/13/2022: Interagency Tech Bulletin 22-01 for M-600 Props
6/10/2022: Western US Standard A/G Freqs for Air Ambulance on Fires

Safety

7/8/2022: Interagency Aviation Mishap Response Guide UAS Insert
5/9/2022: SAFECOM 22-0234, M600 Batteries
3/25/2022: DOI Accident Prevention Bulletin (APB) 22-02: Solo Battery Life

Are you prepared for the 2022 Season?

Information: Several RPs have reported problems in IQCS with UASP qualifications. Many are missing the triennial RT-373 requirement. Please check the UASP Position Qualification Requirements from the NWCG website for more information. The 2021 edition of RT-373 is available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal, and the 2022 version should be available soon.

PMS 515 is updated - please review it! https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms515

Before any flight, have you:

Checked your Pilot Currency? (eg: Part 107, A-452R, RT373; Carded, Proficient, and Current on aircraft and mission profile (ELOS/BVLOS) per Agency/Departmental Policy)

Checked your Aircraft status? (eg: Inspection and 36U)

Confirmed your Authorization? (eg: Approved PASP/MASP, familiar with PMS 515 procedures and policy; notifications made)

Coordinated your Airspace Clearance? (Do you need a NOTAM or SGI? What FAA provisions or agreement are you flying under?)

Reminder: IA-IB 21-07 has relevant information for IMTs on UAS Operations

OPM-11 Guidance for Remote Pilots

DOI OPM-11 remains a core policy for UAS Operations. This policy was updated by OAS on January 1, 2022.

Flight Proficiency and Currency

OAS Proficiency Waiver - Issued on 3/12/2021, outlined instructions for regaining proficiency and currency with allowances for COVID mitigation. This waiver has expired. OPM-11 Section 19 Rules are in effect.

RPs should pay special attention to definitions for flight currency and flight proficiency.

Flight Proficiency: Remote Pilots must demonstrate three takeoffs (launch) and landings (recovery) with the UAS they are approved to operate within the preceding 90 days.

Flight Currency: Remote Pilots are required to fly each of the aircraft for which they are carded at least once every 12 months or the interval specified on their OAS-30U.

Check OPM-11 section 19 for more information.