USFS modifies night flying requirements

A Los Angeles County fire helicopter does a drop over a hotspot in Rancho Palos Verdes on Aug. 28, 2009. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)
A Los Angeles County fire helicopter does a drop over a hotspot in Rancho Palos Verdes on Aug. 28, 2009. (Mark J. Terrill)

The U. S. Forest Service (USFS) has modified their internal regulations for operating helicopters at night. Effective October 13, 2010, multi-engine helicopters are no longer required for night flights. Single-engine helicopters may now be used if they are powered by a turbine engine.

This was the standard that had been in effect since April 19, 2009 (From FSM 5700, 5716.2):

5716.2 – Night Flying
Use only multi-engine aircraft for night flights.

The new regulation:

5716.2 – Night Flying
Use only multi-engine or turbine powered single-engine aircraft for night flights that meet the applicable requirements in FAR Part 91 and Part 61as referenced in FSH 5709.16 or applicable contracts.

[…]

Low-level helicopter flight operations will only be conducted using NVG [Night Vision Goggles]. Helicopters will be approved for such an operation.

This will make a much larger pool of helicopters available to be considered for night flying. However it is our understanding that modifications may have to be made to some helicopters in order for them to be compatible with night vision goggles, including the ability to turn the instrument lights down to a very low level so that they do not overwhelm the goggles.

This change may indicate that the USFS actually IS beginning to take a look at restoring the night-flying helicopter program. After the USFS was criticized by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and some politicians for not using helicopters during the first night of the Station Fire in August, 2009, their Fire and Aviation Management Director Tom Harbor was quoted as saying:

We are in the process . . . of one more time taking a look at night-flying operations. But we will have to make sure that those operations, before we change our policy, are worth the benefits.

The USFS had a night flying program in the mid-1970’s until two helicopters collided 1977, one operated by the USFS and the other by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The helicopters were preparing to land at a water reloading point. Both pilots were wearing night-vision goggles. One of the pilots was killed, and the other sustained serious injuries.

In July of 2008 Wildfire Today conducted a poll, asking:

“Should helicopters fight fire at night?”

At the close of the poll 231 people had voted. The results were:

Yes: 39.8%
No: 51.9%
Don’t Know: 8.2%

Poll helicopters night flying July 2008

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

2 thoughts on “USFS modifies night flying requirements”

  1. As a first generation night agricultural pilot (1970’s) flying after the sun goes down is SPOOKY at best. The night is really never just the night. Cloud or smoke cover,keeping track of other aircraft,light pollution,terrain features (black on black) etc. Los Angeles City and County Fire seemed to have “mastered” night attack in their urban-interface area. In the near future this may be as far as it goes, urban-interface areas with seasoned night fire pilots; until technology catches-up.

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  2. Well its about time they get their act together. of coarse its a day late and a dollar short as usual. having more night flying helos will be a great thing. maybe we will even see the skycranes fly at night.

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