Aviation Policies & Procedures: Section 2611

State of Alaska	Department of Natural Resources	Division of Forestry
2003 Revision	Aviation Policies & Procedures	Section 2611

Vendor Aircraft

Objective:

This chapter identifies operational and maintenance standards for vendor-operated aircraft used by the division.

1. Minimum Vender Requirements:

a. Vendor Certification: Vendors providing commercial services with pilot shall be certificated under 14 CFR 121, 125, 127, 133, 135, or 137 as appropriate.

b. Vendor Operations Specifications: Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of 14 CFR 135.1, aircraft will be operated and maintained under provisions of 14 CFR 91, 121, 125, 127, 133, 135 or 137, as appropriate, including those portions applicable to civil aircraft, unless otherwise authorized by the State Aviation Manager. All operations conducted for the State shall be compliant to the Vendor Operations Specifications issued to the vendor by the FAA.

c. All vendor pilots shall posses an agency issued pilot qualification card that documents they are qualified for the assigned mission prior to utilization by the State. The USDI-OAS, USDA- Forest Service and/or DOF authorized pilot inspector may issue the agency Pilot Qualification Cards. (Except point-to-point, requires pilot flight check).

d. All vendor aircraft shall have been issued and have on board an agency Interagency Data Card prior to utilization by the State. The USDI-OAS, USDA- Forest Service and/or DOF authorized maintenance inspector may issue agency Aircraft Data Cards. (All aircraft except those used for point-to-point flights only, require aircraft inspection prior to carding)

2. Contract Aircraft:

a. Vendors shall be required to meet all provisions of the aircraft contract throughout the period of the contract. Operational, personnel, and equipments requirements in addition to the minimum vendor requirements of this section shall be stated in the contract and become
an extension of this document during the period of contract performance and during aircraft and pilot carding.

3. Rental Offer Aircraft:

a. Aircraft procured utilizing the rental offer shall be limited in use to suppression, fire fighting support or other emergency related missions.

b. Each region shall be responsible for maintaining current rental offers with commercial vendors for aircraft within their geographical boundaries.

4. General Operations All Vendor Aircraft:

a. DOF Flight Record: The PIC shall be responsible for accurately completing the DOF Flight Record (Form 10-3133) for each flight conducted for the DOF. Complete directions for form use by the PIC are located on the back of the form. Note: Form 10-3133 shall be submitted with the vendor billing invoice to receive payment for services.

b. Logging of Aircraft Flight Time:

• Airplanes. Flight time shall be measured from the time the aircraft commences its takeoff roll until it returns to the blocks and shall be computed in hours and tenths/hundredths.
• Helicopters. Flight time shall be measured from lift-off to touchdown and recorded in hours and tenths. A flight-recording meter reading in hours and tenths and activated by an engine or transmission oil pressure switch wired in series with a collective switch, or equivalent system, shall be required for recording flight time in helicopters.

c. Flight Plans & Flight Following: Shall be conducted to DOF Flight Plans & Flight Following Policy, Chapter 2613, General Aviation Operations- All Aircraft.

d. Flight Crew Flight & Duty Time: Shall be regulated by Flight Crew, Flight & Duty Time Policy, Chapter 2613, General Aviation Operations- All Aircraft.

 

5. Addition Operational Policy and Procedures:

See: Chapter 2613, General Aviation Operations- All Aircraft