U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: Airborne Reconnaissance (Fixed-Wing)
Category: Search and Rescue (ESF #9)
Kind: Aircraft
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Vehicle Fixed-Wing Aircraft

IFR Capable Fixed-Wing Observation Aircraft

IFR Capable Fixed-Wing Observation Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Observation Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Observation Aircraft

 
Capacity

4-8 passengers with cargo not to exceed design specification of aircraft

2-4 passengers with cargo not to exceed design specification of aircraft

2-4 passengers with cargo not to exceed design specification of aircraft

2-4 passengers with cargo not to exceed design specification of aircraft

 
Equipment Flight Suit

Appropriate level of PPE

Appropriate level of PPE

Appropriate level of PPE

Appropriate level of PPE

 
Communications

Standard FAA FM Radio; VHF Radios; Satellite Phone

Standard FAA FM Radio; VHF Radios

Standard FAA FM Radio; VHF Radios

Standard FAA FM Radio

 
Video/ Electronic

Capable of flying back video or still imagery; Capable of High Resolution Airborne Video Transmission; Desired: FLIR or other infrared capabilities; Desired: Capable of supporting Hyperspectral Imaging Requests drugswatcher.com

Capable of flying back video or still imagery; Capable of Low resolution Airborne Video Transmission; Desired: FLIR or other infrared capabilities

Capable of flying back video or still imagery

None

 
Aircrews Training & Ratings

Pilot – Commercial (instrument) or higher certificate and complete unit certification program

Observer – Complete unit certification program

Pilot – Private Pilot (instrument) or higher certificate and complete unit certification program

Observer – Complete unit certification program

Pilot – Private Pilot or higher certificate and complete unit certification program

Observer – Complete unit certification program

Pilot – Private Pilot or higher certificate and complete unit certification program

Observer – Complete unit certification program
 
Crew Availability

Aircrew(s) available for extended operations

Aircrew(s) available for
8 to 14 days of operations

Aircrew(s) available for 3 to 7 days of operations

Aircrew(s) available for at least 2 days of operations

 
Management Support Overhead Incident Management

Full Incident Command staff capable of managing all phases of air search operations

Incident staff capable of managing air operations branch

Incident staff capable of supporting independent flight release

Unit level flight release; no incident management capabilities

 

Comments:

Aircrews can work a maximum of 12-hour shifts, depending on individual unit policies and procedures. Aircraft will be maintained in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration Regulations. Aircraft will be expected to operate out of established airfield with paved runways. Aircrews will indicate fueling and runway requirements for the aircraft provided. Crew availability does not require continuous availability of specific personnel, only that crews are available to those specifications.



National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative
Search and Rescue