Airborne Reconnaissance (Fixed-Wing)

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
Vehicle	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
Aircrews	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