U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEJuly 11, 1994 W/OM131
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 94-11
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter D-79, National Weather Service Flight Operations, eight pages.
2. Effective Date:
This Chapter becomes effective as of 0000 Universal Coordinated Time on July 11, 1994.
3. Summary:
The entire Chapter has been rewritten. Major changes are as follows:
a. Submission of a written report is required giving details of each flight conducted under the provisions of this Chapter.
b. Notification of any aircraft incident or accident that occurs during an NWS flight operation is required.
c. Pilot flight proficiency requirements for operating under the provisions of this Chapter can now be met with the successful completion of a Biennial Flight Review equivalent.
4. Effect on Other Instructions:
Replaces WSOM Chapter D-79, transmittal issuance 83-8, dated April 27, 1983, and any ROMLs filed with that issuance.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. Definitions
4.1 Pilot Eligibility
4.2 Requests for Pilot Designation
4.3 Suspension of Pilot Designation
4.4 Flight Proficiency Requirements
1. Purpose. This Chapter sets forth guidelines and requirements for the operation of privately owned, leased, or rented aircraft in support of National Weather Service's (NWS) missions and programs.
2. Definitions. For the purposes of implementing the policies and procedures in this Weather Service Operations Manual (WSOM) Chapter, the following definitions apply.
a. Pilot - An individual possessing at least a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Certificate and a Third Class Medical Certificate.
b. Designated Pilot - A pilot possessing the required FAA certificates and meeting the NWS Designated Pilot eligibility requirements as set forth in Section 3.1 of this WSOM Chapter.
c. Flight Crew - NWS personnel who are assigned to perform duties involving the operation or navigation of an aircraft.
d. Chief Pilot - An NWS Designated Pilot who supervises the NWS Headquarters flight operations and pilot designation process.
e. Supervising Pilot - An NWS Designated Pilot who supervises the NWS Region flight operations and pilot-designation process.
f. Official Passengers - Official passengers on aircraft operated by an NWS Designated Pilot(s) are:
(1) employees and officers of the U.S. Government traveling on official business;
(2) Members of Congress and congressional committee staffs whose work relates to NWS programs; or
(3) passengers with a scientific reason for being on the flight who are engaged in activities that enhance accomplishment of an NWS program such as personnel of cooperating state, county, or local agencies or universities.
g. Non-U.S. Government Passengers - Persons who are engaged in activities that enhance accomplishment of an NWS program(s) and are not employed by the U.S. Government.
h. Privately Owned Aircraft - Aircraft owned or rented by the Designated Pilot who is then reimbursed on a mileage basis per the NOAA Travel Handbook.
i. Rental Aircraft - Aircraft rented by the agency on a short-term basis (for a period of 30 days or less) under small purchasing authority (an obligation of funds less than $5,000) with an NWS-furnished pilot(s).
j. Contract (Leased) Aircraft - Aircraft utilized under a formal contract between the agency and the aircraft owner/operator for a stipulated time interval with an NWS furnished pilot(s).
k. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) - Rules that govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual conditions.
l. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) - Rules governing the procedures for conducting instrument flight.
3. Supervision of Flight Operations. All NWS flight operations are conducted under the auspices of the Aviation Services Branch (ASB). The ASB Chief is responsible for initiating and implementing NWS flight operations policies. Implementation responsibility at the NWS Region level rests with the Regional Aviation Meteorologist (RAM) or the equivalent in Regions not having the position of RAM.
Flight operations conducted by NWS Headquarters personnel shall be under the.direct supervision of the Chief Pilot for the NWS. The Chief Pilot shall be authorized and designated by the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, upon recommendation by the ASB Chief. NWS flight operations conducted by personnel assigned to each NWS Region shall be managed by the Region's Supervising Pilot. The Supervising Pilot shall be designated and authorized by the Regional Director (RD) on recommendation by the RAM or equivalent.
3.1 Designated Pilot Lists. The Chief and Supervising Pilots shall maintain a list of Designated Pilots under their authority. These lists shall be validated annually, based on the proficiency requirements in Section 4.3 of this Chapter, and copies forwarded to ASB and the RAM or equivalent by January 1. Subsequent pilot designation memoranda shall be appended to these annual lists.
3.2 Mission Reports Summary. An annual summary of written mission reports (see Section 5.1) shall be sent to the ASB Chief by October 1 each year by the RAM or equivalent and the Chief Pilot. The annual summary for the past year shall contain:
a. the total number of missions conducted;
b. the total number of flight hours;
c. the total costs to the U.S. Government; and
d. the total of any non-reimbursed costs.
4. Pilot Designation. NWS flight operations, in support of mission objectives, may only be conducted by NWS Designated Pilots. NWS Headquarters pilots shall be designated by the NWS Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations upon recommendation of the Chief Pilot. The record of such designations shall be a memorandum to the ASB Chief with copies to each Designated Pilot. Similarly, regional pilots shall be designated by the RD upon recommendation of the Supervising Pilot. The regional record of the designation shall be a memorandum to the RAM or equivalent with copies to each Designated Pilot, the Chief Pilot, and the ASB Chief.
4.1 Pilot Eligibility. Only licensed pilots (Airplane Category) holding current medical certificates and meeting FAA and NWS currency and proficiency requirements may be NWS Designated Pilots.
4.2 Requests for Pilot Designation. Requests for designation as an NWS pilot shall be forwarded to the Chief or appropriate Supervising Pilot. Such requests for designation shall include:
a. pilot's full name;
b. FAA Pilot Certificate Number;
c. certificate ratings and limitations;
d. date and class of last flight physical;
e. date of last Flight Test, Biennial Flight Review or its equivalent; and
f. The total number of hours flown during the preceding 12 months and during the preceding 90 days.
4.3 Suspension of Pilot Designation. Any change in pilot status that would result in ineligibility for designation as an NWS pilot shall be promptly reported to the Chief/Supervising Pilot and designation suspended until eligibility is restored.
4.4 Flight Proficiency Requirements. An annual average flight time of 4 hours per month is a minimum requirement for NWS Designated Pilots to maintain currency and flight proficiency. By October 1 of each year, all Designated Pilots shall report their number of hours flown during the preceding 12 months to the Chief/Supervising Pilot.
In order to maintain eligibility for designation, any pilot who fails to complete 48 hours of flight time during any year shall present to the Chief/Supervising Pilot a copy of a recent logbook endorsement obtained within the preceding 30 days indicating one of the following:
a. a successful proficiency check conducted by the FAA or an approved pilot check airman for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege; or
b. a Biennial Flight Review or its equivalent.
5. General Flight Operations Rules. All NWS flight operations shall be conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), including those in regard to flight crew size and rating requirements. The following rules apply to the planning and execution of all NWS flights:
a. The Chief/Supervisory Pilot should be notified of any proposed.NWS flight operation.
b. It is the responsibility of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to assure the airworthiness and suitability of any aircraft and equipment for the intended flight.
c. The gross weight and center-of-gravity accounting for crew, passengers, fuel, oil, baggage, tools, or other equipment shall be accurately computed before each flight to ensure that the aircraft is within weight and balance limits for the type of flight planned.
d. The PIC shall ensure that pertinent aeronautical charts in current and appropriate form are accessible for each flight. In addition, for IFR, VFR-On-Top, and night operations, each pertinent navigational en route, terminal area, and approach and letdown chart shall be accessible.
e. It shall be the responsibility of the PIC to obtain and use weather information sufficient to plan and conduct a safe flight.
f. Flights shall be canceled, delayed, or rerouted at the discretion of the PIC whenever the capabilities of the aircraft, the qualifications and recent experience of the pilot and crew, or the conditions of the flight might compromise safety.
g. Under no circumstances shall flights be conducted to or from locations that are, or are forecast to be, below the IFR landing minimums or VFR weather minimums appropriate for the pilot and aircraft at the estimated time of arrival.
h. All flights shall be conducted with IFR fuel reserves.
i. Flights conducted at the end of a workday or shift shall require a two-pilot crew unless specifically exempted by the Chief/Supervising Pilot.
j. Instrument flights planned to or from high density terminals, or at night, or expected to encounter more than 2 hours of actual instrument conditions shall require a two-pilot crew unless specifically exempted by the Chief/Supervising Pilot.
k. Unless otherwise required by the rules governing the operation of a particular aircraft or by the appropriate Chief/Supervising Pilot, the second pilot of a two-pilot crew need not be current, rated in the aircraft, or instrument rated. However, only NWS Designated Pilots are authorized to operate or act as flight crew aboard a privately owned, leased, or rented aircraft used in support of NWS missions or programs.
l. The PIC shall brief any other flight crew on duty assignments and on emergency equipment and procedures prior to boarding. The PIC is responsible for ensuring that flight conditions will permit proper crew coordination.
m. All emergency and survival equipment required by FARs shall be carried. Passengers shall be briefed before takeoff on the use of such equipment and on emergency procedures pertinent to the flight.
5.1 Mission Reports. Whenever the provisions of this WSOM Chapter are exercised for the purposes of an NWS program or mission, the PIC shall forward a written report to the Chief/Supervising Pilot giving details of the mission. This written report shall contain:
a. names and affiliation of pilot, flight crew, and passengers;
b. the type of aircraft used;
c. departure and destination points;
d. the period of rental or lease;
e. the purpose or mission accomplished;
f. the name of the contractor (or fixed-base operator), address, and telephone number;
g. total flight time and total cost of operating the aircraft; and
h. a copy of the PIC purchase order (if the aircraft is leased).
5.2 Incident or Accident Reports. In the event of any aircraft incident or accident during an NWS mission, notification shall be given by the Designated Pilot or Designated Pilot's office manager to the Chief/Supervising Pilot and RAM within 48 hours. If a written report is necessary per National Transportation Safety Board Part 830, Rules Pertaining to the Notification and Reporting of aircraft Accidents or Incidents, a copy of that report shall be sent to the Chief/Supervising Pilot.
6. Authorization Procedures. Authorization for Designated Pilots to act as pilot or crew on a flight directly supporting their primary NWS duties and any other authorizations for NWS personnel to perform their Designated Pilot duties shall be made through travel orders in accordance with the NOAA Travel Handbook. In addition to general authorization procedures, specific information regarding rental aircraft can be found within the Federal Travel Regulations, Chapter 301. Any question regarding the payment process and pertinent NOAA directives for travel conducted under the provisions of this Chapter should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Administrative Management Division or equivalent prior to any mission.
7. Transporting Non-U.S. Government Passenger(s). Authorization, in accordance with appropriate NOAA directives regarding the carriage of non-U.S. Government passengers, shall be obtained prior to non-U.S. Government personnel boarding an aircraft operated under the provisions of this Chapter.
WSOM Issuance
94-11 7-11-94