Interagency Single Engine Air Tanker Operations Guide - National ...

INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE
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Drop: That which is dropped in a cargo dropping, or retardant, water/foam
dropping operation.
Drop configuration: The type air tanker/helitanker drop selected to cover the
target, based on door/tank system and how the doors and compartments are
sequenced to open/close (see salvo, split load and trail).
Drop zone: The area around and immediately above the target to be dropped
on.
Drought index: A number representing net effect of evaporation, transpiration
and precipitation in producing cumulative moisture depletion in deep duff or
upper soil layers. The Palmer Drought Index is the most widely used.
Dry lightning storm: A lightning storm with negligible precipitation reaching
the ground.
Dry run: A flight made on the flight route above the “live drop” altitude but
without making a drop.
Duff: The partly decomposed organic material of the forest floor beneath the
litter of freshly fallen twigs, needles and leaves.
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Early: A drop that was early or short of the target, e.g., “You were early on the
last drop.”
Edge firing: A technique of broadcast burning in which fires are set along the
edges of an area and allowed to spread to the center.
Engine: Any ground vehicle providing specified levels of pumping, water and
hose capacity.
Escape route: A route of travel known to all that leads away from the point of
danger, generally to a safety zone. It should be preplanned.
Escaped fire: A fire which has exceeded initial attack capabilities.
Exit: Flight route away from an operations area or a command used to indicate
the direction the Air Tanker Coordinator wants the pilot to fly after a given
maneuver, e.g., “Exit southbound over the lake.”
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