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

INTERAGENCY SINGLE ENGINE AIR TANKER OPERATIONS GUIDE
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Retardant (short-term): Chemical mixture whose effectiveness relies mostly
on its ability to retain moisture, thereby cooling the fire; common short-term
retardants are water and foam.
Retardant line: Usually constructed by an air tanker or helicopter; treated like
wet line and followed up with ground action.
Risk: (1) The chance of fire starting as determined by the presence and activity
of causative agents. (2) A causative agent. (3) A number related to the potential
number of firebrands to which a given area will be exposed during the rating
day.
Rotor span: The length of a rotor diameter, it is used to make adjustments in
the alignment of flight routes when dropping water/retardant, e.g., “Move the
next drop two rotor spans to the left.”
Route (flight): The path an aircraft takes from a departure pattern or point to an
arrival point or pattern at destination.
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Saddle: Depression or pass in a ridge line.
SAFECOM: A SAFECOM is an aviation communiqué that is used to report
any condition, act, observation or maintenance problem that may have the
potential to cause an aviation-related mishap. The SAFECOM web site can be
accessed at: https://www.safecom.gov/
SAFENET: A SAFENET is a form that is used as a tool to report and resolve
safety concerns encountered in fire operations. The SAFENET web site can be
accessed at: http://safenet.nifc.gov/
Safety zone: A preplanned area void of burnable fuels used for escape if the
fireline is overrun or outflanked, or if a spot fire causes fuels outside the control
line to render the fireline unsafe. During an emergency, tankers may be asked to
reinforce a safety zone using retardant drops.
Salvo: Dropping the entire load or compartment(s) at one time.
SEAT (single engine air tanker): Commonly, but not always, an agricultural
aircraft modified for aerial fire retardant and suppressant delivery.
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