NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP 

Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation 

Subcommittee 

Charter 

1. Background 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) was formed in January 1974, to expand operational 

cooperation and coordination between various public agencies having jurisdictional responsibility for 

wildland fire management. 

In 2007, NWCG was re-chartered, expanding its responsibility and adding new partners. The 

subcommittee chartered herein is one of a number of support groups established by the NWCG to 

provide stewardship for specific business segment areas in fire management. 

Historically, most of the functional business areas to be addressed by this subcommittee were the 

responsibility of the former Smokejumper Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Board (SASEB). 

2. Name 

The name of this subcommittee, hereinafter referred to as the Subcommittee, is the Smokejumper 

Aircraft Screening and Evaluation Subcommittee (SASES) of the National lnteragency Aviation 

Committee. 

3. Authority 

The Subcommittee is established pursuant to the authorities granted in the National lnteragency 

Aviation Committee Charter. 

The deliberations of this Subcommittee are exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act under 

section 204 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. 

The Subcommittee Chair is authorized to convene meetings and schedule agenda items. The 

Subcommittee Chair is also authorized to make contacts, negotiate work assignments, and make 

commitments on behalf of the Subcommittee. 

4. Purpose 

The Subcommittee is established to evaluate Smokejumper aircraft, Paracargo aircraft, and related 

aircraft accessories for safety, effectiveness and efficiency in smokejumper operations. This includes 

evaluation of new aircraft proposed for Smokejumper and/or Paracargo operations and continued 

oversight of approved aircraft. This does not include authority for aircraft inspection and carding. 

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5. Membership 

Subcommittee membership will reflect a mix of people who are knowledgeable in the subject area of 

the Subcommittee and who are from NWCG member agencies and organizations. With NIAC Chair 

approval, other agencies or organizations that are not NWCG members may be selected for 

Subcommittee membership. 

The National lnteragency Aviation Committee will approve the Subcommittee Chair. The term of the 

Subcommittee Chair appointment will be 2 years and may be extended at the discretion of the National 

lnteragency Aviation Committee. 

The primary Subcommittee member roster will be approved by the subcommittee chair in coordination 

with the NIAC agencies represented on the subcommittee .. The terms of each primary member will be 

indefinite. 

6. Organization 

The Subcommittee is under the direction of the National lnteragency Aviation Committee. 

The Subcommittee may Create task teams. 

7. Cooperation and Coordination 

The Subcommittee will work through the National lnteragency Aviation Committee to ensure 

appropriate coordination, collaboration, and information sharing with other groups and organizations 

for the subject matter and specific tasks of the Subcommittee. 

8. Responsibility 

The Subcommittee is primarily responsible for providing interagency guidance to NIAC for 

Smokejumper and Paracargo aviation operations . SASES will maintain a list of aircraft approved for 

Smokejumper and Paracargo operations. 

Charter Amendments 

Changes to, or revocation of, this charter must follow the process outlined in the NWCG Operating 

Principles and Guidelines. 

10. Charter Approval 

This charter is effective as of the date of approval by the Chair of the National lnteragency Aviation 

Committee and shall remain in effect until revised or revoked. 

Approved: 

Concur: 

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may 7 Zoli 

Date J 

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