AIRTEC is proud to support the critical missions of firefighters and first responders who do courageous work to keep our communities and forests safe. The support we provide from the air only matters because of the people on the ground.

We are honored to continue the mission with a lease extension on this Owyhee Air Research led 10-year Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) with the USFS, providing aerial intelligence support that helps decision makers on the ground understand the current situation and respond effectively. Learn more about our role here https://www.flyairtec.com/news/airtec-secures-aircraft-lease-to-provide-critical-wildfire-management-support/. Collaboration efforts have resulted in a record number of successful ground and aerial firefighter missions in the western U.S. and this effort will continue to enable agencies to detect hot spots and develop fire maps to make more rapid, informed decisions.

Significance of USFS Carded Aircraft

AIRTEC’s specially modified King Air B300 aircraft is fully carded by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) – inspected, approved, and certified for wildfire operations. Being USFS carded means the aircraft and its crew have successfully passed a formal inspection and qualification process that authorizes them to perform missions in support of federal wildland fire, natural resource, and other aviation operations. A USFS carded aircraft is a government approved aircraft that can perform designated missions for USFS and other interagency partners.

This designation is often a prerequisite for supporting operations such as wildland fire suppression, reconnaissance, and fire surveillance. For operators, a carded aircraft is viewed as having met a higher level of operational and safety scrutiny than FAA certification alone. The review process evaluates not only regulatory compliance but also mission-specific capabilities and risk management practices. FAA certification establishes that an aircraft and operator meet federal aviation regulations. USFS carding is an additional government approval process that determines whether the aircraft and crew are suitable for specific federal missions, particularly those conducted in demanding environments. Having USFS carded aircraft demonstrates:

  • Proven safety and operational standards
  • Eligibility for federal wildfire and natural resource missions
  • Qualified pilots and maintainers
  • Mission-specific capabilities validated by government inspectors
  • Readiness to operate in complex, high-risk environments

As an industry leader in global airborne solutions, AIRTEC continues to provide expertise across critical mission areas and partners with some of the world’s leading aviation and technology companies to provide full life cycle, integrated platform solutions and cutting-edge capabilities. AIRTEC specializes in supporting critical, urgent missions with rapid deployment and sustainment at the point of need.

We are proud to be part of this mission and committed to providing solutions to solve important, global challenges when it matters most. May the work we do together help save lives and prevent and stop the spread of wildfires in the future.

For more information or to see how we can solve your airborne mission challenge, contact BD@flyAIRTEC.com.