Aviation Services for Marine Mammal Surveys Aircraft and Pilots An aircraft in compliance with the requirements in Part 1 C, Sections 1, 2 & 3 will be provided for a minimum of 15 days per month in each month of the Period of Performance for use by the Department. Beginning in June 2025, the aircraft will be on standby at/near Knox County Airport (KRKD) and available to conduct aerial surveys for marine mammals for 15 days per month, in each month of the year. The selection of dates and availability will be coordinated with the Department at least one week in advance of each survey month. During the survey period each month, an attempt will be made to fly approximately 50 transect lines in the Gulf of Maine totaling no more than 2170 NM and utilizing no more than 35 total flight hours per month. Flights will be coordinated with the Department to cover each transect line (APPENDIX G, Figure 1) based on weather conditions during the survey window. Survey transects will be flown in a Beaufort sea state of 5 or lower. Aerial surveys shall be conducted under the following parameters: All mission flights will be conducted in VFR conditions and abiding by all VFR cloud clearance and visibility requirements per FAR 91.155. Flight operations shall not extend beyond 45 minutes of reserve fuel at a groundspeed of 120 knots. Flight operations over water shall not extend beyond 1 hour prior to sunset.
