As reported by Politico, U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy has called for the Forest Service to stop conducting its own inspections of contracted aircraft used in wildfire response.
The Montana Republican is the founder of Bridger Aerospace, a company that has received millions in federal aerial firefighting contracts and currently holds multiple long-term agreements with the Forest Service and Department of the Interior.
Sheehy argues the inspections are duplicative of oversight already provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.
He raised the issue in meetings with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and USDA Deputy Undersecretary Kristin Sleeper.
The matter is under internal discussion, though the USDA has not publicly stated whether any changes are under consideration.
The Forest Service began inspecting contracted aircraft after a series of deadly crashes between 1968 and 1973.
During that period, 104 helicopter accidents occurred, resulting in 19 deaths and 47 injuries.
At that time, the Forest Service did not conduct its own inspections.
Additional tragedies followed, including a 2008 helicopter crash in California that killed nine people.
Investigations cited insufficient oversight by both the Forest Service and the FAA.
A subsequent audit by the USDA Office of Inspector General recommended stronger inspection requirements, which the department implemented the following year.
The Forest Service currently employs around 30 inspectors to examine aircraft and pilot credentials in a process known as “carding.” Sheehy said this overlaps with FAA requirements and delays deployment.
He stated: “Agency carding of firefighting aircraft is a relic of a bygone era and has become an unnecessary barrier to asset availability.”
Paul Petersen, executive director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association, said companies would support moving toward either FAA inspections or industry-developed standards.
According to Petersen, the high demand placed on firefighting aircraft and differences in how agencies apply standards complicate operations and availability.
Sheehy’s office noted that inspector shortages and inconsistent interpretation of standards have delayed aircraft availability.
USDA briefing documents confirmed Sheehy asked for Forest Service inspections to be halted on the grounds they duplicated FAA efforts.
According to Petersen, planned federal downsizing could further strain inspection capacity.
He said companies are now working to create their own inspection systems.
Aviation is one of the Forest Service’s largest expenses, costing between $2,500 and $50,000 per day per aircraft, and the agency’s total aerial firefighting costs exceed $900 million annually.
Bridger Aerospace, the company Sheehy founded and led until 2024, holds multiple active federal contracts, including a $166 million five-year award and a $20.1 million deal signed in January 2025.
Senator Tim Sheehy has requested that the Forest Service cease its annual inspections of contracted aircraft used in wildfire suppression.
Sheehy’s Montana-based company, Bridger Aerospace, holds federal aerial firefighting contracts.
The Forest Service has conducted its own aircraft inspections since the 1970s following a series of fatal accidents.
Sheehy argues that these inspections duplicate oversight from the FAA.
Internal USDA documents confirm the request and indicate discussions are ongoing, though no decisions have been announced.
The United Aerial Firefighters Association expressed support for shifting to FAA or industry-led inspections.
The Forest Service currently uses approximately 30 inspectors for the process known as “carding.” Past crashes and audits have shaped the agency’s inspection protocols.
Concerns have been raised about inspector shortages and differing standards across agencies.
Bridger Aerospace holds several large contracts, including a recent $20.1 million award.
The Forest Service’s aviation program is a major expense, with costs exceeding $900 million annually.
