00-80T-122: Aircraft Operating Procedures for Air Capable Ships NATOPS Manual Flashcards
What 4 categories do aircraft emergencies fall under?
-those cases that cause an aircraft to ditch/crash
-those that require an immediate landing
-those that require a precautionary shipboard landing
-those that occur on the flight deck.
Alert 60
-Aircraft in hangar secured for heavy weather. Minor maintenance may be performed.
-Aircrew designated and available
-Not at flight quarters
-No Max time
Radius of action for aircraft on air capable ships.
Radius of action, SHALL NOT exceed 45% of maximum range of aircraft.
4600 lbs of fuel, 120 kts, 1200 lb/hr = 400 miles
45%(400) = 180
SOP:
One Way Flights
ship to ship/shore-ship: 150 nm
ship-shore: 200 nm
Shipboard radius is 150 nm or maximum reliable comm/nav whichever is less
Radius of action beyond 150 nm in support of specific operations or tactical training may be approved by ISIC but to minimum required to accomplish
What is the mark of a smart ship?
the punctuality with which it meets scheduled evolutions
Offset approach for ordnance?
5 degrees at .25 miles
25 to 40 degrees over flight deck, min is 18*
Alert 30
- Rotors may be folded. Aircraft may be on deck or in hanger. Required stores loaded.
-Aircrew briefed for flight.
-Not at flight quarters
-18/48***
*** Two aircraft detachments manning allows for unlimited alert 30 readiness. Daily and turnaround inspections will be required every 24 to 72 hours.
When can you Transfer passengers by hoist at night?
In emergency situations
What color are HIFR lights?
Yellow/Red
Polar plots do not account for what?
Wave run up
Ships changing course or speed
Sea spray
Wake-wave interaction
What is the Hawklink range restriction?
It is approximately 120 nm because of the maximum data link range at the current aircraft operational altitude limit of 13,000 feet density altitude, or 10,000 feet MSL without supplemental oxygen.
Classes of air capable ships:
4-6R
Class 4- Vertrep/hover area minimum hover height 5 ft
Class 5- Vertrep/hover area minimum hover height 15 ft
Class 6- HIFR facility capable of delivering a minimum of 50 gallons of fuel per minute at a px of 20 psi to a height of 40 ft
Class 6R- HIFR facility capable of delivering 25-49 gallons per minute at a px of 20 psi to a height of 40 feet
Can you load ordnance during an FCF?
Ordnance shall not be loaded on aircraft scheduled for functional check flights.
Smokelight:
-When is it used
-Who has to authorize it
-What should be done beforehand
-Profile
-This approach is used as a last resort when available equipment will not allow ELVA procedures to be used, or when the ship cannot be visually acquired using ELVA procedures.
-Both the commanding officer and the PIC (or detachment OIC) must have agreed to attempt procedure.
-Before attempting:
1. Return the aircraft to the ship early
2. Maneuvering the ship to area of better visibility
3. Vector the aircraft to another ship where visibility is better
4. Vector the aircraft to a suitable alternate airfield
Profile
2 miles astern of thesip, descend at Pilot’s discretion to 40’/40kts
Flare is dropped every 15 seconds
Alert 5
-Spotted for immediate takeoff
-Spread blades.
-Stores loaded.
- Starting equipment (External power applied). Mission equipment warmed up.
-Strapped in. Preflight checklist complete up to starting engines.
-Ship at flight quarters, fire party on station
-4 hr max time
** Alert 5 is as fatiguing as actual flight and should normally be used only when launch is imminent.
Hung Ordnance profile (Alpha profile)
Clockwise pattern, 300’/80kts
Night VERTREP?
What does it require?
What does the ship have to be certified to?
What requirements must be met for night vertrep?
-Operational Necessity for the MH-60R
-Ships that are certified Level I or II or are operating under a waiver may conduct VERTREP at night.
-One or more of the following conditions shall exist prior to conducting night VERTREP to appropriately certified ships:
1. A natural horizon is present.
2. The drop/pickup zone of the ship to be worked is clearly visible from the aircraft’s cockpit when over the drop/pickup zone of the transferring/receiving ship.
Material weighing less than ___ shall be transferred in a weighted bag
30 lbs
Polar Plots:
Black hashed area?
Blue hashed area?
8* roll
2* pitch
Who normally provides inflatable flotation and cranial protection with goggles?
The aircrew and they shall be donned prior to departing the sheltered area and exposure to the flight environment
When is TACAN required?
For aircraft equipped with a TACAN, ship’s TACAN system shall be operable for all shipboard launches and recoveries in IMC.
Who is the primary rescue unit during routine operations?
If unable, who would take their place
Note: The ship itself or its rescue boat are the primary rescue assets during routine operations.
If sea state would prevent rescue by ship or boat, a SAR-equipped helicopter in Alert 30 must be available.
When is the Horizon Reference System (HRS) required to be on?
Without a visible horizon, an operable HRS bar (when installed) shall be utilized for single-spot ship operations
Aircraft shall not be refueled if fuel is?
-Not clean and bright
-contains more than 2 mg/L of particulate matter
-contains more than 5 parts per million (ppm) of free water.
Landing lineup and circle clearance?
Main mounts are in the landing circle and fuselage aligned with the landing lineup line
Night HIFR:
Should you perform practice Night HIFR?
When do you perform Night HIFR?
What conditions are required?
Because of the inherently greater risks to aircrew and flight deck crew, practice night HIFR evolutions should not be performed.
When operational necessity dictates the conduct of night HIFR, the following conditions shall exist:
- A visible natural horizon as viewed by the pilot.
- Ship motion should not exceed 5* pitch and 10* roll.
- Turn on the HIFR heading lights and position the LSE with both amber wands at the helicopter control point.
- Establish radio contact with the helicopter and pass the ship’s course and speed, pitch and roll, and relative wind.
Deck Height for DDG?
SGSI height for DDG?
14’ 10”
37’
Initial tiedowns?
Permanent tiedowns?
Heavy weather tiedowns?
Initial launch and recovery of aircraft, re spotted, prior to movement. 2 chains, chocks.
When aircraft is not scheduled or expected to be launched or respotted. Highs, tails, mains.
During high winds, heavy SAS or prolonged periods. (3 chains per point)
Flight deck fire party is composed of what?
2 AFFF hose teams and a backup team.
Shall be comprised of ships company, it can be augmented with detachment personnel.
Corrosion control water required for sheltered and unsheltered aircraft?
500 gal unsheltered
100 gal sheltered
Deck Height for CG
SGSI for CG height?
33’
51’
Lights for ready for takeoff?
Position lights steady BRIGHT.
ELVA profile
4 miles, 400’, 70 kts
Slow to 40 kts at 1/2 mile
MAP: 50’ AGL, 100 yards vis
For starboard approaches, final approach heading will be BRC minus the flight deck approach angle, for port
approaches, it will be BRC plus flight deck angle, and for straight-in approaches, it will be the BRC.
If a missed approach occurs, the aircraft will make a 30* heading change to the left (right for port approach) and climb to 400 feet.
Vertical separation for helos?
500ft
1000ft from fixed wing
SGSI breakdown?
How do you use it?
-9* total
-1.5* Green
-1* Amber
-6.5* Red
-40* Azimuth
-acquisition range is 3 miles away
In use, the pilot flies the red amber interface which is fixed at three degrees. By adjusting the aircraft’s altitude in order to keep the amber-red interface visible, the pilot can maintain a safe 3* glide path to the landing platform.
(Type 3) “T” line facing inward clearance?
Helicopter hovers with Main and Tail rotor hubs between the two “T” lines
Yellow region of polar plots
2 ft of water on flight deck
Lights for engine start?
-Home Field Day:
-Home Field Night
-Ship Day:
-Ship NT
Home Day: Pos Flashing Bright, Anti: Upper/Day
Home Night: Pos Steady DIM, Rotor Head LT: ON, Anti-Collison- Upper/NT
Ship Day: Pos Steady
Ship NT: Pos Flash DIM
What ordnance are you allowed to hangar the aircraft with?
A helicopter may be hangared in an alert condition with the torpedoes, marine markers, sonobuoys, and CADs in place, but safety devices shall not be removed from launchers until the helicopter is ready for takeoff.
When are 2-way communications mandatory?
- At night
- During periods of low ceiling and visibility
- For flight beyond visual range of the ship
When does the ship wake extend above flight deck level and what is the safety concern when this occurs?
(aka Rooster Tail)
-The ship wake extends above flight deck level at ship speeds greater than approximately 25 knots.
-During night launch/recovery operations, aft extended lineup lights may be obscured by the large ship wake.
Red regions of polar plots?
Rotors submerged
All shipboard Visual Landing Aids (should/shall) be operative for night/low visibility ops.
Should
It shall be NVD compliant
Empty aux tank weight?
132 lbs
When is positive control mandatory?
- Ceiling less than 500 feet.
- Forward flight visibility less than 1 mile.
- All flight operations between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise except as modified by the OTC or the commanding officer.
(Type 1) Dashed line for Vertrep clearance?
Centerline of the aircraft aligned directly over the line
What is HERP?
What are the safe distances?
Hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel
Spy- high power- 520ft
Spy- low power- 50 ft
FCS- 1950 ft
Flight deck and personnel on the helicopter are safe
Lateral separation for helos air capable ships less than 50 miles?
More than 50?
3 mile minimum
5 mile minimum
HIFR winds?
300* - 360* rel. 10- 30 kts
Lost comms for aircraft?
Squawk 7600
120* degree turns every 2 mins
(Type 2) Vertrep “T” line clearance?
Main and tail Rotor hub on or aft of the T line
Polar plots are measured how? And in what increments?
Up to 8 ft
8-10 ft
10-12 ft
5 kts increments
Control zone of air capable ship? Who controls it
Control area? Who controls it
5 nm radius
2500’ MSL
Gives way to aviation ships, airfields, and special use airspace
Controlled by HCO
50nm radius
Upper limit as assigned
Controlled by CNTRL
Permissible lighting degradations for Unaided Operations
Unaided VMC operations may be conducted in the event of a failure of not more than one of the light subsystems required for the ships facility certification provided:
- A visible horizon exists and is discernible by aircraft commander in the shipboard landing/takeoff environment
- The ships CO and the embarked OIC (aircraft commander for non-embarked evolutions) concur that the failed lighting system is not critical to scheduled mission.
Helicopter VMC mins are:
500-1
Classes of Air capable ships:
1-3
Class 1- landing area with support (services and maintenance) facilities for aircraft certified
Class 2- landing area with service facilities for aircraft certified
Class 2A- landing area with limited service facilities for aircraft certified
Class 3- landing area; no service facilities for aircraft certified
Vertrep altitude?
100-150 ft short distance
500 ft for long distance
*reduce oscillations by slowing airspeed
Ships squat occurs when?
15 kts
6in per knot above 15kts
Fly-off distances shall not exceed _____ % of max range of aircraft.
75%
Signal for I require immediate landing?
Fly close aboard starboard quarter, floodlight/landing light ON. If no lights fire a red flare seaward
What does HERO stand for?
Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance
Loading ordinance on flight deck is always preferred. Loading on the hanger may be authorized by who?
CO when operational necessity dictates acceptance of added risk of fire.
Define Shipboard Landing Environment
That phase of the approach, nominally from the Missed Approach Point (MAP) to flight deck landing during which the aircrew transitions from an instrument reference scan to a visual reference scan.
What are the 3 levels of operations for air capable ships?
Level 1 IMC day/night
Level 2 VMC day/night
Level 3 VMC day only
Signal for I desire to land but can wait?
Fly or hover by starboard side with Nav lights BRIGHT and FLASHING and anti collision lights ON.
What frequency is FLT TAC?
277.8
Engine turn ups require what?
FOD walk down
Safety nets are down.
Firefighting equipment is on station
Permission obtained from OOD
Unnecessary personnel are clear
Overhead delta for air capable ships?
500ft left hand pattern around the ship
What are the ideal winds for VERTREP
A relative head wind of 15 to 30 knots is considered ideal
For a CV, this is 090-270, with 030-330 being the optimum winds
For Nonaviation/air capable ships, this is 090-270, with 090-030* and 330-270 being optimum winds
Hovering rotorcraft should be considered ships not under command. Ships shall not pass within _________
500 yds
Wind limit for blade fold/spread or pylon/tail?
45 knots in any direction
HIFR clearance in lost comms / EMCON
Helicopter hovers oriented fore and aft with the hoisting point over the “H” for hose pickup.
Actual ELVA SHALL NOT be conducted unless?
The aircraft does not have adequate fuel to divert to a GCA equipped field / CCA ship
Lights for Rotor engagement?
Ship Day
Ship NT
Ship Day: Position lights Flashing
Ship NT: Position lights FLASHING DIM / Rotor Head LT ON
LAMPS avionics may be continuously operated in temperatures below-
41*C
What are the berthing requirements?
- Officers — Embarked pilots shall be assigned staterooms commensurate with their rank.
- Chief Petty Officers (CPOs) — CPO quarters.
- Enlisted personnel — Berthed in a common compartment located as near aviation facilities as possible and feasible, located so as to be undisturbed by other personnel carrying out the ship’s normal routine
Wind limit for engaging rotors?
Steady course. 45 knots in any direction or gust to 60 knots
4 things you should consider before performing a smoke light approach?
Return to ship early
Maneuver ship into better visibility
Vectoring the aircraft to another ship where visibility is better
Vectoring aircraft to suitable alternate field
What are the three locations for submarine transfer in decreasing order of preference:
When should it NOT be attempted
Center of main deck- SSBN only
Winds from 320-350 at 15 to 20 kts
Port sail plane/ top of sail (primary method for SSN)-
Winds 010 to 040 at 15-20 kts
Starboard sail plane-
160 to 200 at 15-20 kts. Min winds of 10kts
*A transfer should not be attempted in a sea state above 4
(Special Type 2) Vertrep Ball and “T” Line clearance?
Provides clearance for larger rotor craft when Main and tail rotor hub on or aft of the line
The following lighting subsystems remain operational and available:
Overhead/forward structure floodlights
Deck surface/ hanger wash floodlights
Associated lighting control panels
Advanced stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (if installed)
Aviation Lighting System Control Panel Set (if installed)
When is the SGSI required to be on?
When must it be energized/
The SGSI (if operable) shall remain energized during the entire period of night (aided or unaided) operations
The SGSI system must be energized in standby mode a minimum of 4 hours before scheduled flight operations.
SAR Helicopter equipment
- Operable hoist with rescue device.
- Operable searchlight (for night SAR).
- Sufficient liferafts to support passenger rescue equipments.
Permissible lighting degradations for Aided Operations
Aided operations may be conducted in the event of a failure of more than one of the light subsystems required for the ships facility certification provided:
A visible horizon exists and is discernible THROUGH the NVDs by the aircraft commander
The ships CO and the embarked OIC (aircraft commander for non-embarked evolutions) concur that the failed lighting systems are not critical to the scheduled mission.
The following lighting subsystems remain operational and available:
Overhead/forward structure floodlights
Deck surface/ hanger wash floodlights
Associated lighting control panels
Advanced stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (if installed)
Aviation Lighting System Control Panel Set (if installed)
Night transfers to submarines shall not be attempted except in cases of _____.
Operational Necessity
Alert 15
-Spotted for takeoff
-Spread
-Stores loaded
-Aircrew Briefed for flight. Preflight inspection complete. Standing by on immediate call.
-Ship At flight quarters. Fire party in immediate vicinity.
-8 hr max
For APU starts what is required?
OOD notification
Fire bottle manned
Flight deck clear of unnecessary personnel
Which 6 personnel are required to traverse?
Who are the Safety Observers?
LSO, FDD, brake rider, 2 chock/chainers, and power cable tender.
For RAST-equipped air capable ships, an LSO, or traverse-qualified member of the detachment, and power cable tender are required and will act as the two safety observers
Personnel being transferred via hoist shall be provided what?
shall be provided an inflatable lifejacket and protective headgear with eye protection. Personnel should wear gloves if available
Air Capable Ship Definition
All ships other than CVN/LHD from which aircraft can takeoff, be recovered, and routinely receive and transfer logistical support
Clear Deck Recovery
landing without the use of an RSD
Free Deck Recovery
landing with the use of an RSD
Recovery Assisted Recovery
recovery using the haul-down cable and RSD portions of the RAST system
Father/Mother/Parrot
TACAN/Ship/Mode C Transponder
NVD Compliant
refers to NVD compatible, NVD shipboard friendly, and NVD non-compatible that has been baffled, dimmed or hidden from direct line of sight of aided operator
NVD Compatible
Only required for unaided operators
Does NOT effect aided operators
NVD Shipboard Friendly
Required to be seen by both aided and unaided operators
NVD Covert
Only required to be seen by aided operator
Does NOT effect unaided operator
Optimum Winds for Normal Operations
winds down the line up line approximately 1/2 max speed allowed by wind envelope
Optimum Winds for Single-Engine Landings
RELATIVE winds down the line up line at max allowed speed by wind envelope
Optimum Winds for Up-the Stern Approach
winds 10-20* off the port bow at 1/2 max allowable speed
Define Shipboard Takeoff Environment
the phase of the departure from flight deck takeoff to a prebriefed altitude of at least 150’ during which aircrew transitions from visual scan to instrument scan.
Pilot transitions from visual scan to instrument scan once positive rates of climb is attained and obstruction clearance is assured
Significant wave height
average trough to crest of the 1/3 highest waves
Red Deck signifies
Ship is free to maneuver
Amber Deck
ship is within wind engagement limits and restricted in course
Green Deck
ship is within engagement limits, restricted in course AND ready for flight operations
ASGI
- 3 mile acquisition
- green 4.5*
- amber 1*
- red 4.5*
For daytime flight operations, pilot flies the amber-red interface to maintain 3* glideslope and minimize large changes
Limits may be reduced by pilot when the following conditions exist
- Nonstandard ship configuration affecting ship/aircraft clearance, ship motion, turbulence
- Crew Proficiency
- Aircraft degradation / failure
DDG ships operating within red regions of Wave Hazard Plots are …
-prohibited with aircraft and/or personnel on the flight deck or aft lookout
Can DDG operate in yellow region
-Yes but with restrictions
-Consideration given to traversing the aircraft into the hangar and removing flight personnel from flight deck
-If aircraft/personnel on flight deck in known heavy seas (>8 feet) OOD SHALL continually update CO prior to entry into yellow or red region
-Warning: operating in the Red/Yellow Region may result in injury or death
Operating in yellow or red region of the Wave Hazard Plots
operations in red or yellow with aircraft or personnel on the flight deck may cause injury or death
When SHALL personnel wear flotation devices on flight deck
-Nets are down
-Night time (sunset - sunrise)
What is the concern during UNREP
wave reinforcement phenomena caused by two ships in proximity may generate large waves in moderate seas resulting in possibility of aircraft or personnel being struck
Aft quartering seas do what?
Reduce ship stability and may quickly and unpredictably generate large deck motions
Aboard a DDG 79 class ship, wake extends above flight deck at what speeds?
What is the risk?
> 25 kts
During Night launches and recoveries, aft extended line up may be obscured by large ship wave when > 25 kts
What is the concern with landing / taking off with a tailwind
Downwash from rotor system may result in undesired lifting of safety nets during final approach phase of shipboard recovery
Multinational Cross deck Operations
Ship Helicopter Operating Limit (SHOL)
HOSTAC
Ship Facilities Resume
Horizon Reference Unit
Plane guard ship may be assigned HRU for aircraft carrier.
Ships maneuvering restrictions on the ship and may prevent acceptable helicopter launches and recoveries ie should be avoided while ship is HRU
Maneuvering Restrictions During Flight Operations
-Helicopter on deck, locked in RSD with potential for ship rolls to exceed what roll?
10*, and launch is NOT imminent
True winds abaft the beam are NOT recommended when
Night / IMC launches and recoveries
-faster closure rate
-slower KIAS to match ground speed closure
-higher nose attitude required to maintain closure rate
-SHALL only be conducted with PIC in concurrence
IMC or Night Operations takeoff
SHALL depart on the stipulated departure course, climbing to a minimum of 300’ prior to commencing a turn (we don’t do this)
TACAN approach mins
200-1/2 (0.5) ie where you commence your decent
Operational Necessity for the -122
(10)
- Cold Wx Pax Transfer: personnel transfers to or from ship during cold-weather ops should be kept to a minimum as required by op necessity. Authority: Ship CO
- Pax Transfer at Night: flights to/from ship SHALL be limited to operational necessity per CNAF. Authority: Ship CO
- Night transfer to submarine: SHALL NOT be attempted except in cases of operational necessity. Authority: Ship CO
- Night HIFR: following conditions SHALL exist (1) visible horizon as viewed by pilot (2) less than 5* pitch / 10* roll (3) Turn HIFR lighting and position
LSE with wands at control point (4) comms with helo providing numbers. Authority: Ship CO - Load Ordnance in Hangar: SHALL be limited to aircraft scheduled for next launch/alert launch. Authority: Ship CO
- Manual mvmnt of helicopter: with degraded traversing system, manual movement is authorized in cases of emergency or operational necessity. Authority: Fleet Commander
- Operations with Uncertified ships. Authority: COMNAVAIR
- Close Proximity Operations: within 10 nm of CV/LHA, unscheduled launches/recoveries are permissible for emergencies or operational necessity. Authority: OTC or Ship CO
- Aircraft with external loads overflying ship. Authority: Ship CO
10: Liquid Oxygen Transport: extremely dangerous to carry in helicopter. Authority: TYCOM or Higher
