122 Flashcards
What is the actual name of the 122?
Aircraft Operating Procedures for Air-Capable Ships NATOPS Manual (NAVAIR 00-80T-122)
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 scan to a visual reference scan.
Define Air-Capable Ship.
All ships other than CVN or LHA/LHD from which aircraft can take off, be recovered, or routinely receive and transfer logistical support.
Describe Alert 5.
Aircraft:
Spotted for immediate takeoff, blades spread, required stores loaded, external power applied, and mission equipment warmed up.
Aircrew:
Strapped in with preflight checklist complete up to starting engines.
Ship:
At flight quarters, with fire party on station.
Maximum Time:
4 hours
Note:
Alert 5 is as fatiguing as actual flight and should normally be used when launch is imminent.
Describe Alert 15.
Aircraft:
Spotted for takeoff, blades spread, required stores loaded.
Aircrew:
Briefed for flight, preflight inspection complete, and standing by on immediate call.
Ship:
At flight quarters. Fire party in immediate vicinity.
Maximum Time:
8 hours
Describe Alert 30.
Aircraft:
Aircraft rotors may be folded. Aircraft may be on deck or in hangar. Required stores loaded.
Aircrew:
Briefed for flight.
Ship:
Not at flight quarters.
Maximum Time:
18/48 hours
Note:
Two aircraft detachments manning allows for unlimited Alert 30 readiness. Daily and Turnaround Inspections will be required every 24 to 72 hours.
Describe Alert 60.
Aircraft:
In hangar, secured for heavy weather; minor maintenance may be performed.
Aircrew:
Designated and available.
Ship:
Not at flight quarters.
Maximum Time:
None
Alert times are accurate and shall be considered mandatory. (True/False)
False.
Alert times are approximations and shall not be considered mandatory.
What are the 3 Levels of Operation?
- Level I - IMC day/night operations.
- Level II - VMC day/night operations.
- Level III - VMC day only operations.
The 3 Levels of Operation were established to differentiate between operational requirements.
Describe a Class 1 Facility.
Landing area with support facilities (service and maintenance) for the types of aircraft certified.
Describe a Class 2 Facility.
Landing area with service facilities for the types of aircraft certified.
Describe a Class 2A Facility.
Landing area with limited service facilities for the types of aircraft certified.
Describe a Class 3 Facility.
Landing area for the types of aircraft certified; no service facilities.
Describe a Class 4 Facility.
VERTREP/hover area (minimum hover height of 5 feet) for types of aircraft certified.
Describe a Class 5 Facility.
VERTREP/hover area (high hover with a minimum of 15 feet authorized) for types of aircraft certified.
Describe a Class 6 Facility.
HIFR facility capable of delivering a minimum of 50 gallons of fuel per minute, at a pressure of 20 psi, to a height of 40 feet above the water.
Describe a Class 6R Facility.
HIFR facility capable of delivering only 25 to 49 gallons of fuel per minute, at a pressure of 20 psi, to a height of 40 feet above the water.
Define the Shipboard Takeoff Environment.
That phase of the departure from an air capable ship, nominally from flight deck takeoff to a pre-briefed level-off altitude, of at least 150 feet AGL, during which the aircrew transitions from a visual reference scan to an instrument reference scan.
For departures from single-spot ships, when does the PAC transition from a visual reference scan to an instrument reference scan?
Once a positive rate of climb is attained and obstruction clearance is assured.
What is the TACAN requirement in the 122?
For aircraft equipped with a TACAN, ship’s TACAN system shall be operable for all shipboard launches and recoveries in IMC.
When is a Horizon Reference System (HRS) required? Why? NVD considerations?
Without a visible horizon, an operable HRS (when installed) shall be utilized for single-spot ship operations.
Flight operations without a visible horizon (natural or HRS) may result in spatial disorientation.
A visible horizon may be obtained through the use of NVDs and must be the same devices that would be used by the aircrew in flight.
Where on a DDG are we authorized to conduct VERTREP?
Flight deck and the forecastle.
What is an HRU? Can we launch if our ship is assigned as an HRU?
The Horizon Reference Unit (HRU) is a ship assigned a particular station in a CSG to assist CVN assets in recovering.
An HRU ship must abide by maneuvering restrictions that may prevent acceptable helicopter launch and recovery wind envelopes.
Helicopter launch and recovery operations should be avoided while the ship is assigned HRU duties.
Explain Permissible Lighting Equipment Degradations for Unaided Operations (Legacy).
Night Unaided VMC Operations may be conducted in the event of a failure of not more than one of the lighting subsystems required for ships facility certification provided the following criteria are met:
- A visible horizon exists and is discernable by the HAC in the shipboard landing/takeoff environment.
- The ship’s CO and embarked Air Det OIC (HAC for non-embarked evolutions) concur that the failed lighting system is not critical to the scheduled mission.
Explain the Permissible Lighting Equipment Degradations for Aided (NVD) Operations (Legacy).
Aided operations may be conducted in the event of a failure of more than one of the lighting subsystems required for ship’s facility certification, provided all of the following criteria are met:
- A visible horizon exists and is discernable through NVDs by the HAC in the shipboard landing/takeoff environment.
- The ship’s CO and embarked Air Det OIC (HAC for non-embarked evolutions) concur that the failed lighting systems are not critical to the scheduled mission.
- The following subsystems remain operational and available:
a. Overhead/Forward Structure Floodlights
b. Deck Surface Hangar Wash Floodlights
c. Associated lighting control panels
What is the sea state limit for passenger transfers to submarines?
A transfer should not be attempted in a sea state above 4.
List and describe the 3 locations for passenger transfers to a submarine in decreasing order of presence.
- Center of Main Deck:
Is only for SSBN, the relative winds will be from 320 to 350° at 15 to 20 knots; the helicopter positions into the wind. - Port Sail Plane/Top of Sail:
Is the primary method for SSN, the relative winds will be from 010 to 040° at 15 to 20 knots; the helicopter positions into the wind. - Starboard Sail Plane:
The relative winds will be from 160 to 200° at 15 to 20 knots (minimum is 10 knots). The helicopter will position on the starboard side maintaining station as necessary.
What are the considerations for the following submarines: Seawolf Class (SSN21), Virginia Class (SSN-74), and improved Los Angeles Class (SSN-751)?
They do not have sail planes, thus all transfers must be done at the top of the sail.
The submarine will employ a _____ and upon request, a _____ to indicate wind speed and direction.
Windsock, smoke float
What does the 122 say about Night Submarine Transfers?
Night transfers to submarines require operational necessity.
Night wind parameters are the same as daylight operations.
Submarines shall attempt to rig lighting to illuminate the top of the sail, sail planes, and the afterdeck.
The sub should rig a small light to the highest point on the submarine.
The helicopter may use flood/hover lights to provide visual reference with the submarine.
When is obstruction clearance ensured in regards to the Landing Lineup Line and Circle?
Obstruction clearance is ensured when the aircraft lands with the main mounts within the landing circle and the fuselage centerline aligned with the landing lineup line.
When is obstruction clearance ensured in regards to the Vertical Replenishment “T” Line?
Obstruction clearance is ensured when the aircraft hovers with its rotor hub on or aft the line.
When operational necessity dictates the conduct of Night HIFR, what conditions shall exist?
- A visible natural horizon as viewed by the pilot.
- Ship motion should not exceed 5° pitch and 10° roll.
- HIFR heading lights shall be on and the LSE shall be positioned with both amber wands at the helicopter control point.
- Radio contact with the helicopter shall be established and the ship’s course, speed, pitch , roll, and relative winds shall be passed.
What is required to conduct Night VERTREP?
- Ship must be certified as Level I or Level II or have a waiver.
- A natural horizon must be present.
- The drop/pickup zone of the ship to be worked must be clearly visible from the aircraft’s cockpit when over the drop/pickup zone of the transferring/receiving ship.
Define Red Deck.
Flight Deck Status light indicating that conditions on the flight deck are not favorable for aircraft operations that would occur during amber or green deck.
The ship is free to safely maneuver as required.
Define Amber Deck.
Flight Deck Status light indicating that a helicopter’s rotors are between the stopped and full rotational speed positions during rotor engagement or disengagement.
Also used when the aircraft is not chocked and chained to the deck, i.e. straightening, traversing, towing, and during maintenance evolutions.
Course or speed changes shall not be made by the ship in this condition.
Define Green Deck.
Flight Deck Status light indicating that flight deck, shipboard, environmental, and aircraft conditions are within prescribed limits to safely launch and/or recover aircraft from the flight deck, or to conduct VERTREP or HIFR operations.
Course or speed changes shall not be made by the ship in this condition.
Define the Air Capable Ship Control Zone.
The airspace surrounding each air-capable ship that possesses equipment for approved IFR approaches is defined as a circle, 5 nm in radius, extending from the surface to an altitude of 2,500’ MSL.
What does the 122 say about Sonic Boom Concussions?
High-performance aircraft shall not be cleared for supersonic low-altitude passes alongside or over ships with embarked helicopters.
The resultant concussion produces considerable damage to helicopter structures and hatches in the same manner as gunfire concussions.
List the 10 items the ship shall complete in response to an in-flight emergency or MAYDAY being declared/identified?
ART PASN BRO
- Aircraft position, plot.
- Radar contact, maintain.
- Turn toward the aircrafts last known position or crash site and proceed at best speed.
- Provide aircraft with vectors to nearest airport or air-capable ship (as required).
- Air distress frequencies (121.5/243.0), monitor.
- Summon qualified pilot to CIC and/or bridge (if available).
- Notify senior detachment pilot aboard (if available).
- Brief and station additional lookouts (as required).
- Request assistance from/inform accompanying units/agencies (as required).
- Obtain amplifying information as to type of emergency and pilots intent.
What are the 4 basic categories of aircraft emergencies?
- Those that cause the aircraft to ditch/crash.
- Those that require an immediate landing.
- Those that require a precautionary shipboard landing.
- Those that occur on the flight deck.
When should you execute an Offset Approach and what are its considerations?
If a missile has experienced a hang fire or misfire and no shore facility or aviation ship is available with EOD to inspect the ordnance, the Offset Approach procedure shall be executed.
Hung ordnance on the right side of the helicopter shall be jettisoned prior to landing aboard air capable ships.
The Offset Approach shall be flown from the opposite seat from the hang fire/misfire.
In Night IMC the Offset Approach should not be performed and consideration shall be given to jettisoning the hang fire/misfire.
Draw and describe the Offset Approach.
What is the HRS?
The Horizon Reference Set (HRS) is an electromechanically stabilized landing aid designed for use on designated air-capable ships.
Consists of a 10 ft (3.05 m) bar and electroluminescent/LED panels that are NVD friendly.
The bar is gyro-stabilized to remain level in the horizontal plane, providing the pilot with an artificial horizon and visual cues during night shipboard operations.
The system fail warning light on HRS is a _____ source which is not dimmable and must be rendered inoperative by removing the _____ in the warning light.
System fail warning light illumination may cause _____.
Red non-NVD friendly, bulbs, significant NVD degradation.
When shall the HRS be utilized?
Without a visible horizon, an operable HRS (when installed) shall be utilized for single-spot ship operations.
Draw the flight deck of a DDG Flight II/a.
Draw the flight deck of a DDG Flight I
The ball and ‘T’ line provides clearance for the _____ and _____ series aircraft when the aircraft hover with the main and/or tail rotor hubs over or aft the line.
H-53, V-22
Where would you look to find information about operating with a foreign navies ship?
Helicopter Operations from Ships other than Carriers (HOSTAC)
What are the 11 items requiring Operational Necessity in the 122?
- Operations to a ship that is not certified or to a ship that is currently certified but is not normally certified for the MH-60R.
- Night HIFR.
- Loading ordnance inside the hangar (requires CO’s approval as well).
- Night operations to an LCS without a functional HRS nor visible horizon (requires O6’s approval as well).
- Unscheduled launches/recoveries during close proximity operations.
- Night passenger flights to or from air-capable ships.
- Night transfers to submarines.
- Overflying ships with an external load.
- Carrying LOX carts (also must be directed by TYCOM or higher).
- Personnel transfer to or from ships during cold-weather operations.
- Manual deck handling of the MH-60R.
When does the PAC transition from a visual reference scan to an instrument reference scan in the shipboard takeoff environment?
Once a positive rate of climb is attained and obstruction clearance is assured.
What are optimum winds for HIFR?
300° to 360° at 10 to 30 knots.
What are ideal winds for VERTREP?
A 15 to 30 knots relative headwind.
The ‘squatting’ effect further lowers the freeboard of DDG-51 class chips by as much as _____ for every knot greater than _____, increasing the likelihood of deck wave incursion hazards.
6 inches, 15 knots
‘_____’ regions indicate a hazard of 2 feet of water over the flight deck which may _____ or _____ or into the aircraft fuselage.
Yellow, damage aircraft, wash personnel overboard
Ship operation in the ‘_____’ regions presents a significant risk of sea water impacting the _____.
Red, engaged H-60 rotor system
Explain the guidance for wave height less than 4 feet with personnel and/or aircraft on the flight deck.
For seas less than 4 feet significant wave height, the ‘Rule of 25’ applies while conducting a heading change.
The ‘Rule of 25’ states that the number obtained by adding the ship speed in knots and the rudder angle in degrees shall not exceed 25.
What is the guidance for wave height 4 to 12 feet (shown on wave hazard plots) with personnel and/or aircraft on the flight deck?
4 to 10 feet:
A maneuvering speed limit of 12 knots applies while conducting a heading change.
10 to 12 feet:
Maneuvering shall only be conducted in cases of emergency in which case a maneuvering speed limit of 10 knots applies.
These maneuvering speed limit boundary lines are designated on each polar plot as a solid black line.
Except in cases of emergency, neither the maneuvering speed limit nor rudder angle in excess of 15 degrees shall be exceeded during maneuvering.
If the wave height is estimated by _____, add _____ to the value estimated before selecting a wave hazard plot.
Visual estimation, 3 feet
If the estimated significant wave height lies at the _____, the more _____ wave hazard polar plot must be used.
Boundary of a polar plot’s wave height range, conservative
In all cases avoid _____ through a red region on the polar plot.
Turning through
Attempting to _____ before slowing down may place the aircrew and flight deck personnel in even more hazardous condition.
Turn
What is the real name of the maneuvering circle?
Maneuvering Speed Limit (12 kts) Circle
Describe the SGSI (Legacy).
The Stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (SGSI) is an electro-hydraulic optical landing aid that enables the pilot to visually establish and maintain the proper glide slope for a safe approach and landing.
The visual acquisition range is approximately 3 miles at night under optimum environmental conditions.
It provides a single bar of green light (1.5°), amber light (1°), or red light (6-1/2°), which is projected through 40° in azimuth.
How do we fly the SGSI?
By adjusting the aircrafts altitude in order to keep the red-amber interface visible, the pilot can maintain a safe 3° glide path to the landing platform.
Explain how to use a polar plot.
Regardless of deck status, _____ shall be restricted anytime an aircraft is _____ to avoid conditions that will expose the aircraft to _____. If there is doubt in the ability to predict or avoid such conditions, the _____ shall be _____ as soon as possible.
Ship maneuvers (to include speed changes), on deck, direct contact with the sea or waves over the deck, rotor system, disengaged.
To avoid the possibility of loss or damage to the aircraft, the ship shall not _____ during launch or recovery, _____, or at any time that the aircraft is not _____ on board air-capable ships.
Change course or speed, during rotor engagement/disengagement, tied down.
When may a ship maneuver or change speed during Green or Amber Deck?
In the event of an emergency, they must also immediately notify the pilot.
_____ reduce ship stability quickly and unpredictably generate _____. High speed reduces _____ and increases _____. _____ are particularly susceptible to hazardous deck conditions. All these conditions increase the probability of _____ or _____.
Aft quartering seas, large deck motions, freeboard, instability, Low freeboard ships (DDG), loss of aircraft, life.
What are the considerations for Winds Abaft the Beam?
For night/IMC launches and recoveries, ship course and speed solutions with true winds abaft the beam are not recommended.
The high nose attitude required to keep the helicopters closure rate under control, coupled with the reduced visual references associated with night operations, increases the possibility of vertigo for the aircrew.
Due to increased risks, night/IMC launch and recovery operations with true winds abaft the beam shall only be conducted with PIC concurrence.
What is the JP-5 Fuel Quality Warning?
Aircraft shall not be refueled if fuel is not clean and bright; contains more than 2 mg/L of particulate matter, or contains more than 5 ppm of free water.
Explain the RADHAZ/HERP/HERO chart found in the 122.
What are the 4 criteria that will trigger the ship to believe you are Lost Communications?
- A Mode III code 7600 IFF return is detected or appropriate mode amplifies the situation.
- A radar target is detected making 120° turns every 2 minutes.
- A radio communication check or expected report is 15 minutes overdue.
- The ship and helicopter do not make contact at the briefed recovery time.
When will the ship assume you are a Lost Aircraft?
When a positive radar/IFF contact is not established and either:
a. A radio communications check or expected report is 30 minutes overdue.
or
b. When the aircraft is more than 30 minutes overdue for the briefed recovery time.
Explain VMC Lost Communications procedures.
Under EMCON or when lost communications, how do you tell the ship, “I desire immediate HIFR”?
Fly by and return to hover on the port beam, give hand signal for “Desire HIFR”, and fire flare seaward.
Under EMCON or when lost communications, how do you tell the ship, “I desire to establish radio communications with you on primary helicopter control, or alternate, Fleet Common 277.8 MHz”?
Fly by slowly on the port side of the ship in low-altitude tight left-hand pattern, or fire flare seaward.
When would you use a Smokelight Approach and who can authorize it?
The smokelight 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 ships CO and the PIC (or DET OIC) must have agreed to attempt the procedure.
What should you consider doing prior to attempting a Smokelight Approach?
Considerations should be given to the following prior to attempting a smokelight approach:
- Returning the aircraft to the ship early.
- Maneuvering the ship into an area of better visibility.
- Vectoring the aircraft to another available ship where visibility is better.
- Vectoring the aircraft to a suitable alternate airfield.
Describe the Smokelight Approach.
The aircraft is positioned 2 miles astern of the ship (180° relative bearing from BRC) and proceeds inbound.
The aircraft descends at the pilots discretion to 40’ and 40 knots.
Ship’s personnel drop smokes/matrix lights every 15 seconds (or other prearranged interval), and the pilot is kept informed of the interval and number of smokelights in the water.
The PAC follows the smokelights up the ship’s wake, adjusting closure rate until they can hold the ship visually.
Is an ELVA an emergency procedure?
An Emergency Low-Visibility Approach (ELVA) to an air-capable ship that is below minimums (200’ ceiling/ 0.5 mile visibility) is an emergency procedure.
An actual ELVA shall not be attempted unless the aircraft _____ to a _____ or _____.
Does not have adequate fuel to divert, Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) - equipped airfield, CCA - equipped aviation ship.
For an ELVA, the initial approach pattern must be executed so that the aircraft reaches the _____ gate position, at an altitude of _____ and an airspeed of _____.
4 mile, 400’, 70 knots.
Describe a normal approach to a ship.
Explain how to conduct an ELVA.
Radar vectors to offset final, gate at 4 miles, 400 feet AGL, 70 knots.
Descend 50 feet every half mile. At 1 mile, be at 100 feet, 40 knots.
Descend to 50 feet by 1/2 mile. Drive in at 50 feet, 40 knots until MAP.
MAP: 100 yards, 50 feet.
What are the passenger requirements in the 122?
Passengers to be embarked in the aircraft must:
- Be manifested.
- Have proper cranial protection.
- Have an emergency flotation device.
- Be briefed, to include flight emergencies/egress.
Define NVD Compatible.
Lighting systems which are only required for the unaided operator and shall have no adverse affect on the operator equipped with ANVIS devices.
System is virtually invisible to the ANVIS device.
Define NVD Compliant.
Components that are NVD compatible, NVD shipboard friendly, and noncompatible systems which are dimmed, baffled, or hidden from direct line of sight of the aided operator.
Aircraft in unsheltered stowage normally require _____ daily for freshwater washdown purposes.
500 gallons.
An aircraft in sheltered stowage normally requires _____ of freshwater daily.
100 gallons.
What is the flashpoint requirement for hangaring the aircraft?
When fueling with JP-5 is not possible, helicopters shall not be hangared until the flashpoint of the fuel in the helicopter fuel tanks is above 120° F.
Is an air-capable ship’s fox corpen magnetic or true?
True
Define Squatting.
A hydrodynamic effect which occurs when increased water flow causes pressure differentials to form near the stern, resulting in a decrease in aft freeboard with increased ship speed.
This effect lowers the freeboard of DDG 51 Class ships by as much as 6 inches for every knot greater than 15 knots, increasing the likelihood of deck wave incursion hazards.
Explain the HEFOE codes.
First Digit:
0 = Okay
1 = Hydrualic
2 = Electrical
3 = Fuel
4 = O2
5 = Engine
Second Digit:
1 = No. Rec. TACAN ok
2 = No. Rec. ADF ok
3. Rec. ok No NAVAID(s)
With HEFOE code, use 7700. For example:
7733 = Emergency, Fuel, No NAVAID(s)
Night transfers to submarines shall not be attempted except _____.
In cases of operational necessity.
List the 6 personnel (minimum requirement) for movement of an aircraft on the flight deck or hangar deck.
- Flight Deck Director (FDD)
- Chock/Tiedown Personnel (x2)
- Brakerider
- Safety Observers (x2)
As a general rule, the radius of action, all conditions being optimum, shall not exceed _____.
45% of maximum range.
Explain the Post Deployment “Fly-off” Policy.
Post-deployment “fly-offs” have statistically proven to be more hazardous because of the psychological factors involved and, therefore normally should not be conducted at night or under instrument flight conditions.
Fly-off distances shall not exceed 75% of maximum range.
A helicopter may be hangared in an alert condition with the _____, _____, _____, _____, in place, but safety devices shall not be removed from the launchers until the helicopter is ready for takeoff.
Torpedoes, marine markers, sonobuoys, CADs.
Aircraft shall not be hangared with _____ or _____ loaded due to the possibility of inadvertent discharge causing injury or death.
ALE-39/37, AIRBOC.
What is ISATT and which chapter can it be found it?
Initial Ship Aviation Team Training (ISATT) can be found in Chapter 5.
What is the average DDG flight deck height above the waterline?
15’ 10”
What is the average CG flight deck height above the waterline?
33’
Hovering rotorcraft should be considered _____. Ships shall not pass within _____ of a hovering rotorcraft.
Ships not under command, 500 yards.
Which difference between Flight I, Flight II, and Flight IIA DDGs matters to us?
Only Flight IIA have hangars.
Relative winds in excess of 60 kts are considered to be what?
Heavy Weather Conditions; aircraft should be moved into the hangar prior to the onset of these conditions.
Define Free-deck Recovery.
Recovery to a RAST-equipped ship using the RSD without the use of the haul-down cable.
Define Clear-deck Recovery.
Conventional landing on a RAST-equipped ship that does not use the haul-down cable or the RSD.
Define Recovery Assist (RA) Recovery.
Recovery to a RAST-equipped ship using both the haul-down cable and the RSD portions of the RAST system.
Can the ship’s leadership task us with additional/collateral duties when embarked?
Aviation detachment personnel assigned to air-capable ships shall not be assigned additional or collateral duties.
The requirement of the aircraft to fly or to be immediately ready to fly around the clock puts the detachment personnel on a 24-hour call basis.
Explain the considerations of the ship’s wake when the ship is at speeds greater than 25 knots (Rooster Tailing).
Aboard DDG-79 class ships, the wake extends above the flight deck level at ship speeds greater than approximately 25 knots.
During night launch/recovery operations, aft extended lineup lights may be obscured by large ship wake at ship speeds in excess of 25 knots.
Pilots should exercise caution during launch/recovery with ship speeds greater than approximately 25 knots.
Define Pigeons.
Vectors provided by ship’s aircraft controllers or ASTACs to a specified destination.
Define ASTAC.
Antisubmarine/Antisurface Warfare Tactical Air Controller.
What are the 2 types of HIFR hoses?
- USN configuration
- NATO configuration
What are optimum winds for Normal Operations?
Winds down the lineup line at approximately half the maximum speed allowed by the applicable wind envelopes in Appendices D through O in the 122.
What are optimum winds for a Single-Engine
Landing.
Relative wind as close as possible to being down the lineup line at the maximum wind speed allowed by the appropriate wind envelopes in Appendices D through O in the 122.
What are optimum winds for an Up-the-Stern Approach?
Winds 10° to 20° off the port bow at one-half the maximum speed allowed.
