Chapter 3. Flight and Mission Planning Flashcards
Preflight Planning Requirements
At a minimum, the PIC shall be familiar with applicable performance data at all intended and alternate airfields, weather for the route of flight, fuel reserve requirements, aircraft weight and balance, flight restrictions as applicable to MEDEVAC missions, NOTAMs, special use airspace, Air Defense Identification Zones and foreign clearance requirements relevant to the mission.
Prior to any flight, the PIC shall ensure that all required risk management analyses are performed per the Risk Management Instruction, COMDTINST 3500.3 (series) to identify potential hazards and mitigation strategies.
Departure Climb Gradient
The PIC of any fixed-wing aircraft shall ensure the aircraft meets or exceeds the published climb gradient with one engine inoperative for the departure method being used. When no climb gradient is published, the aircraft must be able to climb at 152 feet per nautical mile (2.5 percent) or greater with one engine inoperative. Departures may use visual obstacle avoidance (see-and-avoid) in lieu of meeting the required climb gradient with Commanding Officer approval.
En route Performance
For each segment of the flight, the PIC shall assess the effect of wind, temperature, forecast icing, density altitude, terrain elevation, aircraft gross weight, and potential engine loss on aircraft performance.
Weather Briefing
Obtain an aviation weather briefing before all flights. Acceptable sources of weather data include government-sanctioned aviation weather services and dedicated aviation weather subscription services.
If a weather briefing cannot be obtained prior to departure and the weather conditions are at or above the minimums required for departure, the flight may proceed. The PIC shall contact an appropriate facility for weather information as soon as practicable after takeoff.
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flights
Before an IFR flight, obtain and record a comprehensive weather briefing. This weather briefing shall include all items (applicable to the route of flight) contained in a Standard Briefing as defined in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Retain IFR flight planning weather information recorded at a Coast Guard unit for 90 days.
Fuel Reserve Requirements
Fuel reserve shall be at least that required for 45 minutes of flight after reaching the alternate.
In any case, fuel carried on departure will be at least ten percent more than that required to reach the alternate airfield via the destination.
Consider meteorological factors, mission requirements, and any known or expected traffic delays when computing fuel reserves. Addition fuel reserve requirements, in lieu of a destination alternate for remote locations, are discussed in Paragraph 3.C.9. of this Chapter.
Weight and Balance
Prior to any flight, the PIC shall ensure that a weight and balance calculation has been completed based on the actual loading of the aircraft. The PIC shall also be familiar with any anticipated evolutions during the flight that will significantly change aircraft weight and balance (e.g., evolutions involving embarkation of passengers/survivors, aerial deliveries of equipment, personnel, significant fuel burn or dumping, etc.) and comply with limitations.
Leave a copy of the completed weight and balance form with a responsible individual on the ground and file a copy with the completed flight plan, unless:
- The unit has completed a standard loading weight and balance form within the last twelve months, and the aircraft is loaded in accordance with that standard loading, or
- The aircraft is capable of recording weight and balance data on a crashworthy recorder.
Retain completed weight and balance forms for 90 days at the aircraft’s home unit. Conduct and inventory of all station aircraft in accordance with the Weight and Balance Process Guide, CGTO PG-85-00-180-A.
NOTAMs
The PIC shall be familiar with all NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for the planned route of flight.
Special Use Airspace
All flights shall adhere to 14 CFR Part 73 for entry into and operations within special use airspace.
All operations within Warning Areas shall be coordinated with the controling agency prior to entry. Two-way communications with the controlling agency shall be maintained when practicable.
Air Defense Identification Zones
The PIC is responsible for coordinating entry into and operations within Air Defense Identification Zones.
Foreign Clearance Procedures
Coast Guard aircraft shall comply with the DoD Foreign Clearance Manual. The PIC shall confirm that required foreign clearances for aircraft, cargo, and personnel have been obtained.
Customs, Agriculture, and Immigration
Commanding Officers shall ensure that all aircrews comply with applicable customs, immigration, public health, and agriculture regulations.
Flight Plans
The PIC of a Coast Guard aircraft shall file a written or computerized domestic, military, or ICAO flight plan prior to each flight, except when departing on an urgent SAR, National Defense, Law Enforcement or Homeland Security mission, a local VFR flight, or when required for operational security. The PIC is responsible for closing out any active flight plans.
File an IFR or VFR flight plan for any transit, training, or logistics missions flown outside the unit’s designated AOR. Provide a detailed route of flight and RM briefing to the designated Operations Officer or higher command authority prior to departure.
Local VFR Flights
For VFR flights scheduled to return to the flight’s point of origin, complete the Local Clearance, Mission Route Section of the Pre-Mission and Service Record within ALMIS Electronic Asset Logbook (EAL). A paper Pre-Mission and Service Record may be substituted if required due to EAL malfunctions.
En route Stops
Flights making en route stops need not file a new flight plan or local flight clearance form if all of the following criteria are met:
- Intermediate stops are entered, in order of intended landing, on the flight plan filed at the original point of departure.
- Personnel to be picked up or discharged are either noted on the original flight plan or on a current passenger manifest that is left at each intermediate stop.
- The pilot-in-command remains unchanged.
