Chapter 4 - Flight Authorization planning and approval

Question 1

Authorization for flight-

Answer 1

Shall be documented by a published flight schedule or similar directive signed by CO’s with:
Names and flight function
Designation of PIC, MC, or Formation leader
Chain of command for formation flights
Aircraft model assigned
Total mission or requirement code
Point of departure, destination, and enroute stopover points
Date and ETD
ETE

For missions such as strip, SAR alert, be assigned TBA may be entered for ETD and ETE

Question 2

Aircraft Commander Requirement

Answer 2

Shall be designated for the following missions
1. Operational/tactical missions
2. Administrative missions in helicopters
3. Training flights, except those that are within the capabilities of pilots of lower classification and which in the opinion of the commanding officer, are best suited to teach such pilots self-reliance and command responsibility.
4. Flights in which the transport of passengers is involved.

Question 3

Rescue Helicopters operating over water

Answer 3

Any naval helicopter that is assigned the primary mission to operate as rescue vehicle over water:

Shall have as a member of its crew one aircrewman who is completely outfitted for water entry and has completed an approved CNO/CMC rescue swimmers school.

When SAR/plane guard, the rescue aircrewman shall be prepared for immediate water entry.

Question 4

Preflight Planning

Answer 4

The PIC shall be familiar with all available information appropriate to the intended operation.
Delays
Risk Assessment
Alternate
Fuel
Terminal Approach
TFRs
NOTAMs
Weather

Question 5

Civilian Airfields

Answer 5

Naval aircraft are permitted to operate at civilian airfields listed in the DoD Enroute Supp or appropriate FAA publication, when such operations contribute to mission accomplishment, add value to training, or are otherwise in the interest of the government and tax payer.

PICs shall ensure they are familiar with any special procedures, practices, or rules that apply at the civilian airfield.

PIC shall ensure that runway length, and runway and taxi load bearing capabilities are adequate.

Question 6

Security

Answer 6

Unit commanders shall ensure that appropriate security and force protection plans can be implemented whenever an aircraft is left unattended away from its home field.

Question 7

Helicopter Landing Areas

Answer 7

Helicopters are authorized to land at other than airfield locations provided
1. A military requirement exists
2. Adequate safeguards are taken to permit safe landing and takeoff operations without hazard to people or property.
3. There are no legal objections to landing at such nonairfield sites.

Note- COs are authorized to waive the provisions when aircraft is engaged in SAR operations.

Question 8

Airfield Outside Published/Closed Tower Ops

Answer 8

1. Commanding officers of airfields are authorized to extend airfiled operating hours beyond those published without opening the control tower.
2. Naval aircraft are permitted to operate from a closed control tower airfield when both the aircraft reporting custodian and CO of the airfield have specifically authorized such operations.
3. Naval aircraft are permitted to operate from a closed control tower airfield without the crash crew being present with concurrence of the reporting custodian and the commanding officer of the airfield.

Question 9

Closed Airfields

Answer 9

All naval aircraft are prohibited from taking off or landing at closed airfields except in the case of emergency.

Question 10

Flight Plans

Answer 10

A flight plan appropriate for the intended operation shall be submitted for all flights of naval aircraft except the following:
1. Flights of operational necessity
2. Student training flights under the cognizance of CNATRA conducted within authorized training areas

Question 11

Flight Planning Forms

Answer 11

1. DD-1801 completed in accordance with FLIP general planning
2. Authorized 3rd part applications
3. A daily flight schedule (for stereo routes, conducted in the local flying area or adjacent offshore operating areas)
4. FAA flight plan FAA 7233-4
5. Flight plan form specified by the local authorities

Question 12

Submission of the flight plan

Answer 12

The PIC/formation leader is responsible for:
Safe and orderly conduct of the flight
Weather briefing has been received
Instrument ratings
Manifested Passengers
Weight and balance have been filed
Requirements for fuel and weather
Authorized
Planning data including NOTAMS

Daily flight schedule signed by CO signifies the items shall be complete.

Question 13

Manifesting Requirements

Answer 13

The PIC shall ensure a copy of the manifest is on file with a responsible agency at the point of departure prior to takeoff.

Question 14

Flight Weather Briefing

Answer 14

For flights where any portion of the intended route is forecast to be IMC, naval aviators shall obtain a flight route weather brief.
1. Primary method is FWB
2. 1-888-PILOTWX
3. Commercial weather forecasting service may be utilized
a. utilize ICAO approved aviation weather
b. Comply with ICASO, FAA, FAR requirements

Question 15

Weather Criteria for filing

Answer 15

Flight plans shall be filed based on:
1. The actual weather at the point of departure at the time of clearance.
2. The existing and forecast weather for the entire route of flight
3. Destination and alternate forecasts for a period 1 hour before ETA until 1 hour after ETA

Question 16

IFR flight plans

Answer 16

Regardless of weather, IFR flight plans shall be filed and flown whenever practicable as a means of reducing midair collision potential.

Question 17

IFR Planning Weather Criteria

Answer 17

Question 18

Alternate Airfield

Answer 18

An alternate is required when weather at the destination is forecast to be less than 3000 - 3 during the period 1 hour before ETA until 1 hour after ETA.

If an alternate airfield is required, it shall have a published approach compatible with installed operable aircraft navigation equipment that can be flown without the use of two-way radio communication whenever:
1. The destination lacks the above approach,
2. Forecast weather at the alternate is below 3000-3 during the period 1 hour before ETA until 1 hour after ETA.

Question 19

Icing and Thunderstorm

Answer 19

Flights shall be planned to circumvent areas of forecast atmospheric icing and thunderstorms whenever practicable.

Question 20

Severer Weather Watch

Answer 20

Severe Storm Prediction Center, Norman OK. Weather Watch

WW are issued for areas where conditons are favorable for development of severe weather.

Except for operational necessity, emergencies and flights involving all-weather research projects or weather reconnaissance, pilots shall not file into or through areas of a WW except:
1. Storm development has not progressed as forecast.
a. VFR filing is permitted if exisiting weather permits
b. IFR may be permitted if aircraft radar is installed and operative, thus permitting avoidance of isolated thunderstorms
c. IFR is permissible in controlled airspace if VMC can be maintained
2. Performance characteristic of the aircraft permit an en route flight altitude above existing or developing severe storms.

Question 21

Minimum Fuel Requirements

Answer 21

If alternate is not required, fuel to fly from takeoff to destination plus a reserve of 10% of planned fuel requirement.
If alternate is required, fuel to fly from takeoff to the approach fix serving destination, thence to an alternate airfield plus a reserve of 10% of planned fuel requirements.
3. In no case shall the planned fuel reserve after final landing at destination or alternate, if one is required, be less than 20 minutes of flight
c. For turbine powered helicopters. Compute fuel consumption based on operation at planned flight altitude.

Question 22

Closing of Flight Plan

Answer 22

It is the responsibility of the PIC/formation leader to ensure that the proper agency is notified of flight termination.

Military Installation - the pilot shall verbally confirm the closing of the flight plan with tower or base operations

Nonmilitary Installations - Pilots shall close the flightplan with flight service through any means of communication available.