CNAF M-3710.7 Flashcards
Official Title of CNAF M-3710.7
NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instructions Manual
Purpose
This manual prescribes general flight and operating instructions and procedures applicable to the operation of all naval aircraft and related activities. This manual is not intended to cover every contingency that may arise and every rule of safety and good practice.
FAR Exemptions
Naval aircraft shall be operated in accordance with applicable provisions of FAR, Part 91, except:
- Where CNAF prescribes more stringent requirements.
- Where exemptions or authorizations issued to Department of the Navy/DOD permit deviation from FAR.
Exemptions that apply to MH-60R:
- VFR Cruising Altitude
- IFR Cruising Altitude or FL
- Aircraft Lighting
- Allows flight at altitudes other than prescribed in section 91.159(a) while engaged in drug interdiction operations
- Only to the extent necessary to obtain positive ID of a suspect aircraft and maintain visual contact with that aircraft
- Provided the aircraft has a dedicated on-board observer (other than pilot) to watch for other air traffic, and the aircraft has an operating transponder with Mode C
- Exemption from altitudes to be maintained in uncontrolled airspace to conduct MTRs
- Exemption to DOD aircraft in drug interdiction operations provided they have an onboard observer plus an additional resource to detect all aircraft operating in the vicinity
Alternate Airport Requirements
Destination Weather ETA +/- 1 hour –
Alternate Weather ETA +/- 1 hour
- 0-0 up to but not including published minimums –
3000-3 - Published mins but not up to 3000-3 (single-pilot helo absolute mins 200-1/4) –
Non Precision: mins + 300-1
Precision: mins + 200-1/2 - 3000-3 or better –
no alternate required
If alternate is required, it shall have the published approach compatible with installed operable aircraft navigation equipment that can be flown without the use of two-way radio communication whenever either:
a) destination lacks the above approach (i.e. only PAR)
b) weather at the alternate is below 3000-3 +/- 1 hour of ETA
Flight Authorization for Emergency and Humanitarian Operations
Naval aircraft operations are authorized in emergency such as forest fires, search, rescue, major calamities, and for humanitarian reasons involving life-threatening circumstances.
Notification of the operation shall be made to CNO or CMC as appropriate and the responsible local commander BUT without delaying action when time is an essential factor
Squadron commanders and OICs will operate under the direction of assigned JTF commanders per combatant commander policy/guidance
Nonessential Flights
Use of aircraft for nonessential flights shall not be authorized. Any flight open to misinterpretation by the public shall be avoided. To include:
- Flights of routine business nature for which commercial or other military transportation could be more economically suited.
- Flights for an officer or group of officers for the sole purpose of which is the convenience and/or prestige of the officers concerned and no t the performance of official business or accomplishment of bona fide training.
- Repeated flights to the hometown area of flight personnel concerned.
- Flights coinciding with major sports events or civic celebrations.
Flight Schedule
- Who approves
- Includes:
- Shall be approved by reporting custodian authority or commander exercising operational control.
- Includes:
- Name/flight function of all flight personnel
- Designate PIC/mission commander, form lead as required
- CoC for form flights in case lead drops out
- Aircraft model
- TMR codes
- Point of departure/destination and any en-route stopover points
- Date/ETD
- ETE or ETA
Taxiing Restriction
No one shall be permitted to taxi in a helicopter except those persons who are authorized to fly helicopters.
Civilian Airfields
Naval aircraft are permitted to operate at civilian airfields listed in the DOD Enroute Supplement when operations contribute to mission accomplishment, add value to training, or are otherwise in the interest of the government and taxpayers.
Remain Overnight (RON)
Civilian airfields shall not be used for RON unless required for mission accomplishment, in such cases approval from wing/group commander is required.
RON is authorized if required for aircraft maintenance or following an emergency divert.
Authorized Airfields and Landing Areas for Training
- Commanding officers, wing/group commanders and base commanders may designate airfields or landing areas for routine training
- Local area flight plans need not specifically indicate planned operations at these facilities
- Unit or local commanders shall ensure that standardized procedures, course rules and guidance are set forth to ensure safe operations
Airfield Operations Outside Published Hours / Closed Tower Ops
Commanding officers of airfields are authorized to extend airfield operating hours beyond those published in the airport facility directory without opening the control tower.
Naval aircraft are permitted to operate from a closed control tower airfield when both the aircraft reporting custodian (unit commander) and commanding officer of the airfield have specifically authorized such operations.
Naval aircraft are permitted to operate from a closed tower airfield without the crash crew being present with concurrence of the reporting custodian and commanding officer of the airfield
Closed Airfields
All naval aircraft are prohibited from taking off or landing at closed airfield except in case of an emergency
Other-than-Airfield Landing Areas (MSL)
- A MILITARY requirement exists for such a landing
- Adequate SAFEGUARDS are taken to permit safe landing and takeoff operations without hazard to people or property
- No LEGAL objections to landing at such non-airfield sites
* NOTE* CO can waive the provisions when the helicopter is engaged in SAR operations
Autorotation Requirements
Practice autos shall be conducted:
- within the limits of the field boundary over a surface upon which a full autorotation can be safely completed
- that is readily accessible to crash, rescue and firefighting equipment
- practice autos shall require specific approval of the tower
Position Lights
Shall be displayed during the period 30 min before official sunset until 30 min after official sunrise or at any time when prevailing visibility as seen from the cockpit is less than 3 statute miles.
Shall be displayed when:
1. Immediately before engine start and anytime the engine is running.
- When the aircraft is being towed unless the aircraft is otherwise illuminated.
- When an aircraft is parked and likely to cause a hazard unless otherwise illuminated or marked with obstruction lights.
Anti-Collision Lights
Shall be used immediately before engine start and at all times when the aircraft engine(s) are in operation, except when the use of such lights adversely affects ground operations (e.g. during arming/dearming, refueling, etc.).
May be turned off during flight through clouds when the rotating light reflects into the cockpit.
Landing/Taxi Lights
Should be used for all taxi movements ashore during hours of darkness unless a taxi signalman is directing the aircraft.
Use of these lights during landing approaches (day and night) in Class B, C, and D airspace is recommended when meteorological conditions permit.
Orientations Flights
Typically one time events for selected participants in a particular model aircraft. Shall not be used to circumvent normal training requirements for individuals required to fly multiple flights in naval aircraft.
Orientation flights for midshipmen participating in official training programs are an exception and may involve multiple flights.
Standalone events that are specifically authorized, sanctioned and planned to accomplish the following:
1. Familiarize them with an aircraft, its operation, capabilities, requirements, concept of employment or limitations.
- Familiarize them with a base or complex from the air for official purposes other than merely sightseeing or goodwill.
- Allow FAA personnel to perform official functions that require their infrequent embarkation on naval aircraft.
- Perform other military duties not assigned to the flight crew.
Safety Belts
Shall be worn and tightened prior to takeoff and shall be worn until completion of the flight except when necessary activities require temporary removal.
Inertial reels shall be manually locked for takeoff and landings except where the procedure is detrimental to safety/safe operation.
Number of pax over 2 years of age embarked on naval aircraft shall be restricted to the number for which there are adequate seats and safety belts.
During takeoffs, landings and at other times specified by PIC, each person over 2 years shall occupy a seat or berth and be secured with the safety belt provided for that purpose.
Cabin Seating
Seating may be eliminated when operational environment or aircraft configuration/load requirements dictate for the accomplishment of essential training and operations with following guidelines:
1. SPECOPS training and missions.
- Dedicated lifesaving efforts, including humanitarian and SAR operations.
- Not to be used for routine operational training or personnel transfers (applies only when tactical or procedural requirements exist for a specific mission or exercise.
- When seats are removed, pax will be restrained by an appropriate alternate means.
- If mission profile requires removal of seats/seatbelts/restraints for one part of the mission, then pax will, if possible, use seats/belts/restraints for all other phases of the mission.