Mission Check GK Flashcards
Definition of Formation Flight
More than 1 aircraft which, by prior arrangement between pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation & position reporting.
Separation between aircraft is responsibility of flight leader & pilots of other aircraft in the flight.
Include transition periods when aircraft within the formation are maneuvering to attain separation and during join-up and recovery.
Dimensions of Standard Formation
Proximity from flight leader maintained by each wingman:
(1) no more than 1 mile laterally or longitudinally
(2) within 100 feet vertically
Nonstandard Formation
Operates under any condition:
- when FL has requested & ATC approved other than standard formation dimensions
- when operating within an authorized altitude reservation (ALTRV) or under provisions of a letter of agreement
- when ops conducted in airspace specifically designed for special activity
Responsibilities:
Flight Lead
- ultimately responsible for safe & effective conduct of mission
- identified prior to mission
- planning, briefing, execution & debriefing
- may delegate, but retains overall responsibility
- doesn’t change during mission under normal circumstances
Responsibilities:
#1
- executing mission elements in flight
- priorities: clearing, planning & monitoring #2
- maneuver to keep formation in area
- smooth & deliberate controls
Basic priorities:
(1) clear for formation
(2) plan ahead of aicraft
(3) monitor #2
(4) navigation
(5) communication
Responsibilities:
#2
- primary: mx flight path deconfliction & proper position as directed by #1
- mutual support & max formation integrity by executing plan & accomplishing tasks assigned by #1
Basic responsibilities:
(1) Don’t hit #1
(2) Keep #1 in sight
(3) In position & on freq
(4) Clear for formation
(5) Back up #1
Collision Avoidance
1 expected to monitor #2
#2 has primary responsibility for flight path deconfliction (unless unable to maintain visual)
both 1 & 2 responsible for adequate separation
Main Contributors to Midair Collisions
- failure of #1 to properly clear or visually monitor #2 during critical phases
- failure of #2 to execute lost wingman procedures if visual lost in IMC
- failure to recognize excessive overtake
- failure to maintain lateral or vertical separation
- failure to consider effects of wingtip vortices
CS 01/02 vs. CS 1/2
CS 01/02 - all radio calls to agency outside formation
CS 1/2 - within formation
Lost Wingman:
Objective, Description & Responsibility
Objective - gain immediate separation when #2 loses sight of #1 in weather
Description - in IMC, when visual with #1 lost or unable to mx position
Responsibility - all pilots in formation must be aware of terrain & obstacles; lost wingman procedures don’t guarantee obstacle clearance
Lost Wingman:
Procedures for #1 & #2
2:
- notifies #1
- simultaneously executes lost wingman & transitions to instruments
- acknowledge #1’s radio calls
- immediately perform procedure
- acknowledge #2’s radio call & transmit altitude, heading & airspeed
- coordinates with controlling agency & requests separate clearance for #2
Lost Wingman:
Wings-Level Procedures
(Climb, Descent or Straight & Level)
- the lost wingman turns away
- 15º of bank for 15 seconds
- inform #1
- after 15 sec, #2 resumes heading & proceeds on separate clearance
Lost Wingman:
Turns
(Climb, Descent, or Level)
Outside the turn:
- lost wingman reverses direction of turn, using 15º AOB for 15 seconds
- inform #1
- after 15 sec, #2 ensures positive separation & resumes turn & obtains separate clearance
Inside the turn:
- lost wingman reduces power to ensure nose-tail separation
- tells #1 to roll-out
- #2 maintains AOB for lateral separation & proceeds on separate clearance
- #1 can resume turn only when separation ensured
Lost Wingman:
Precision & Non-Precision Final
- lost wingman momentarily turns away from #1 to ensure separation & climbs to FAF/GS intercept altitude
- # 2 proceeds to MAP, informs#1 & obtains separate approach clearance
Lost Wingman:
Missed Approach
- lost wingman momentarily turns away from #1 to ensure clearance
- calls #1
- continues to missed approach while climbing 500’ above missed approach altitude
- # 2 obtains separate clearance from approach control
Formation Departures:
Objective & Description
Objective - safely get formation airborne
Description
(1) Wing TO - most common
(2) Interval TO - driven by wind requirements
(3) Instrument Trail TO - wx doesn’t allow Wing to Interval TO (ceiling & visibility)
Formation Departures:
Wing Takeoff
- XW > 5 kts: #2 upwind
- no XW, IMC: #2 outside of 1st turn
- no XW, no IMC: #1 inside of 1st turn
- # 1 takes center of half of runway
- # 2 lines up on fingertip line, 20 feet wingtip spacing (min)
- # 1 signals brake release once #2 is ready
- # 1: 85-95% power
- # 2: power as required
- # 1 cleans up once airborne & 110 KIAS (min)
- # 2: cleans up once #1 does; perform After TO Check & assumes fingertip
Formation Departures:
Interval Takeoff
STATIC:
- after #2 signals good run-up, #1 performs max power takeoff
- after 6 sec (min), #2 performs max power takeoff
- airborne at 160 KIAS, #1 reduces power 85-95%
ROLLING:
- #1 performs max power takeoff when cleared
- as #1 on TO roll, #2 taxis to runway & performs max power takeoff
- 6 sec (min) separation
Formation Departure:
Instrument Trail Departure
- same as Wing TO through engine run-up procedures
- strictly adhere to briefed climb speeds, power settings, altitudes, headings & turn points
- spacing is no less than 20 seconds
- max power & 160 KIAS climbs & 30º AOB turns
- both call passing even-thousand altitudes
#2 delay turns/heading changes by seconds of TO delay - # 2 maintain 1,000 ft (min) altitude separation until visual
- # 2 rejoins only after visually acquiring #1 & receiving permission
