Morning Brief Slides

Question 1

Moderate icing has been reported on recovery to Valley from the VATAs between 2000 ft and 4000 ft. What are your considerations?

Answer 1

Request a Radar to Vis with continuous descent and fly a penetration descent (Idle, 20 deg ND, 250 KIAS/0.67IMN, SPDBRK Out)

Question 2

During crew in you identify a fault with the ejection seat, what actions should you ensure are carried out?

Can you take the aircraft flying?

Answer 2

Any ejection seat or escape system issues during the crew-in should be referred to an armourer/licenced engineer and photographs should be taken.

Crews should not take the aircraft without armourer/licenced engineer consultation and assurance that the aircraft is serviceable.

Question 3

You have been tasked to conduct an inverted flight check as part of loose article checks. This is being conducted during a syllabus CV event.

What restrictions apply?

Answer 3

The auth sheets should be appropriately annotated.
The min alt for an inverted flight check is 5000ft AGL/AMSL.
The instructional portion of the sortie may only continue if the nominated loose article is recovered.

Question 4

You conduct a high speed abort. You suspect you may have hot brakes, what procedure should be followed?

Answer 4

If hot brakes are suspected, aircrew should contact their company freq. to receive guidance on where to park.

Hot brakes slot is detailed in the SOPs (far end of the SeaHawk ASP on the brick weave surface).

The aircraft should be chocked in-situ with the parking brake off.

Question 5

You are conducting a visual recovery at the end of a solo singleton sortie. You plan on conducting a VRIAB and on reporting Initial you are informed that there are 3 aircraft in the circuit. How does this affect you?

Answer 5

Solo trainees should only carry out a VRIAB when there are a max of 2 other aircraft in the circuit (and both must be visually acquired before the break).

Therefore, fly a normal join or SIA.

Question 6

As a solo trainee, what avoidance should you provide against a Helicopter Royal Flight?

Answer 6

Remain at least 10nm laterally clear from the Royal helicopter’s intended track and at least 3000ft above it’s maximum planned cruise altitude.

Question 7

You are transiting to the IOM training areas at FL70 and identify ice build up on the leading edges. You clear the icing conditions.

Who, what and when should you report?

Answer 7

Report as soon as practical to ATC.

You should report:
- Type of icing and severity
- Position
- Height band where the icing occurred

Question 8

You have warned out for a LL South departure to enter LL on the Llyn Peninsula. Valley is operating on rwy 01.

How do you fly the departure?

What service do you expect from ATC?

Answer 8

For rwy 01, aircraft should depart downwind and remain clear of the approach lane.

Cross the coast at 1000ft QFE (and as perpendicular as possible).

Descend and remain at or below 500ft QFE until Radar has reported “no instrument or recovering traffic to affect”.

Aircraft should not climb above 1000ft until positively clear of any traffic.

ATC will provide a BS.

Question 9

You are cleared to “line up only” due to a departing Juno crossing the active rwy.

They are departing via East Gate for the MFTA. What height are you expecting the Juno to transit at?

In what situation would you expect to receive traffic information on the departing Juno?

Answer 9

Rotary wing departures to East Gate are flown at 250ft QFE and then not above 500ft QFE.

ATC should advise Fixed Wing aircraft departing LL S of any known rotary traffic operations.

Question 10

As a solo trainee you have flown three consecutive circuits on rwy 31 and would like to depart to initial, what profile should you fly?

Answer 10

Due to the potential conflict with Mona visual circuit traffic, aircraft should depart left hand over the bay.

Question 11

Landing away at a Civil Airfield how should you pay for fuel and is any record required?

Answer 11

A Fuel Card should be used, on return to Valley the transaction should be recorded on a F6840 and any receipts or supporting documentation attached.

Question 12

In the descent, at what intervals should the HUD and head-down/PFD be cross checked?

Answer 12

Above 10,000ft - Every 5,000ft
<10,000ft, >5,000ft - Every 2,000ft
Below 5,000ft - Every 1,000ft

The cross check includes altimeters and the audible readout:

“5000, descending, 2000”, etc

Question 13

When low flying how is the RAD Alt set relative to MSD and could you continue to low fly if the RAD Alt failed during the sortie?

Answer 13

The RAD Alt is set at 10% below the authorised MSD (e.g. 225ft for 250ft MSD).

You can low fly without a serviceable RAD Alt using only a visual assessment of MSD (not Solo).

Question 14

Can you get airborne with a U/S Flight Data Recorder (FDR)?

Answer 14

Routinely no, the DDH can approve by exception.

Question 15

You run in to bad weather of a LL nav sortie and have to to carry out an Emergency Low Level Abort and are going to penetrate CAS prior to reaching SALT, what are your considerations?

Answer 15

Squawk Emergency once safely established in the climb and call for assistance on Guard UHF as soon as practicable.

Question 16

You’re asked to confirm PEDs are turned OFF at the out-brief, what common items are classed as PEDs?

Answer 16

Mobile phones, smart watches and tablets are all considered PEDs whether operating in ‘Flight Mode’ or not.

Question 17

All departures should maintain runway track and climb to a minimum of what height prior to turning?

Answer 17

500 ft QFE

Note - Some MIDs have an additional DME restriction

Question 18

Aircraft should not overfly Rhosneigr unless above what height?

Answer 18

2000ft QFE

Question 19

You are departing Mona runway 22 to recover to Valley runway 31. You are unable to get quick comms with ATC due to other traffic joining Valley, where should you position your aircraft?

Answer 19

If traffic information is not received before 1nm to the railway line or there is conflicting traffic information, turn onto a heading of 140 deg. to ensure seperation.

Question 20

Recovering to Valley under ‘own navigation’, below what height should any villages on Anglesey be avoided and are there any speed restrictions?

Answer 20

All aircrew should avoid overflight of villages on Anglesey below 2000ft AGL.

Speed limit only for Hawk.

Question 21

You have made your Final Turn call and received ‘cleared to high approach, one’ from ATC. How far can you take the approach?

Answer 21

A clearance to high approach is NOT BELOW 150ft QFE - must anticipate and action the go-around earlier in order not to pass through this height.

Question 22

With a pair on the runway for departure you are given the call ‘line up and wait in turn’. When can you enter the runway?

Answer 22

You can enter the runway when the aircraft ahead has vacated the threshold and await clearance for take-off.

Question 23

You spot an unexpected drone on the Mona-Valley transit, who should you report this to?

Answer 23

Valley ATC are the most suitable unit, ideally report a Lat/Long but a recognisable ground feature and height is sufficient.

Question 24

By night, what are the wind limits for trainee flying?

Answer 24

Surface wind steady state exceeds 30kts or gusts exceeding 35kts.

Question 25

Tactical flying prohibited in LFA 11, what are the limits for 4FTS aircraft?

Answer 25

Singleton IP-Tgt runs with no attack symbology or simulated weaponeering.

Formation navigation in Ftg Wg only.

Question 26

You are conducting a BINGO recovery from the Lake District. Valley is rwy 31RH, IRMs and you are experiencing higher than forecast headwind. You calculate that you will require a short pattern GCA to land above FOG.

Valley ATC inform you that you are number 2 in the pattern to another minimum fuel aircraft and are unable to provide a short pattern GCA.

You declare a PAN, what should you consider doing?

Answer 26

PAN for fuel. If an aircraft is operating in the RAF Valley or Mona visual circuit/instrument pattern and due to an unforseen event i.e. go around, it is estimated that the aircraft will land below the minimum fuel to divert, aircrew can declare “PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN - Fuel”. This call should be made to ATC as soon as possible and ATC should provide the most expeditious priority recovery and sterilise the rwy if possible.

If the rwy sterilisation is likely to result in other aircraft landing at/below their own minima, then the emergency aircraft should be instructed to divert immediately.

Question 27

SALT can be calculated for a route leg, several areas of a route or a blanket highest SALT for the entirety. Routinely, what is the minimum range from the planned track you identify the highest obstacle?

Answer 27

30nm

Question 28

You are conducting an IRT profile. The weather at Valley has deteriorated such that the reported visibility is less than the published approach minima.

Can you conduct training approaches at Valley?

Answer 28

Yes - approaches must be flown to missed approach/go around irrespective of the vis or RVR, however you cannot approach to land.

Question 29

During climb out from RAF Valley, you experience an aileron control restriction. The aircraft is recovered safely, what are your follow up considerations?

Answer 29

Report the event on the company freq. after landing.

After shut-down, debrief the groundcrew to ensure the post flight servicing is not started.

Debrief the occurrence with an SME engineer.

Raise a fault and declare the aircraft U/S.

Report the occurrence as part of the in-brief and subsequently to the ASMT via a DASOR.

Ensure digital cockpit recordings are preserved.

Question 30

It is flying phase 5, with cloud reported base 4,000ft and tops 10,000ft. You are solo and currently unrated, are you permitted to transit the cloud layer to conduct medium level handling?

What restrictions apply?

Answer 30

No, you cannot transit unless the adv. instrument test has been completed and a rating awarded.

Max cloud penetration 5000ft (as long as none of this IF takes place below the radar vector chart).

Question 31

The weather at Valley is clear with excellent visibility. You decide you would like to conduct a VFR departure to ML, can you?

Answer 31

No.

In order to ensure safe deconfliction between departing and recovering traffic, all non-low level departing traffic should be IFR, requesting either a TS or DS on initial contact with Radar.

Question 32

What is the difference between Radar to Visual and Radar to Initial?

What height are ATC permitted to descend you and what restrictions apply?

Answer 32

Radar to Initial - ATC should provide vectors to initial for the runway in use

Radar to Visual - ATC should provide vectors to achieve VMC by the most EXPEDIENT means

Height - ATC will descend you to the limits of the SMAC (Surveillance Minimum Altitude Chart) including the Final Approach Vectoring Altitude (FAVA) at Valley.

For Mona with no FAVA, ATC can on request descend aircraft 500ft below the SMAC when within 10nm, providing a TS only.

Question 33

You are conducting an ILS against the stream, what two options are available?

Answer 33

The Point X-RAY procedure terminating at 2300ft QFE or 6 DME.

Standard ILS approach monitored by ATC, noting the approach end barrier shall be selected down but not isolated.

Question 34

You are conducting a recovery from the A5 pass. When should you begin your climb out of the A5 pass and to what height?

Answer 34

Start to climb before reaching the quarry by Bethesda.

The Menai Strait should be crossed at or above 2500ft Valley QFE, unless forced lower by weather.

Question 35

You are recovering VFR to rwy 31RH from the south and have been made aware of a rotary recovery via Cable Bay. Where is this and at what height do you expect the traffic to be?

Answer 35

Cable bay is SE of Rhosneigr.

Rotary recovering via Cable Bay should not be above 250ft, unless ATC advised.

Question 36

Valley weather is OVC 1500ft, you are conducting a visual recovery having exited LL at the Llyn Peninsular. What height should you climb to initially.

You are made aware of instrument traffic currently on Valley Talkdown to rwy 31RH conducting a TACAN approach. What considerations should you apply when positioning for your visual join?

Answer 36

Once inside 15 DME, low level recoveries from the south should remain at 1000ft QFE.

Visual joining aircraft shall be responsible for ensuring sufficient and safe separation from other traffic.

Caution - TACAN traffic is offset to the deadside on all runways, be wary of crossing the approach lane when positioning for initial.

Question 37

There are 3 aircraft in the circuit. You are recovering a 2-ship for a VRIAB. Can you join the circuit? What limitations apply?

Answer 37

Yes.

The maximum number of aircraft or speaking units (a formation of up to 3 aircraft) shall be 3, with one extra permitted providing it is joining to land, or is departing.

Therefore, your VRIAB must be to land.

Question 38

You are required to depart the visual circuit and re-join through Initial.

When do you declare this to ATC?

What routing should you take to initial?

Answer 38

Aircraft commanders should declare their intention to rejoin through initial during the UPWIND climb.

Rwy 13/19/01 - Aircraft should remain at 1000ft QFE and follow the normal circuit direction, remaining well clear of other downwind traffic.

Rwy 31 - To avoid the Mona visual circuit, aircraft should route LEFT HAND over the sea, avoiding Rhosneigr.

Question 39

You are cleared to land behind a Hawk T2, which side of the rwy should both aircraft initially move to?

Answer 39

If multiple types are landing in turn, aircrew should move over to their company side of the runway.

Question 40

You break in to the circuit having declared “minimum fuel”. You are notified of instrument traffic a 4nm. Who has priority?

How would this differ if the instrument traffic was inside 2nm?

Answer 40

4nm = You have priority. Order is:

1. Emergencies
2. Min fuel
3. Flight checking
4. Instrument traffic
5. SIAs
6. Departures
7. Visual cct traffic
8. PFLs
9. PEFATOs

Instrument traffic receives clearance by 2nm, therefore inside 2nm the traffic will already have received its clearance and will be on ‘final’. If it is this close, it should have landed by the time you turn final.

Question 41

You are recovering to Mona for circuit pratice. You are requested to conduct a wheels-up approach for controller training. Can you?

Answer 41

No, practice wheels-up approaches for controller training can only be conducted when pre-briefed.

Question 42

You turn downwind for a LL cct and ATC inform you of one rotary on the Golf Course. What are the maximum heights for rotary aircraft using the Golf Course area?

Answer 42

250ft QFE

Tower should inform any aircraft flying a LL cct of any rotary traffic on the golf course; all such rotary traffic should remain below 250ft QFE.

If rotary ops extend above 250ft QFE, ATC should restrict the height of fixed wing breaks and circuits to 1000ft QFE.

Question 43

You pre-note ATC for a Mona-Valley transit. What height should you conduct the transit at?

When can you deviate from this height?

Answer 43

Texan - 1000ft QFE
Hawk - 1500ft QFE

Deviation from this routing and heights (including recovery via a SIA) is only permitted with ATC approval and should be pre-noted prior to departure.

Question 44

You are recovering to rwy 13 at Valley for a visual recovery.

Approaching Holyhead Mountain you have a TCAS contact with no height displayed. ATC inform you that this is a helicopter conducting cliff winching practice.

What is the maximum height of rotary in the winching area?

Answer 44

VFR - 500ft Valley QFE

Question 45

Rwy 19RH is in use, you are conducting a visual recovery and have been informed that the RIFA (Rotary Instrument Flying Area). What height are you permitted to overfly the RIFA at?

Answer 45

2000ft QFE when rwy 19RH in use, 2500ft QFE for all other rwys.

Upper limit of the RIFA is 2000ft QFE (1500ft QFE for rwy 19RH).

Question 46

Swanick are unable to accept you for a radar service, you elect to remain with Valley Radar. What are the vertical and lateral limits of your radar service?

You are required to operate outside of this range, what other units may be able to provide you with a radar service?

Answer 46

Valley Radar can provide a service to aircraft operating within 40nm and up to FL260.

Warton ATC (IOM areas and NWMTA)
Aberporth ATC (limited coverage, Western VATAs)

Question 47

You have been allocated GH X-ray, what limitations apply?

Answer 47

Restricted vertically from 3,000ft to 10,000ft AMSL. The base may be raised by ATC when the RIFA is active.

Texan only may manoeuvre unrestricted in the vertical where GH X-ray sits under CAS with a base of FL145.

Question 48

You have warned out to depart Valley for a handover to Warton to conduct a pre-booked PD. You are cleared to depart via Point Bravo.

Where is Point Bravo?

Answer 48

VYL 055/30 - Follow MID East initially.

Question 49

You are conducting a PD to Liverpool for an ILS onto rwy 27.

What noise abatement restrictions apply?

Answer 49

Rwy 27 - Do not carry out a missed approach at DH (for practice) due to noise sensitive areas on the final approach. Aircrew should carry out a low approach.

Question 50

Under what circumstances does the FOB allow aircraft commanders to deselect TCAS TA?

Answer 50

During high energy manoeuvring if the aircraft commander considers it to be degrading overall SA.

A solo student operating in formation and when specifically briefed to reduce cockpit workload.

Formation wingmen operating in a standard formation.

When in the visual circuit if the aircraft commander deems it to be a distraction.

When conducting weapons training within the confines of a range danger area if the aircraft commander deems it to be a distraction.

Question 51

You have conducted a normal take-off, as you accelerate you begin to experience airframe vibration.

What are your actions?

Answer 51

IAS should be reduced and the aircraft recovered to Valley for engineering inspection.

A visual inspection should be carried out if possible, but the aircraft carrying out the inspection should not position directly behind.

Carry out a low speed handling check/controllability check, minimise ground track and remain clear of all populated areas (over the bay is a good location).

Question 52

You have suffered an intercom failure. What procedure should be adopted for positively handing over control of the aircraft.

Answer 52

Rear seat takes by moving CC side to side.

Front cockpit takes by moving CC fore and aft.

Maintain control until positive control is taken by the other occupant.

Question 53

You are solo, you conduct your final landing which you perceive as ‘heavy’ with an uncontrollable bounce. You correctly elect to go-around.

What are your follow up actions?

Answer 53

Leaving the landing gear and flaps down (maintain below 150 KIAS).

Attempt a further final landing.

Once the aircraft has been safely brought to a halt, make an assessment of whether the aircraft is safe to be taxied back or will be shutdown clear of the runway.

Inform the engineers and raise an aircraft fault. Consider a DASOR.