MP Nav Airborne Techniques

Question 1

What mode must weapon loading be completed in?

Answer 1

Nav

It is unavailable in A-G Master Mode

Question 2

What format will the PUSH time be and what should you do at this time?

Answer 2

Zulu time

Call a “hack” to the formation and start the CHRONO - gives an easily understandable TEL as you pass over the PUSH point

Question 3

What checks need to be carried out en route to the HOLD and how are they initiated?

Answer 3

Fence checks

Lead initiates by calling “Callsign, Fence In”

Question 4

What should you do once you arrive at the HOLD?

Answer 4

Ensure steering towards the PUSH in MANUAL

Establish how long you have to wait (use TTG on the TSD)

Set up an orbit, direction of your choice, maintaining 210KIAS/0.38M

4 minute hold plan, 1 min each leg and 1 min each turn

Question 5

How is the HOLD flown as a pair?

Answer 5

Fighting wing

Allows the lead plenty of flexibility to manoeuvre as req. to make the PUSH time

Question 6

What should you do if you are IMC as you approach the hold?

Answer 6

Remain in echelon with only the lead executing the MALB.

As lead, you will now be less manoeuvrable with a wingman in echelon IMC. Harder to achieve accurate PUSH time - can correct some timing errors once VMC below

Question 7

What should you do if you are <3 minutes late at the HOLD?

Answer 7

Reduce size/radius of the hold to regain timeline

Question 8

What should you do if you are 3-4 minutes late at the HOLD?

Answer 8

Flow directly to the PUSH

Should still be inside allocated window - consider adjustments of heading to make timing corrections if required

Question 9

What should you do if you are >4 minutes late at the hold?

Answer 9

Adjustments to track will be required to make up time post the PUSH.

If not possible, request a ‘ROLEX’ from MAGIC. Keep it simple and ask for ‘whole minutes’ of ROLEX and preferably a 5 or 10 minute ROLEX. If early, it is possible to request a ‘-5 minute’ ROLEX.

Question 10

What is the speed bracket for MALB in the Texan?

Answer 10

M0.40 +/-0.02

Question 11

What are the pre-attack checks for MALB?

Answer 11

Steering - To target (check expected WPT at top of TSD) and DESIGNATE

Master Mode - Select A-G (rock back MM switch to BMB CCRP). Check TE in the HUD

Programme

MAS - At SIM

Question 12

What programme is set for MALB during the SMPM pre attack checks?

Answer 12

S-MODE CCRP

QTY 2 (2 bombs dropped at pickle)

MULT 2 (both bombs drop at the same time)

INT N/A

DRAG FF (select MK82 during gnd programming)

MFUZ N+T

EFUZ OFF

Question 13

How is a MALB attack flown in the Texan?

Answer 13

Leave the IP, steering to the target at M0.40 +/-0.02 (M0.38-M0.42)

SMPM checks

Maintain FPM on the horizon to maintain level. Monitor and adjust FPM L/R to ensure that the Azimuth Steering Line (ASL) passes through the FPM (allows compensation for crosswind)

Scan FPM and ASL, making small adjustments L/R as req.

Time to Release (TTR) is displayed above the range to target info in the HUD. Monitor TTR and at 10 seconds to go ‘press and hold’ the bomb release pushbutton (a ‘P’ should appear in the top left of the HUD)

Approaching weapons release point, the solution cue will move down the ASL towards the FPM. When the release cue contacts the FPM the weapons will be released. The TTR symbology will revert to TTI (Time to Impact).

At simulated weapon release, select MAS to SAFE, and at simulated weapons impact complete post attack checks.

Question 14

What are the post attack checks?

Answer 14

Master Mode - NAV
MAS - SAFE

Question 15

How is a Show of Force (SHoF) flown in the Texan?

Answer 15

Leave the IP steering to the target

Complete pre-attack checks (split up with lookout):

Steering - To TARGET (check WPT at top of TSD) and DESIGNATE. Must undesignate the IP or range and target elevation (TE) in the HUD will remain tied to the UP, despite FMS steering to the target.

Master Mode - A-G
Programme - N/A
MAS - SAFE

Monitor and adjust FP as req. to ensure you will directly overfly the target. Position HUD FPM above the target area.

Fine tune positioning, using big, then medium, then small features.

Once stable and within 5-10 secs to run, scan FP, target, FP, target. Small adjustments as req.

FPM must remain level during the run (not descending on to target) - react to PGCAS in the normal way

Post target - once S&L and steering to next WPT (TSAT done + un-designate TGT), ensure MAS SAFE, complete a lookout scan, then post attack checks (MM)

Question 16

How is an In-Line Pop Strafe attack flown in Texan up to firing the gun?

Answer 16

IP-TGT as normal until approx. 60 secs to go - SMPM checks

60 secs to go - prioritise target lookout in canopy arch to acquire big features in the target area

45 secs to go (3nm) - Check TCAS and clear FP above (incl. behind canopy arch)

2.3nm (PUP) - Pull to 10 degrees NU

Maintain heading carat over the elongated diamond - scan now is:
LOOKOUT - RADALT - FPM - STEERING

1200ft RADALT (do not anticipate/go early) - Smoothly lower nose to put FPM 10 deg. ND

Look around the FPM for the briefed features in target area and fine tune - fly gun reticule on to the target

Scan now is:
DIVE ANGLE - SPEED - RANGE - RADALT
Confirm TD diamond is near the target

Check FPM >8 deg. ND and <12deg. ND in HUD. If outside these parameters, abort the attack and recover to S&L.

Stable with target within gun sight and in range - squeeze trigger and hold for a 2 sec burst

Release trigger and recover to S&L

Question 17

Name 6 reasons you would immediately recover to S&L using 4g or the SS during a strafe attack

Answer 17

R400ft is reached

Break X, LHW, PGCAS or OWC activated

FPM dive angle outside 8-12 deg. ND

Speed is outside of 210-250KIAS

Attack feels wrong

Told to by QFI

Question 18

Why must target elevation (TE) be checked prior to any dive attack, and what should you do if it is incorrect?

Answer 18

If TE is lower than the actual height of ground at the target, the use of HUD dive attack symbology could result in an unsafe attack.

If incorrect, the attack should be discontinued

Question 19

If cloud is entered at any point during a strafe attack, what actions should you take?

Answer 19

Convert to the PFD and carry out a LL abort without hesitation

Question 20

What actions should be taken post strafe attack?

Answer 20

Once S&L and steering to the next WPT, select MAS to SAFE and continue the lookout scan.

After one complete lookout scan, carry out the post-attack checks (M2):

Master Mode - NAV
MAS - to SAFE (confirm)

Press the designate button as part of the TSAT for the next waypoint to un-designate the WPTs, otherwise the HUD steering information will remain tied to the previous target.

Question 21

What is the apex an in-line/’pop’ attack?

Answer 21

1200ft AGL

Question 22

What are the 3 weather decision options for an in-line/’pop’ attack?

Answer 22

1 - Beautiful weather >5k vis, no cloud <1700ft AGL - Continue as planned

2 - Overcast/significant cloud layer perceived =/<1700ft AGL - Continue as a level SHoF and remain at low level to overfly the target thus retaining ground track/timeline

3 - Overcast or significant cloud layer which may be at 1000ft AGL or higher - Maintain a +ve attitude and continue the attack with the intention of flying the STRAFE profile. Be prepared to convert the attack to a level fly through of the target if the weather is deemed unfit between the IP and target.
If cloud encountered during the climb, convert to the PFD and immediately carry out a LL abort.

Question 23

Upon leaving the IP for a strafe attack you see a TCAS contact in the vicinity of the PUP and TGT area. You cannot visually acquire the conflict, what actions should you take?

Answer 23

Remain level and flow through the target area, do not pull up for the attack with unsighted traffic in the area.

Question 24

When should you start the SMPM checks for a strafe attack?

Answer 24

Immediately after leaving the IP.

Split in to chunks with good lookout (incl. TCAS) between checks.

Question 25

If a re-attack is decided upon, what checks must be completed as you turn to re-position?

Answer 25

M2 post-attack checks:

Mode - Nav
MAS - SAFE

Do NOT un-designate the target or the FMS will eat the waypoint and you will need to load route 2 or re-load the route.

Question 26

How can you quickly re-build the IP-TGT run in the FMS?

Answer 26

NRST
User WPTs
Select TGT (usually L1 as you have just overflown it)
DIRECT TO
SPAD - TP-TGT run TRK (will need to clear any yellow messages first)
R5 (INTC CSE)
L3 -> L2 - Closes up the DISCO inserted automatically at L2 by the DIRECT TO command
EXEC

Question 27

Before turning to counter a SAM threat by placing it on your 3/9 line, what must you always confirm?

Answer 27

Clear in to the turn (traffic, airspace, terrain, avoids)

Ensure a safe flight path and lift vector away from the ground (at LL) once you have turned - don’t get distracted by the threat to the extent that safe flying is compromised

Question 28

What range is the TSD locked to in EWS mode and what is the diameter of the threat ring?

Answer 28

20nm range

10nm diameter

Question 29

What should you do if there is a SA threat in the target area?

Answer 29

Plan to fly as close to perpendicular to it as possible

Note low ground and valleys to try and fly in the radar ‘shadow’

Question 30

FENCE checks are carried out before crossing in to enemy territory. What do FENCE checks consist of on Texan?

Answer 30

MEDLS checks - ensure the aircraft is configured for EWS exercises

MAS - SAFE
EWS - Mode selected
DAS - Chaff and Flares available - TEST
LIGHTS - Forward facing ON and Anti Cols set to 2
SQWK - As req. (7001 for LL)

Question 31

What tactic is used to avoid ‘pop up’ SA threats in Texan?

Answer 31

Turn (clear area, avoids, terrain, traffic, weather, etc) to put the threat on the 3/9 line - deploy chaff

Step around the threat, remaining outside its effective ‘kill’ range - regain route once clear

Question 32

What SA radar mode does DIRT indicate?

Answer 32

Search mode (SM)

Question 33

What SA radar mode does MUD indicate?

Answer 33

Target tracking (TT)

Question 34

What workcycle is used after the RWR detects a SA threat (DIRT or MUD)?

Answer 34

Action - Information - Control

Note the position of the threat relative to the nose of the aircraft and your track/route

Action - Carry out your own defensive manoeuvre to avoid the imminent threat from the SAM

Information - Tell the other aircraft what you are doing and why. Keep it simple and concise, minimal words

Control - Direction required for the formation or friendly aircraft

Question 35

How should you respond to missile launch threats (SINGER, S - - - flashing with aural tone) during the MP Nav phase?

Answer 35

Visually clear the airspace about to be flown in to (avoids…?)

Look for a feature which, if flown to, will place your flight path perpendicular to the threat in the quickest time possible, i.e. threat left = turn right

MAX power, 3g turn, roll out pointing at this feature (puts the threat on ‘the beam’ making its radar work harder than normal)
Dispense simulated chaff

FP/DW/TCAS on roll out as normal

Start stopwatch or count to 30 secs. When threat indication ceases it is referred to as being NAKED.

Once 30 secs have elapsed and assuming you are still ‘NAKED’, turn to resume navigation to the current steerpoint and check for avoids on the new track

TEL check also useful + fuel state if time - The result of this check may cause you to step up the next wpt to cut the corner if > 60 secs behind

Question 36

How should you react to DIRT (SA radar in search mode, SM)?

Answer 36

Attempt to step around the threat, e.g. - ‘check 45R, DIRT 10 o’clock’

Note avoids, terrain, etc in the new area + FP, DW, TCAS as normal

Question 37

How should you react to MUD (SA radar in target track, TT, mode)?

Answer 37

Requires an immediate reaction from the threatened aircraft

Action - Carry out singleton defensive manoeuvre, including release of defensive aids

Information - ‘Defending Left, MUD 12 o’clock’

Control - Once the threatened aircraft is NAKED, re-plan to regain your timeline to target