Multi-Aircraft Operations

Question 1

What are the movement techniques?

Answer 1

Traveling: move rapidly over the battlespace when enemy contact is unlikely or unexpected, or situation requires fast movement. Usually using low level and contour flight at high airspeeds

Traveling overwatch: when speed is essential and enemy contact is possible. Associated with recon, security, and attack missions. Use contour or NOE flight

Bounding overwatch: enemy contact is expected. Slowest way to move

Question 2

What are the horizontal distances for formation flight?

Answer 2

Tight: 2 rotor disks
Close: 3-5 rotor disks
Loose: 6-10 rotor disks
Extended: 10+ rotor disks

Question 3

What is the vertical separation for formation flight?

Answer 3

Flat: all at same altitude
Stepped up: vertical separation 1-10’
Stepped down: vertical separation 1-10’ (wake turbulence is a hazard)

Question 4

What bank and route turns should be planned for formation flights?

Answer 4

No bank angles greater than 30* and no turns greater than 60*

Question 5

How do you conduct a lead change?

Answer 5

Flight lead announces the lead change, turns 30-90* to depart the formation, 8 disks out, flying parallel to the formation.

Chalk 2 confirms chalk 1 is clear of flight, chalk 1 will slow 10KIAS slower than the formation. After the last aircraft has passed chalk 1, they take position as trail

Question 6

What are the lost visual contact procedures?

Answer 6

Immediately make a radio call to flight lead. They will announce heading, altitude, airspeed and distance to next waypoint. The aircraft that lost contact will immediately take up leads heading and airspeed.

Question 7

What light communication is used to signal aircraft is ready to take off?

Answer 7

Turning off of anticollision light, minus trail