NATOPS

Question 1

Why do personnel embarking a helo often do so at 90 degree angles?

Answer 1

Reduces the chance of getting your head chopped off by the main rotor

Question 2

What is the proper PPE for flight deck personnel?

Answer 2

• Cranial protection
• Sound suppressors
• Safety goggles
• Flight deck shoes
• Flotation devices
• Long sleeved shirts
• Long trousters
• No FOD

Question 3

When is the embarked Aviation Safety Officer required to conduct a safety review prior to scheduled FLOPS?

Answer 3

If no flight ops have occurred within the last 90 days

Question 4

What speed should you remain below when conducting FLOPS on a DDG, and why?

Answer 4

< 15 knots

Greater speeds mean the ship will significantly SQUAT, which might cause water to come over the flight deck

Every knots > 15 = 6 inches squat…

Question 5

What is a Wave Hazard Plot?

Answer 5

Aids OODs in ensuring the right FQ course and speed will not exceed wave limits or risk helo damage

Question 6

How close are you permitted to let your ship pass within a hovering rotorcraft? Why?

Answer 6

500 yards.

They’re considered as ships not under command.

Question 7

Can you launch or recover helos while in a turn?

Answer 7

Nope – not authorized

Question 8

Discuss the issue with the ship moving in excess of 25 knots

Answer 8

• Wake extends above the flight deck

- At night, the aft extended lineup lights may be obscured by large ship wake

Question 9

What 2 groups must your Flight Deck Fire Party consist?

Answer 9

AFFF hose team

Backup AFFF hose team

Question 10

List 5 hazards to aviation personnel or aircraft landing on a DDG.

Answer 10

Weapons / Chaff blasts
Sonic boom concussion
Hazardous operations (gunnery exercises, missiles, etc.)
Static discharge
HERO / HERP

Question 11

What is the HERP minimum safe distance (feet) of SPY in high and low power?

Answer 11

High: 520 ft
Low: 50 ft

Question 12

For FLOPS, when does the probability of damage increase sharply?

Answer 12

Wind gusts exceed 10 knots

Question 13

What are 4 sources of wind turbulence?

Answer 13

Stack gases/wash
Ship superstructures
Deck protrustions
Rotorwash from adjacent aircraft

Question 14

What are the 4 categories of aircraft emergencies?

Answer 14

Cases that:

• Cause an aircraft to ditch/crash
• Require an immediate landing
• Require a precautionary shipboard landing (minor system issues)
• Occur on the Flight Deck