T-6 Flying status criteria

Question 1

UNRESTRICTED

Answer 1

Weather conditions allow full use of the MOA and Honcho’s pattern. Crosswinds are within solo limits. Solo students can maintain visual reference with ground during departure, area work, and recovery. Honcho controls the T-6 pattern.

Question 2

SOLO

Answer 2

Weather is 3100 MSL/5 or better. Crosswinds are within solo limits and Honcho controls the T-6 pattern. This status must be followed by a suffix indicating the specific restriction(s) to solos. Example suffixes (not all-inclusive):

• INNER RINGS AREA ONLY: Solos are limited to the specified areas and can maintain visual reference with ground during departure area work, and recovery.
• FORMATION ONLY: Formations can maintain VMC during departure, area work, and recovery, with sufficient ground references to visually navigate to, from, and within assigned areas.
• PATTERN ONLY: Solos are restricted to Honcho’s pattern, or, if Wizard is also Solo in Pattern, solos my use both patterns. (For Wizard to be Solo in the Pattern, Solos must be able to fly the Wizard departure and recovery while maintaining visual reference with ground.)

Question 3

RESTRICTED PATTERNS

Answer 3

Weather is 2600/3 or better. No solo students sorties are allowed. Pattern entry is via initial take off, pattern straigt-in, or closed/crosswind from the center runway. No breakout capabilities exists. Only 8 a/c are allowed in pattern.

Question 4

DUAL

Answer 4

Weather is 3100 MLS/3 or better. No solo students sorties are allowed.

Question 5

SIMULTANEOUS INSTRUMENTS

Answer 5

Weather is better than 2100 MLS/3 but less than that needed for a Restricted Pattern. ATIS will inform aircrew on appropriate recovery. T-6s will recover via GPS-B/VOR-A unless an approach to the ctr rwy is coordinated with SOF and approved by RAPCON.

Question 6

ALTERNATING INSTRUMENTS

Answer 6

Weather is equal to or better than suitable approach minimums. All a/c return for an instrument approach. Multiple radar patterns are allowed during the T-6 window with prior approval.

Question 7

STOP LAUNCH

Answer 7

All local launches are stopped. The reason, expected duration, and instructions for airborne a/c may be included. Out and back and cross country sorties may be launched with SOF approval.

Question 8

WEATHER RECALL

Answer 8

The SOF has the option to full stop all a/c or to recall a/c to the VFR/radar pattern. The flying status and the nearest suitable alternate will be announced on GUARD. Airborne a/c will immediately discontinue their profiles and await sequencing for recovery. While awaiting sequencing, a/c will climb to the top of their assigned altitude block and hold at maximum endurance airspeed. Solos will recive first priority followed by a/c close to divert fuel. Fly the recovery at 250 KIAS. Once all a/c have landed, the status reverts to Standby. If recalled to the pattern status reverts to the appropriate status with a „Pattern only“ suffix once all a/c are established in the pattern.

Question 9

47 OG RECALL

Answer 9

All a/c recover via weather recall procedures except fly normal airspeeds and refrain from contacting the SOF unless special handling is required.

Question 10

STANDBY

Answer 10

Awaiting improving conditions. All local a/c have recovered. Weather ships, out and backs, and cross country sorties may be launched, if appropriate, with SOF approval.

Question 11

TERMINATED

Answer 11

Period where all local flying (including off-station returns) is complete through the scheduled start time of launches for the next day.

Question 12

WIZARD STATUS

Answer 12

Wizard status may be closed, in Place/Closed, Restriced Patterns, Restricted Patterns Uncontrolled, Uncontrolled, Dual, AHC Sterile or Solo in the Pattern. Weather criteria are the same as Honcho’s pattern except Solo in the Pattern (SIP) at Wizard requires a minimum of 3100 MSL/5 (5500 MLS/5 RWY 31), allowing solo VFR operations to and from Wizard and on Rio One Arrival. The SOF will determine if the weather enroute to Wizard is suitable for a status of Solo in the Pattern.

Question 13

PATTERN CHECK PROCEDURES

Answer 13

1. Coordinate through controlling agency, RSU/Tower. Pattern check is approved for the pattern onnly. Maintain the pattern ground track to include checking CREEK and RIO. Checks outside the pattern will be coordinated through the SOF and RAPCON.
2. Do not initiate the pattern check until cleared. One a/c in each RSU pattern at a time.
3. Maintain VFR, squawk normal, and fly normal pattern ground track.
4. Climb to higher than 3100 MSL. If IMC is inadvertently encountered maintain 3000 MSL and contact Arrival for an instrument recovery.
5. Request descent and state intentions prior departing 3100 MSL.
6. Only one pattern may be flown. IP may coordinate for a touch and go or low approach to radar, or full-stop.