Tactical Flight Mission Planning

Question 1

Mission Planning and Preparation

Description

Answer 1

● Using elements of METT-TC is essential to safe and successful accomplishment of missions at terrain flight altitudes.

● Consistent with commander’s intent, flight routes, LZs, PZs, and BPs will be determined and planned accordingly.

● Contingency planning is also a critical element during this stage of the operation, including alternate flight routes, alternate LZs and PZs, and suspected enemy positions.

● Another key element is rapid dissemination of information allowing maximum planning and familiarization time by aircrews.

● The aviation mission planning system (AMPS) is an automated mission planning and battle synchronization tool designed specifically for aviation commanders. AMPS functions include tactical planning, mission management, and mission rehearsal capabilities.

Question 2

Terrain Flight Modes

Reference:

Answer 2

Terrain flight includes appropriate tactical application of low-level, contour, and NOE flight techniques, as appropriate, diminishing the enemy’s capability to acquire, track, and engage aircraft]

Reference: TC 3-04.4 Ch. 5

Question 3

NOE flight

Answer 3

Is conducted at varying airspeeds as close to the earth’s surface as vegetation
and obstacles permit.

For NVG training, NOE flight is further defined as operating with the skids or wheels up to 25 feet above trees and vegetation in the flight path.

Reference: TC 3-04.4 Ch. 5

Question 4

Contour flight

Answer 4

is conducted at low altitudes conforming to the earth’s contours. It is characterized by relatively constant airspeeds and varying altitude as dictated by terrain and obstacles.

For NVG training, contour flight is further defined as operating with the skids or wheels between 25 and 80 feet above highest obstacle (AHO).

Question 5

Low-level flight

Answer 5

Is conducted at constant altitude and airspeed, dictated by threat avoidance.

For NVG training, low-level flight is further defined as operating with the skids or wheels between 80 and 200 feet AHO.

Question 6

Pickup Zone (PZ) Selection Considerations

Reference:

Answer 6

Number
Size
Obstacles
Location
Conditions
Wind
App/Dep Routes

Reference: TC 3-04.4 Ch. 5

Question 7

PZ Selection Number Considerations

Answer 7

Number

Multiple pick-up zones (PZs) may have an advantage over single PZ as they avoid concentrating the force in one location.

Multiple PZ operations require detailed & precise planning by the supported & supporting units.

Question 8

PZ Selection Size Considerations

Answer 8

Size

Each PZ should accommodate all supporting aircraft at one time. Points to consider include

-Number and type aircraft. Minimum recommended landing point separation-
CH-47: 80 meters
UH-60/AH-64: 50 meters
-Unit proficiency.
-Nature of loads.
-Climatic conditions.
-Power management.
-Day or night operations.

Question 9

PZ Selection Obstacles Considerations

Answer 9

Obstacles

Plan for a 10 to 1 ratio for arrival and departure ends of PZ.

Question 10

PZ Selection Location Considerations

Answer 10

Location
PZs should be selected close to the troops being lifted (so they do not have to travel long distances) and accessible to vehicles moving support assets & infantry. However, locate PZs in an area limiting traffic from vehicles or personnel not directly involved. Mask PZs by terrain from enemy observation.

Question 11

PZ Selection Conditions Considerations

Answer 11

Conditions

Consider area surface conditions.

Excessive slope, blowing dust or sand, blowing snow, & natural (tree stumps, rocks) and manmade (wires, foxholes) obstacles create potential hazards to PZ operations.

Weather vulnerable, a perfect PZ could become unusable after a hard rain or fog from a nearby river. Other considerations are-
* Blowing dust/sand/snow: increase separation between aircraft (as a general
rule, by 50%).
* Ground slope: Should be level terrain. As a guide:
Land upslope for 0 to 6 degree slope
Land side slope for 7 to 15 degree slope

Question 12

PZ Selection Wind Considerations

Answer 12

Wind

Orient into the wind especially if aircraft are operating near maximum capacity or if the
PZ is hazardous due to sand. dust. or snow.

Question 13

PZ Selection App/Dep Routes Considerations

Answer 13

Approach/Departure Routes

Analyze terrain surrounding a possible PZ for air traffic patters. In a tactical situation,
avoid constantly approaching the PZ over the same ground track. Still, there are only so many ways to approach an area. Ideally, there should be an obstruction-free approach and exit path into the wind using the long axis. If required, mask routes from enemy detection.

Question 14

Landing Zone (LZ) Selection Considerations:

Reference:

Answer 14

Location
Capacity
Alternates
Threat
Obstacles
Identification
App/Dep Routes
Number

Reference: TC 3-04.4 Ch. 5

Question 15

LZ Selection Location Considerations

Answer 15

Location

Locate the landing zone (LZ) in an area supporting the ground tactical plan of the air assault task force commander (AATFC). It may be located on the objective, close by, or at a distance. Consider mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (METT-TC) factors when selecting LZs. Select LZs within range of supporting fires (artillery, close air support [CAS), naval gunfire) if required.

Question 16

LZ Selection Capacity Considerations

Answer 16

Capacity

LZ size determines how much combat power can be landed at one time. The selected LZ must be large enough to support the number of aircraft required by the AATFC.
Squads must land intact in the LZ, and platoons must land in the same serial to ensure fighting unit integrity during air assault. This consideration also determines the need for additional LZs or separation between

Question 17

LZ Selection Alternates
Considerations

Answer 17

Alternates

An alternate LZ should be planned for each primary LZ to ensure flexibility.

Question 18

LZ Selection Threat Considerations

Answer 18

Threat

The air mission commander (AMC) considers enemy troop concentrations, air defense artillery (ADA) locations, weapons ranges, and the enemy’s ability to reposition ground forces to react to the air assault. LZ selection involves the air assault task force (AATF) staff operations officer (S-3), AMC, and staff intelligence officers (S-2s) from the AATF and aviation task force. S-2s provide intelligence affecting selection of LZs.

Question 19

LZ Selection Obstacles Considerations

Answer 19

Obstacles

LZ selection must include existing as well as reinforcing obstacles on the LZ. Which side of the obstacles (away or same side as enemy) to use is determined by AATFC.

Question 20

LZ Selection Identification Considerations

Answer 20

Identification

LZs should be easily identifiable from the air, if possible (more critical for the first lift).

Question 21

LZ Selection App/Dep Routes Considerations

Answer 21

Approach/ Departure
Routes

Approach and departure flight routes should avoid continued flank and visual exposure of aircraft to the enemy.

Question 22

Route/ACP Selection

Answer 22

Route/ACP Selection:
● Air control point (ACP): An air reference measure which is an easily identifiable point on
the terrain or an electronic NAVAID used for navigation, mission command, and
communication.

● Communications point (CP): An air reference measure requiring serial leaders report
either to the aviation mission commander or terminal control facility.

● Consider contrast with surrounding terrain.

● Avoid points near bright lights.

● Confirm selections with prominent adjacent features.

● Consider moon angle and effective illumination.

● ACPs should be 5 to 20 kilometers or nautical miles (NMs) apart. As a general rule, select ACPs 5 to 20 kilometers apart when utilizing map scales of 1:100,000 and below, and
use NM when utilizing map scales of 1:250,000 and above.

● Select prominent barriers near ACPs, particularly when planning significant turns.

● The start point (SP) and release point (RP) are important ACPs. Aviators use easily
identifiable terrain features even if they must alter their route slightly. These points
should be 3 to 8 kilometers or NM from the PZ/LZ to aid timing and navigation and
should not involve significant turning.

● Avoid planning route segments requiring heading changes of more than 60 degrees.

Question 23

LZ Selection Number Considerations

Answer 23

Number

The decision to use a single or multiple LZs is based upon the ground tactical plan & AATFC intent. Advantages to using a single LZ are-
* Make controlling operations easier.
* Require less planning and rehearsal time.
* Centralize any required resupply operations.
* Concentrate supporting fires on one location.
* Provide better security on subsequent lifts.
Amass more combat power in a single location.
Make detection of the air assault by enemy units more difficult as the air assault operation is confined to a smaller area of the battlefield and there are less flight routes
Advantages for multiple LZs include the following:
* Do not group the entire force in one location.
* Force the enemy to fight in multiple directions.
* Allow rapid dispersal of ground elements to accomplish tasks in separate areas.
* Make determining size of the assault force difficult for the enemy.
Reduces troop/aircraft congestion.

Question 24

Hazards to Terrain Flight

Reference:

Answer 24

● Physical Hazards:
○ Manmade Hazards (ex. Towers, wires)
○ Natural Hazards (ex. Trees, birds, ambient light)

● Weather Hazards: Restricted visibility, wind conditions

● Human Factors: Fatigue, obstacle detection ability

Reference: TC 3-04.4 Ch. 5

Question 25

The _____________’s naming convention will in all cases trump the CAB’s.

Answer 25

ground unit commander’s

Question 26

SPs:

Answer 26

Choose a point 3-8 KM from the departure point and aligned within a 30- degree
arc from the course.

Question 27

RPs:

Answer 27

Choose a point 3-8 KM from the landing zone and within 15 degrees from the landing zone heading.

Question 28

Times:

Answer 28

○ Hard Time “00:00:00” – Used for time driven missions (H-hour)
○ Soft Times “0000” – Used for scheduling items such as preflight time
○ Elapsed Times “00+00+00” – Used for event driven missions.

Question 29

Company/Troop Planning Cells:

Answer 29

● Enemy/Weather cell
● Friendly/Maneuver cell
● Flight Coordination/Contingencies cell
● Sustainment cell
● Command and Signal cell