Visual Techniques & Procedures Flashcards
Cold Weather Corrections: when do they need to be applied? To what altitudes?
0 degrees Celsius or less; Night VMC En route Altitudes, NVG En route altitudes, MSA, ESA
Visual Formation No-Drop
From DZCO, red smoke, red flares, red lights, the absence of markings/scrambled markings, block letter X.
Any crew-member can call “NO DROP”
- Not in safety box
- SD checklist is not complete by the “5 second” advisory
- A/S (+/-10KIAS), Altitude (+/-100 feet)
Where should an aircraft land in a formation?
What flap configuration?
Centerline, same spot as lead, 50% flaps
Inadvertent Weather Penetration (WITHOUT SKE)
“Execute IWP without SKE”
- Lead will announce base altitude, heading and airspeed at minimum
- Climb to base altitude at 1,000fpm at en route airspeed
- Once established in climb, wingmen turn 30 degrees away in safest direction for 1 min, then return to base heading.
- Last element in formation levels at base altitude, preceding elements stack at 500 foot intervals, with the first element occupying the highest altitude.
What is feed-on takeoff method?
When is it used?
Lead taxis onto the runway centerline and start the take-off roll (once cleared for take-off with checklists completed). Subsequent aircraft take note of a prominent runway centerline and start their take-off roll from that same point at the expiration of the predetermined take-off interval time. If lead stops on the runway, number two may taxi partially onto the runway (at 45 degree angle to lead) until they are looking down lead’s dump mast.
This method is used when: runway length, width, TOLD, or FOD preclude using the normal method.
Define Day MVC En route Altitude
500 feet AGL (300 feet if surveyed) modified contour above the terrain using visual references and the radar altimeter.
Do not operate an aircraft with less than ________ separation from nuclear power plants.
3NM
Visual Formation Slowdown Procedures
Describe Level/Descending/Ascending
Slowdown with signal/call (unless tactically unsound, night slowdowns will include an aural or visual signal). Retard all throttles to 1,000 in/lbs, lower flaps to 50% on-speed, make a level slowdown to 140 KIAS, then descend to drop altitude at 140 KIAS and 1,000fpm. Upon reaching drop altitude slow as required.
Climb to Drop: Same as above, except raise nose 5 degrees while slowing to 140 KIAS. Continue to slow as required once on drop altitude.
Visual Formation Recovery: Downwind
- Establish formation on downwind leg, 200 KIAS, 1000’AGL
- Displace aircraft 1NM parallel to landing runway
- Wingmen fly same ground track as lead stacked slightly above cutting vertical stab on horizon
- Lead breaks 3/4NM past approach end (1.25NM angle-off), 45 degrees AOB, then throttles idle
- Make a level turn, slow to 140 KIAS or 50% approach speed whichever is higher, Configure on-speed flaps and gear.
- Wingmen break 10 to 12 seconds after or swing window
- Rollout on final no less than 150 feet AGL and slow to final approach speed at 1/4 NM final
What TFM restrictions are for Night VMC?
- NVG’s will be used
- SKE should be operational
- Formation contracts and verbal signals will be pre-briefed and must be used
- Normally, shackles and ross turns should be conducted during day VMC
- Wingmen should avoid flying the line right or line left position for extended periods of time
- Fluid trail spacing will be no closer than 2,000 feet between aircraft
- Crews will brief altitude and airspeed “terminate” criteria for threat reactions
- NVGs are required for night threat reactions
- Defensive maneuvers will not be practiced after the pre-slowdown checklist
Do not operate aircraft _______ feet AGL over non-congested areas.
What are the exceptions?
500 feet
Exceptions: open water, special use airspace, on routes that have been environmentally assessed and surveyed for 300 foot AGL operations.
Describe a Visual Lead Change
Lead signals or commands a lead change if it does not occur at the pre-briefed point. In the absence of pre-briefed direction, the resigning leader maneuvers in the safest direction to assume a new position in the formation or departs the formation.
Do not operate aircraft _________ feet from any person, vessel, or structure.
500 feet
Define Night VMC En route Altitude (With and Without NVG’s)
Define Factor Obstacles:
With NVGs: 500 feet above the highest terrain feature or spot elevation, or 400 feet plus one contour interval above the highest depicted terrain contour (whichever is higher), within the tactical corridor to include the aircraft turn radius over each turn point.
Factor Obstacles - Man-made obstacle that penetrates the En route altitude. If do not visually identify: climb to attain an altitude of 500 feet above the obstacle or avoid the obstacle laterally by 2NM
Without NVGs: 500 feet above the highest obstruction to flight (man-made obstacle, terrain feature, or spot elevation), or 400 feet plus one contour interval above the highest depicted terrain contour (whichever is higher), within the tactical corridor to include the aircraft urn radius over each point.
Define MAC
Minimum Altitude Capable: The lowest altitude an aircrew can descend to when they detect or suspect a threat. It is dependent on individual aircrew capabilities, experience level, fatigue factors, terrain clearance, etc. Since maneuvering and navigation capacities are virtually negated at MAC, descending to this altitude is only warranted as a defensive response to an engaged threat and only for the duration of immediate threat activity. During en route operations, be aware of wingtip clearances at MAC.
Hard Turn
What TFM is it used for?
45 degrees
Delay turn, In-place turn, shackle, cross turn
Define ESA
Emergency Safe Altitude: 1,000 feet (2,000 feet in mountainous terrain) above the highest obstructions to flight (man-made obstacle, terrain feature, or spot elevation), within 22 NM of centerline to include the aircraft turn radius over each point. Route ESA is an IMC altitude that provides terrain clearance during emergency situations that require leaving he low level structure.
Define Night VMC Run-In and Drop Altitude
- When to descend to Night VMC Drop Altitude (with or without NVG’s)
WITH NVG’s: 500’ above highest terrain spot elevation … within 3NM of run-in centerline from IP to DZ.
WITHOUT NVG’s: 500’ above highest man-made obstacle … within 3NM of run-in centerline from IP to DZ.
(With/Without NVG’s) ONLY descend to Drop Altitude:
- After Slowdown
- When the drop zone is in sight and will remain in sight, or
- When a positive position is identified and adequate terrain clearance is assured
Define “Knock-It-Off”
A command to cease all maneuvering and training activity, and to evaluate the ability to safely continue training. Use this directive for any safety of flight transgression. Any member of the formation can call “knock-if-off.” Upon hearing”knock-it-off”, all aircraft in the formation will cease tactical maneuvering, clear their flight path, acknowledge by call sign, climb to a safe assigned altitude, and re-assemble. The decision to resume flying activities rest with the MC.
Minimum take-off interval between aircraft?
15 seconds
Visual Formation Recovery: Beam
- Establish formation in line-abreast geometry
- Initiate approach perpendicular to the landing runway at 200 KIAS and 500 feet above the field elevation.
- Cross the airfield perpendicular to the landing runway and at least 1500 to 2000 feet from approach end
- Break approximately 2 seconds after crossing the runway using 45 degrees AOB; wingmen at the same time as lead, then throttles idle, configure on-speed flaps 50%, gear down in the turn
- Lead make level continuous turn to final until intercepting a normal 3 degree glide path
- Wingmen make level turn planning to roll out on a drift killed downwind heading, displaced approximately 4000 feet parallel to landing runway flying 150KIAS on downwind
- Turn final 3/4NM past approach end of the landing runway (1NM angle-off), using 45 degrees of bank. Break and slow to 140 KIAS or 50% flap approach speed whichever is higher.
- Once established on desired glide path profile lower nose and descend to target airspeed in the final turn
- Roll out on final no less than 150 feet AGL, and sow to final approach sped at 1/4NM final
Visual Geometry: Wedge Position
4,000 - 6,000 feet separation, 30 - 60 degrees aft of the leader’s 3/9 line.
Wingman may switch side as required for threat, terrain, obstacles, or weather but must return to the original side unless cleared by lead.
Describe a Visual Formation Rejoin
When must rejoining aircraft be in position and stabilized to perform a formation drop?
Aircraft can rejoin the formation from a pre-briefed orbit or along the route. Wingman initiate the rejoin with a radio call to lead. Lead provides the rejoining aircraft with the formation’s location and MSL altitude. Rejoining aircraft will maintain 500 feet above or below the formation until they call the formation in sight and lead gives clearance to rejoin the formation.
Must be in position by “green light”
What is the desired landing interval between aircraft?
What is the minimum?
20 seconds desired
15 seconds minimum
Minimum taxi interval with 2 engines running?
Visual reference for this spacing?
two aircraft lengths
Taxi so you are just able to see the preceding aircraft’s nose wheel or bottom anti-collision beacon
Lead will announce airspeed changes of ________ KIAS at night.
15 KIAS
Visual Formation Run-In/Airdrop
All aircraft fly an independent run-in once established on drop altitude and airspeed through the escape maneuver, and base their release point on mission computer (SCNS)-calculated CARP verified by radar or visual references. Wingman maintain proper drop spacing for load type.
- In low drift situations (3 degrees or less) wingmen should consider offsetting to the upwind side of their lead just out of wake turbulence.
- Aircraft must be level on drop altitude and airspeed by green light time
Minimum taxi interval with 4 engines running?
Visual reference for this spacing?
one aircraft length
Align the ends of the horizontal stabilizer wit the outboard prop arcs
What are the standard DZ Markings?
If used, where are flankers positioned?
What publication is this found in?
RAM or
Block Letter (If authentication is required)
- Authorized letters for rectangular DZ’s: JRACS
- Authorized letters for circular DZ’s are HO
- Block letters should be aligned with surveyed DZ axis or with aircrafts line of flight. Min block size is 35x35 feet
Flanker Lights: white, 250 meters left and right the PI
Amber trailing beacon may be used at DZ trailing end or 1,000 meters from the PI (whichever is closer) for personnel drops.
May be overt or covert
Do not operate an aircraft below _______ feet AGL with less than _______ feet separation from congested areas/cities shown as magenta shaded areas on TPC.
1,000 feet; 2,000 feet
What are the Visual Airdrop Weather Minimums?
Comply with 202V3 VFR weather minimums (500’ below, 1,000’ above, 2,000’ horizontal, 3SM vis)
For non-CONUS VFR airdrops, comply with host nation VFR criteria if more restrictive.
When to descend to day VMC Drop Altitude?
Fly minimum day VMC airdrop altitudes as specified in AFI 11-231, visually avoiding high terrain and obstacles in the vicinity of the drop zone.
Visual Formation Escape Maneuver:
After “RED LIGHT” and “LOAD CLEAR” calls, accelerate to or maintain 140 KIAS, check flaps 50, turn to escape heading, and climb/descend as necessary (CAT).
Accelerate as soon as aircraft configuration allows (lead uses 900 TIT).
** For CDS flap consideration, check 50 immediately once “LOAD CLEAR” called **
- Personnel airdrops, delay the “RED LIGHT” call until the expiration of the usable DZ timing (even if the LM has called “LOAD CLEAR”) to avoid escaping early and possible formation compression.
Vis formation Departure and Assembly
Assemble as low as possible. While climbing to assembly altitude, the normal climb profile for lead (below 10,000MSL) is 180 KIAS and 1500fpm. Lead should maintain assembly airspeed (normally 180 KIAS) and assembly altitude until wingmen have closed to en route position (wingmen can accelerate as fast as needed - 10KIAS per 1,000 feet of closer). Accelerate to en route spacing at a specific geographic point, pre-briefed time, or at lead’s discretion.
Visual Geometry: In-Trail Position (when it’s required)
Wingmen:
Element Lead:
** En route subsequent flight lead spacing
** Airdrop subsequent flight lead spacing
Required immediately after takeoff (request fluid trail) and during airdrop operations.
Wingmen: 2,000 feet behind lead and offset out of wake turbulence (left horizontal stabilizer tip with the number one engine exhaust cone and right horizontal stabilizer tip with the right external wing tank).
Element Lead: 4,000 - 6,000 feet in-trail spacing (thumb in the window or SKE)
** Subsequent flight lead: en route - 16,000 feet behind preceding flight leader; run-in/airdrop - 8,000 - 10,000 feet behind preceding flight lead.
What is the minimum spacing for CDS airdrops?
6000 feet between aircraft
Visual Geometry: Fluid Trail
Wingmen:
Element Lead:
Wingmen: 2,000 - 6,000 feet behind lead up to the 3/9 line. Should avoid flying at lead’s 6 o clock position.
Element Lead: 8,000 - 12,000 feet from flight lead aft of the 3/9 line clear of the preceding aircraft.
(Subsequent flight leads maintain at least 20,000 feet behind the preceding flight lead)
Do not operate an aircraft with less than _______ separation from prohibited airspace.
3NM
What TFM restrictions are for Day VMC?
No restrictions
What are VFR filing / enroute weather requirements
1500 feet and 3SM visibility. Maintain 500’ below, 1,000’ above, 2,000’ horizontally, 3SM visibility
Do not operate an aircraft with less than ________ separation from restricted airspace.
No separation required, just do not overfly unless granted approval from the controlling agency.
What is a normal formation take-off method?
Lead centers aircraft on downwind side of the runway, moving forward 100 feet/aircraft (including her own) plus an additional 100 feet.
Taxi forward until two beaver tail lights on the preceding aircraft blend together and appear as one light.
Advance power to flight idle five seconds prior to their own brake release to signal about to begin take-off roll. Release brakes and advance the throttles to take-off power.
Break Turn
What TFM is it used for?
60 degrees
Hook turn
At no time will an aircraft be operated within ______ feet of another aircraft.
500 feet
Visual Geometry: Line Abreast
6,000 feet minimum (day), 9,000 feet recommended maximum (night) laterally and zero to 10 degrees aft of the leader’s wing line.
May also stack +/- 500 feet
Visual Formation Recover: Overhead
- Establish formation on initial approach on extended runway centerline, 200 KIAS, 1,500’AGL
- Double drift on initial for DW rollout heading
- Wingmen fly same ground track on initial and downwind splitting leads tail with horizon
- Break at approach end, 45’ AOB, then throttles idle, level turn
- Wingmen break 5 seconds after lead
- Downwind leg catch 150 KIAS, Configure on-speed flaps and gear once wings level (displaced 1NM)
- Lead breaks 1NM past approach end (1.4NM angle-off), 30 degrees AOB, Slow 140 KIAS or 50% approach speed whichever is higher.
- Wingmen break 12 to 14 seconds after or swing window
- Rollout on final no less than 150 feet AGL and slow to final approach speed at 1/4 NM final.
Inadvertent Weather Penetration (WITH SKE)
“Execute IWP with SKE”
- Lead will announce base altitude, heading and airspeed at minimum.
- All aircraft select SKE
- Wingmen set XTRK to 1,000 feet (Element 2,000 feet)
- Climb to base altitude at 1,000fpm at en route airspeed on base heading while maintaining SKE separation
- Level at base altitude “Assume SKE interval”
- Wingmen reduce airspeed 15 knots, drift back 4,000 feet intervals, then reset and intercept XTRK
Do not operate an aircraft below _______ feet AGL within less than ______ separation from national recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and known sensitive areas.
2,000 feet; 1NM
Define “Terminate”
A command to cease all maneuvering without affecting the overall mission or exercise. Use this directive when maneuver reaches its training objective. Any member of the formation can call “Terminate.”
Upon hearing “terminate”, all aircraft in the formation will cease tactical maneuvering, clear their flight path, and acknowledge by call sign. The MC should establish specific terminate criteria.
Define MSA
Minimum Safe Altitude: 500’ above highest obstruction to flight (man-made obstacle, terrain feature, or spot elevation), or 400 feet plus one contour interval above the highest depicted terrain contour (whichever is higher), within 5 NM of centerline (or the tactical corridor if greater than 5 NM either side of centerline) to include the aircraft turn radius over each point. Leg MSA is than initial VFR altitude that provides terrain clearance while the aircrew analyzes situations that require interruption of low-level operations such as equipment malfunctions, route disorientation or when either pilot must leave the seat during low-level operations.
Describe the Tactical Corridor
Standard width 3NM either side of centerline; should be planned as wide as possible to provide max situational awareness and flexibility; Can vary from 1NM to 10NM
