FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE CHAPTER SEVEN
The Approaching Turn – Adjustment for Strong Winds
Wind at altitude will affect your pattern. You will need to adjust your pattern for strong winds.
Anything less than 20 knots at altitude are considered minimal. When you start to see 30 to 40
knots or greater at altitude, minor adjustments will be required. It’s very similar to the approach
turn in the landing pattern.
A Headwind will cause you to be shallow. Move your approaching turn arc in slightly and rollin
slightly closer to target.
A Tailwind will cause you to be steep. Move your approaching turn arc out slightly and roll-in
slightly farther away from target.
Remember, the overall pattern objective:
1. Arrive at the Run-in line roughly 30° off the run-in heading at the Attack Cone / Roll-in
Point.
The “Approaching” Position – The Power-up Point
When a good pattern is flown in the simulator, the target should remain in the field of view while
on the Approach Turn Arc. In the aircraft, the target should always be visible. In both cases, the
target will move slightly forward of your inboard shoulder as the nose of the aircraft approaches
perpendicular to the run-in line.
Here is where you set your release power setting and place the Master Arm switch to “ARM”
(with the exception of forward firing ordnance; in that case, DO NOT select Master Arm to
ARM until the nose is pointed at the target).
Figure 7-15 The “Approaching” Position – The Power-up Point
TARGET AREA PROCEDURES 7-19