FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

CHAPTER SEVEN T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE
702. PATTERN COMMUNICATIONS (PATTERN COMM)
This portion of the chapter will discuss pattern communications. This will be the first time, for
those who have yet to fly Tac Form, which you will fly in a dynamic environment and talk at the
same time. Pattern Comm is one of the four basic items your instructor will be primarily grading
you on your first three flights in the aircraft. Communications while in the pattern is crucial to
the safety of a Weapons flight. The old adage, “as the comms go, so goes the flight” could not
be more emphasized in this stage. To become a successful Naval Aviator you must be able to
talk and fly at the same time. Patten Comm is one of those items which can be extremely
difficult to reproduce while in the simulator and usually a suffering point on early aircraft flights.
During this section, we will discuss the pattern comm positions, the comm cadence and sequence
(who says what when), other standardized calls which are not part of the normal comm flow, and
lastly, the pattern transitions.
Pattern Comm: General
Pattern Comm is extremely important on early flights. You want to be concentrating on the
basics on your first few aircraft flights; Comm, Pattern, Form and OTR. Pattern Comm is tough
to duplicate in Sim due to IP constraints. Get with your buddies, walk around your living room,
ride bikes in a parking lot, or whatever it takes, but PRACTICE the comm prior to your first
flight in the aircraft!
In Weps, there are no bonus points for proper English. Drop the S’s. Example “THREE” vice
“THREE’S”.
On low visibility days (i.e. 5-6 sm), it can’t be overemphasized how extremely important comm
becomes. You will be blind almost every time coming off target on your interval and Lead needs
to hear the proper callsigns of the aircraft rolling in on the target. Proper position calls
accompanied by the correct aircraft callsign enhances situational awareness (SA). When the
comm breaks down, so does the SA.
It’s not a contest on how fast you can say it, it’s how timely it is said. If you speak too fast, no
one will understand a word you said. Speak calmly and clearly.
Position Calls
The position call is the most often missed call on the early aircraft flights. In the simulator,
you’ll call Abeam when you’re at the Abeam and no other aircraft are in the pattern. Some Sim
IP’s will do their best to simulate the comm, but it is usually difficult to simulate other aircraft
communication and instruct you at the same time. The best way to not miss a call is to anticipate
your call when you are pulling to the Abeam. To assist you in knowing when the aircraft behind
you is calling off, try and locate the aircraft in the dive, this will enhance your overall situational
awareness in the pattern. Obviously, you need to find your interval first or take the precautions
to avoid running into your interval by executing the lost interval procedures if blind.
7-26 TARGET AREA PROCEDURES