FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

CHAPTER SEVEN T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE
The Comm Cadence
There is a specific order in who says what, when they say it in the pattern. It has a cadence to it
when the pattern is flowing well. Listen up! Wait for your time to speak and only speak when
it’s your time to talk.
The one who initiates the comm sequence is the one calling “OFF, SAFE”. The “OFF, SAFE”
call is immediately followed by the aircraft ahead of the “OFF” aircraft. The aircraft ahead of
the “OFF” aircraft calls its current position relative to the target with its fuel state. Then the
“IN” call, with the direction the aircraft is rolling in from (such as N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and
NW), can be given. If there is someone scoring the hits, whether it’s Lead, other IP’s, or the
scorer on a scored range, the score usually follows the “IN” call.
Sample Comm Flow/Sequence:
FOUR: “Four off safe.”
THREE: “Three abeam, one point eight.”
LEAD: “One in West.”
TARGET: “Roger, one.”
TARGET: “Four, your hit: one five zero at three thirty.”
If the flight is a four plane, there will always be one aircraft that remains quiet. It is the aircraft
between the position call aircraft and the “IN” aircraft. In a three plane, there will be a natural
pause between the position call and the “IN” call. In this case the “IN” aircraft will hold its call
until it is just about to roll-in.
Other Standard Comm Calls
Some of the other standard comm calls you will hear or possibly make while in the pattern are as
follows:
“IN” Call.
Given after the position call and includes the direction from which the aircraft is rolling
in from. It is the reciprocal direction of the run-in heading. “IN, (Card. Dir.), COLD”
means you have no intention of dropping on that pass.
“WINCHESTER”
The “WINCHESTER” call is made on the “IN” call on the run following your last bomb
expended. This call lets Lead or the scorer know you have no more bombs remaining. In
doing so, the scorer knows not to look for anymore impacts from your aircraft. Lead
usually marks you off in some form and it helps Lead in his planning for pattern
transitions and/or Off Target Rendezvous.
7-28 TARGET AREA PROCEDURES