FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

CHAPTER SEVEN T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE
“RAM” Checks
Three major things to do when transitioning patterns:
1. Don’t climb above the new pattern altitude
2. Reset the LAW (Radalt) And
3. Reset the Mils/sight angle.
After making your position call, verify the “RAM” checks have been completed. This also is a
good time (if not previously done) to update the BINGO setting to prevent the Bingo “caution”
from illuminating during the first run, causing you to abort.
704. OTHER PATTERN PROCEDURES
Fixing the Pattern Interval
To some extent as in the landing pattern, the pattern interval is adjusted during the off target pull
to the abeam. When the pattern is flowing properly with four aircraft, one aircraft is calling off
the target, his interval is “abeam” and the following aircraft is calling “in” and the remaining
aircraft (silent) is between the “abeam” aircraft and the “in” aircraft. If coming off target your
interval is other than “abeam”, you will need to adjust your pull to the abeam accordingly.
Normally, you will recover from the dive, come off target until your nose reaches 10° nose up,
relax, roll, pull to the abeam. If your interval calls, “Past” or “Approaching” you will need to
start the turn to the abeam sooner, cutting down the distance or close the gap between you and
your interval. If your interval calls “Prior” or “Crosswind”, you will need to delay the turn to the
abeam to generate a bigger gap as well as prevent the two of you from meeting at the abeam at
the same time, which as previously mentioned, is also known as a Simo Run at the abeam.
A common technique to help you understand this concept is to use the pitch ladders as a
reference for your turn. Upon calling “off safe”, listen for the position call from your interval. If
the interval calls “past”, stop the initial off target pull at 5° nose up, relax, roll, and pull;
“Abeam” - 10° nose up; “Prior” - 15° nose up; and “Crosswind” - 20° nose up, pause, call
“Extending” and start the turn.
Bottom line, if there is a large gap between you and your interval, you need to start the turn to
the abeam sooner. To increase the gap if you are tight on your interval, extend and turn later.
The Off Target Rendezvous (OTR)
During the final run, the flight lead will call “One In cold (Card. Dir), last pass, last pass.”
Coming off target, the lead will call “One off safe, off-target rendezvous,” and will normally
continue straight ahead while climbing to the pre-briefed rendezvous altitude and slowing to 250
KIAS. Other flight members repeat the call as they come off target, adding to the call the total
7-32 TARGET AREA PROCEDURES