FLIGHT TRAINING INSTRUCTION T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE - Cnatra

CHAPTER SEVEN T-45 WEAPONS/STRIKE
The “Marine Style” Pop Pattern somewhat resembles the standard weapons pattern, with the
exception the pop-up pattern has a longer downwind leg from the abeam. The pattern altitude is
1,000 AGL. When initially entering the pattern, wingmen will perform a level break at a
15-second interval to provide extra spacing in the pattern. Initially out of the break, parallel the
run-in line until at the abeam. The abeam position will be close to the standard abeam distance
of the 10 degree pattern - around 2 nm. At the abeam, track outbound on the reciprocal of the
run-in heading plus 15 degrees (rounded to the nearest 5 degrees), utilizing the Ground Track
Marker to provide a wind corrected ground track. Continue this ground track to 4.0 nm from the
target (without target waypoint distance timing is required for 35-40 seconds from the abeam).
Perform a 12 unit AOA level 90-degree turn towards the run-in line and roll out for about 2
seconds to clear the turn. Add power to MRT and execute a 12 unit AOA level turn inbound to
place the target on the nose approximately 4 nm. Adjust altitude to ingress toward the target at
700-1,000 AGL. Do not arm the Master Arm switch until your nose is pointed at the target!
“Marine Style” Pop Mechanics
The pop is designed to quickly elevate you from ingress altitude to roll-in altitude. The
advantage of the “Marine Style” pop is the ability to keep the target area in sight throughout the
entire maneuver. To perform the pop, ingress to the target level at 700-1,000 AGL. At
approximately 3.3 nm, with the power still at MRT, perform a level 30° turn away from the
pattern, roll wings level, briefly pause and pull the nose up (smoothly, but aggressively) to 30
degrees using a 4 g / 17 unit pull. Reaching 30 degrees nose up, cross-check the target and run-in
line. Passing 1,900 AGL, roll to put your lift vector on the target and pull down to establish the
aircraft in a 10-degree dive. The amount of time between the climb and initiating your pull down
into the target is only a few seconds. This maneuver should put you in a standard 10-degree dive
toward the target over the run-in line. Adjust the pop distance as required on subsequent runs to
get as close to the planned release flight path angle of 10 degrees.
“Marine Style” Pop-to-Attack Z Diagram and Pattern
Figure 7-21 “Marine Style” Pop-to-Attack Z Diagram and Pattern
7-36 TARGET AREA PROCEDURES