Transcript CAP Observe Course slides

Mission Aircrew Course
Chapter 13: Step Through
at Typical Mission
(Jul 2005)
Aircrew Tasks
O-2008 COMPLETE A MISSION SORTIE (P)
 O-2107 PREPARE FOR A TRIP TO A REMOTE MISSION
BASE (O, P)

Objectives

Discuss the items you should check before
leaving on a mission: {P; 13.1}
• Personal and aircraft items
• CAPF 71
• State the flight time and crew duty limitations (per the current
CAPR 60-1)
• State the three unique entries made by a CAP pilot on a FAA
Flight Plan and where they go on the flight plan
• “IMSAFE” and flight release
• Preflight & loading
• Departure

Discuss the approach and your actions upon
arrival at mission base, including the general
briefing. {P; 13.2 & 13.4}
Objectives




Discuss the six steps of ORM and the four principles
involved. {P; 13.3}
Discuss the aircrew briefing. {P; 13.5}
Describe the information contained in and how to fill out
the front of the CAPF 104. {P; 13.6}
Discuss the items checked and actions taken before
leaving on a sortie: {P; 13.7}
• Release and preparation
• Preflight and Departure
• State when the ‘sterile cockpit’ rules starts and ends

Discuss duties during the sortie, including: {P; 13.8}
• Preparations prior to entering the search area
• Required radio reports
• State when the ‘sterile cockpit’ rules starts and ends
Objectives
Discuss your actions upon arrival back at mission
base. {P; 13.9}
 Describe the information contained in and how
to fill out the back of the CAPF 104. {P; 13.10}
 Discuss the aircrew debriefing. {P; 13.11}
 Discuss your actions upon arrival back home,
including: {P; 13.12}

• What to do with the aircraft
• What to do if you observe signs of post-traumatic stress
• When the mission is officially over for you and your crew
What’s the Rush?
Why do we go to so much trouble to train
mission aircrew members and encourage
members to spend the time it takes to stay
proficient?
 Time is such a critical factor in missing person
or aircraft crash searches
 Treat every minute after you been alerted as
critical to the survival chances of the victims

Survival Rates

Of the 29% who survive a crash, 60% will be
injured:
• 81% will die if not located within 24 hours
• 94% will die if not located within 48 hours

Of those 40% uninjured in the crash:
• 50% will die if not located within 72 hours
• Survival chances diminish rapidly after 72 hours
Response Times

Average time from the aircraft being
reported missing to AFRCC notification:
• 15.6 hours if no flight plan was filed
• 3.9 hours if a VFR flight plan was filed
• 1.1 hours if an IFR flight plan was filed

Average time from the aircraft being
reported missing (LKP) to CAP locating and
recovering:
• 62.6 hours if no flight plan was filed
• 18.2 hours if a VFR flight plan was filed
• 11.5 hours if an IFR flight plan was filed
What’s the Rush?

What do these statistics tell us?
• We must take each mission seriously!
• Strive to do everything better, smarter and faster!
 Training,
practice and pre-planning help us
accomplish these goals
 Also tells us, as pilots, to always file a flight
plan
Leaving Home Base
NOTE: Mission Pilots may skip the portions that
were covered in Chapter 12, Phases of Flight
Proper uniforms per CAPM 39-1
 Required credentials
 Current charts for the entire trip (gridded, if
you have them)
 Personal supplies and money
 Equipment such as cell phone and flashlights
(including spare batteries)
 Charts and maps

Leaving Home Base
Check the Weight and balance, CO monitor
& Fire Extinguisher status, fuel reserve and
management plan, Discrepancy Log
 Tie-downs, chocks, Pitot cover and engine
plugs
 Equipment such as fuel tester, survival kit,
binoculars, sick sacks, and cleaning supplies

Leaving Home Base


Obtain briefing and file FAA Flight Plan
Complete “Inbound” 104 and get released by FRO
Leaving Home Base
“IMSAFE”
 Illness
 Medication
 Stress
 Alcohol
 Fatigue
 Emotion
FRO
Checklist
(60-1)
Pre-flight begins even before
you even get to the aircraft
Pre-flight begins even before
you even get to the aircraft
Preflight


Check the aircraft: Pre-flight (e.g., CAPF 71, CAP Aircraft
Inspection Checklist)
Check the date and starting Tach & Hobbs times to ensure
you won't exceed:
• mid-cycle oil change (40-60 hours, not to exceed four months)
• 100-hour/Annual
• 24-month Transponder inspection, Pitot-Static system inspection,
Altimeter calibration, & ELT inspection/Battery replacement date
• 30-day VOR check for IFR flight


Check the AD compliance list
Fill in the CAP flight log
Preflight





Check the Discrepancy Log; ensure no discrepancy makes
the aircraft unsafe for flight or reduces your ability to
accomplish the mission
Verify any outstanding discrepancies during your aircraft
preflight. If new discrepancies are discovered, log them
and ensure the aircraft is still airworthy and mission ready
During loading, ensure that all supplies and equipment
correspond to what you used in your Weight & Balance
Windshield and windows are clean, and that the chocks, tiedowns, and Pitot tube covers/engine plugs are stowed
Check and test special equipment
Preflight
Preflight
Preflight
Check parking area for obstacles, arrange for
marshaller or wing-walker
 The mission pilot will perform the passenger
briefing and review the emergency egress
procedure. The pilot should also brief the crew on
the fuel management plan and assumptions, and
assign responsibility for inquiring about fuel status
once an hour.
 The pilot will review the taxi plan and taxiway
diagram, and assign crew responsibilities for taxi
 Once everyone is settled in, organize the cockpit
and review the "Engine Fire on Start" procedure

Departure
Always use the checklists; use the
challenge/response method
 Seat belts and shoulder harness (always <1000
AGL)
 Collision avoidance! An increasing number of taxi
mishaps are the number one trend in CAP.
Investigations reveal that pilots are: straying from
designated taxi routes, not allowing adequate
clearance, not considering the tail and wings
during turns, taxiing too fast for conditions, taxiing
with obscured visibility, distracted by cockpit
duties, and not using other crewmembers to
ensure clearance.

Departure

CAPR 60-1 taxi rules:
• Taxi no faster than a slow walk when within 10 feet of obstacles
• Maintain at least 50' behind light single-engine aircraft, 100' behind
small multi-engine and jet aircraft, and 500' behind heavies and taxiing
helicopters


Go over the crew assignments for takeoff and departure and
make sure each crewmember knows in which direction they
should be looking during each.
Remind the crew that midair collisions are most likely to
occur in daylight VFR conditions within five miles of an
airport at or below 3,000’ AGL! This means that most midair
collisions occur in or near the traffic pattern. Since the pilot
has only one set of eyes, this (and aircraft design) leaves
several 'blind spots' that the observer and scanner must
cover -- particularly between your 4 and 8 o'clock positions.
Departure




Be sure and include the DF unit's Alarm light self-test in your
scan during startup. The light should blink for several
seconds; if it doesn't your unit may be inoperative.
Ensure that the DF, Audio Panel and FM radio are set up
properly. If possible, perform an FM radio check. Select
your initial VOR radial(s) and GPS setting (e.g., destination or
flight plan).
Obtain ATIS and Clearance (read back all clearances and
hold-short instructions). Then verify the crosswind limitation.
Set up the navigational instruments (e.g., VOR radials and
GPS destination, entry points and waypoints)
Once you begin taxiing, check your brakes
Departure






Sterile cockpit rules are now in effect
Keep the checklist close at hand, open to Emergency
Procedures
Check for landing aircraft before taking the active
At takeoff, start the Observer Log with the time and Hobbs for
"Wheels Up“
The FAA's "operation lights on" encourages pilots to keep
aircraft lights on when operating within 10 miles of an airport,
or wherever flocks of birds may be expected
While departing the airport environs practice collision
avoidance and maintain the sterile cockpit until well clear of
traffic and obstacles. The pilot should use shallow S-turns
and lift a wing before turns to check for traffic. The crew
must keep each other appraised of conflicting aircraft and
obstacles
Arrival at Mission Base
Obtain ATIS (or AWOS) as soon as possible. May
be able to contact mission base on FM radio.
 Review taxi plan/airport taxi diagram and make
crew assignments for approach, landing and taxi
 Make sure each crewmember knows in which
direction they should be looking during each.
Remind the crew that midair collisions are most
likely to occur in daylight VFR conditions within
five miles of an airport at or below 3,000’ AGL! This
means that most midair collisions occur in the
traffic pattern, with over half occurring on final
approach
 Sterile cockpit rules are now in effect

Arrival at Base – Basic Airport
Traffic Pattern
Arrival at Mission Base
 Practice
collision avoidance by turning the
aircraft exterior lights on when within 10
miles of the airport. The pilot should use
shallow S-turns and lift a wing before turns
to check for traffic.
Read back all
clearances and hold-short instructions
 Defer after-landing checks until clear
 Log and report "Wheels Down"
 Watch for Marshallers and follow their
directions, signal Ignition Switch OFF (hold
keys out the window) so they can chock
Arrival at Mission Base
(with style)
Arrival at Mission Base

Secure the aircraft:
• Avionics/Control lock, Master Switch OFF
• Tie-downs, chocks, Pitot tube cover and engine plugs
• Close windows, Fuel Selector Switch in 'Right' or 'Left,' and Parking Brake
OFF; remove personal items and special equipment; lock the doors and
baggage compartment.
Oil & fuel, clean windows and leading edges
 Close FAA flight plan, call FRO
 Check aircrew and aircraft into the mission
 Complete “Inbound” 104
 Get sortie assignment
 Determine food and lodging

General Briefing
 Mission
objective and status
 Safety and hazards
 Mission base procedures
 Weather
 Frequencies
 Code words
Operational Risk
Management
 Accomplish
the mission with the least
possible risk.
 More than common sense, more than just
a safety program.
 Educated (informed) risk versus taking a
gamble.
 Part of the CAP culture.
ORM – Six Steps
 Identify
the hazards
 Assess the risks
 Analyze risk control measures
 Make control decisions
 Implement risk controls
 Supervise and review
ORM Principles
 Accept
no unnecessary risks.
 Make risk decisions at the appropriate
level.
 Accept risk when the benefits outweigh
the costs.
 Integrate
ORM into CAP practices,
procedures, and planning at all levels.
ORM and the Aircrew
Acknowledge risks in order to deal with them.
 Each crewmember is responsible to look for risks.
 Don’t ignore risks; if you can’t eliminate or
reduce the risk, tell someone.
 PIC has ultimate authority and responsibility to
deal with risks during the sortie.
 PIC has the responsibility to inform his or her
crew of the risks involved, and to listen to and
address their concerns.

Aircrew Briefing

Sortie Objectives

Weather

Altitudes

Duties
CAPF
104
Front
- Flight Plan
- Briefing form
QUESTIONS?
Preparing to Leave on a Sortie
 Check
in with briefing officer
 Check in with air operations
 Present 104 to flight line supervisor
 Pilot pre-flights aircraft
 Observer checks mission equipment and
supplies
 Review flight time and duty limitations
 Final restroom visit
Preparing to Leave on a Sortie
 Pilot’s
•
•
•
•
•
briefing:
Seat belts and shoulder harness, no smoking
Emergency egress procedure
Fuel management plan and assumptions
Taxi plan/diagram, crew assignments
Startup and Taxi emergency procedures
• When sterile cockpit rules are in effect
 When
more than one flight is accomplished by the
same crew during the day, subsequent briefings
are not required to be so detailed but must, at a
minimum, highlight differences and changes from
the original briefing
Preparing to Leave on a Sortie
 If
this is the first sortie of the day the
observer will perform an FM radio check
with mission base; you may also perform a
DF functional check if this is an ELT search.
Other special equipment should also be
tested before the first sortie.
 Enter sortie settings into the GPS
(destination or flight plan, entry points and
waypoints)
Taxi Mishaps


Becoming a bigger problem each year (#1 trend in CAP)
Pilots are:
• straying from designated taxi routes
• not allowing adequate clearance and not considering the tail and
wings during turns
• taxiing too fast for conditions and taxiing with obscured visibility
• distracted by cockpit duties
• not using other crewmembers to ensure clearance

Strategies:
•
•
•
•
Thorough planning and preparation eliminates distractions
Crew assignments for taxi
Treat taxiing with the seriousness it deserves
Sterile cockpit rules
Taxi and Departure






The sterile cockpit rules begin at this time
Startup, taxi and departure were covered earlier
If there are flight line Marshallers, they will expect you to turn
on your rotating beacon and signal the impending engine
start before starting the engine. You are also expected to
signal (e.g., turn on your pulse light or flash your taxi/landing
light) before beginning to taxi.
Observer begins Observer Log with time and Hobbs, reports
“Wheels Up”
Takeoff, climb and departure were covered earlier
Once clear of the airport/controlled airspace environs the
crew settles into the transit phase
During the Sortie
Depending on circumstances (e.g., the airspace is
still congested or multiple obstacles are present)
the sterile cockpit rules are normally suspended at
this time.
The aircrew maintains situational
awareness at all times during the flight
 Double-check navigational settings that will be used
in the search area, review search area terrain and
obstacles, review methods to reduce crew fatigue
during the search or to combat high altitude effects.
 Update in-flight weather, file PIREPs, periodically
check navigational equipment against each other
to detect abnormalities or failures

During the Sortie
The pilot should stabilize the aircraft at the assigned
search heading, altitude and airspeed at least two
miles before you enter the search area, and turn
sufficient aircraft exterior lights on to maximize
visibility (so others can "see and avoid")
 Observer logs and reports “Entering the Search
Area,” primary duty is now Scanner
 Periodic “Ops Normal” reports, Observer asks about
fuel status and altimeter setting at least hourly
 Scanner and observer logs, sketches

During the Sortie
During the actual search or assessment, the aircrew
must be completely honest with each other
concerning their own condition and other factors
affecting search effectiveness.
If you missed
something, or think you saw something, say so. If
you have a question, ask.
 If target spotted notify mission base immediately;
begin recovery ASAP
 Mission commander monitors for fatigue, ensures
crew drinks enough fluids, schedules breaks

Return to Base
 When
the aircraft completes its mission
and leaves the search area, the observer
notes the time and the Hobbs reading and
reports "Leaving the Search Area“
 Double-check heading and altitude with
what was assigned for transit to the next
search area or return to base.
 Reorganize the cockpit in preparation for
approach and landing.
 Approach,
landing and arrival were
covered earlier
Return to Base
 Check
back in and take a break
 Drawings or markings made on charts or
maps should be transferred onto the CAPF
104 or attached to it
 Make sure everything is clear and legible
 The two most common entries overlooked
when completing the CAP flight plan (front
side of the CAPF 104) are "ATD" (actual
time of departure) and "Actual LDG Time."
CAPF
104
Reverse
Debriefing
Note both Positive and Negative results
 Use the reverse of CAPF 104
 Used to determine how effective the search
was:

•
•
•
•

Weather — shadows, visibility, snow cover
Terrain — open, flat, mountainous, rough
Ground Cover — barren, forest, scrub, sparse, dense
Other information — hazards, changes from plan
Used to calculate the “probability of
detection” that is used for subsequent search
planning
Debriefing
 Complete
the reverse side of the CAPF 104
 Discuss items on the 104
 Assemble attachments
 Report to debriefer
 Be TOTALLY HONEST during the debriefing
Debriefing
 Crew
comments about effectiveness
 Crew remarks of SAR effectiveness
 Times (and Hobbs readings)
 Sketches and attachments
 Be TOTALLY HONEST during the debriefing
End of the Mission
 Turn
in equipment and supplies
 Settle fuel, food and lodging bills
 Plan the trip home
 Fill out “Outbound” CAPF 104
 Check weather and file FAA Flight Plan
 Check out with mission staff, obtain flight
release
The Trip Home
Maintain crew discipline and continue to use
mission procedures and checklists
 SAR personnel can experience post-traumatic
stress, so look for signs (refer to CAPR 60-5)
 Once on the ground, secure the aircraft and
ready it for its next mission
 Close FAA Flight Plan
 Complete the “Outbound” 104
 Ensure ability to complete CAPF 108
 Once everyone is at home, call mission base with
Hobbs from the ‘Outbound’ 104

Local Drills and Exercises
 Easy
 Inexpensive
 Very
efficient
 Very worthwhile
 Fun
QUESTIONS?