Transcript Airmanship 1 Airfields

Airfield- an area including buildings and support
installations used for the accommodation, take-off and
landing of aircraft.
Airport – an airfields with added facilities for freight and
passengers
Aircraft manoeuvring areas – parts of the airfield which
have specially prepared for the movement of aircraft on
the ground ( taxiways, runways, aircraft servicing
platforms.
• The wind direction and
length of runway are
important
• Present trend – one long
runway or at most 2, with
longer one being
designated the ‘main
instrument runway’ (in
line with prevailing wind,
lighting, radio installations
and safety equipment)
• 3 types or Airfields
• Basic Grass Airfield
• Triangular patterned
runway
• Modern main instrument
runway
Figure 1.1
• Construction – concrete
or layers of asphalt
• Dimensions – vary
according to role
• Typical RAF airfield – 45
m wide and 1.8 km long
or more)
• Subsidiary runways –
same width but not as
long
• For Transport aircraft to
operate
• 60 m wide
• 2.7 km long
Fig 1-2
Markings
Colour
Runway Numbers
• The number indicates the
magnetic headings of the
runway direction (nearest 10 )
Examples
• 238– runway No. 24
• 058 – runway no. 06
Taxiways–yellow markings
• The magnetic heading is taken
from the direction of approach.
Therefore the heading for one
end of the runway is 180
different from the other
Markings
Threshold Markings
• Runway threshold- longitudinal
white lines painted symmetrically
about the runway centre-line
• Chevrons and a bar are added
when threshold is moved up
runway because of obstruction.
Therefore aircraft are at safe
height when it crosses obstruction
• Beginning of runway before the
threshold markings is known as
the ‘sterile area’
Centre-Line and Side-Stripe
markings
• Indicated as a broken white
line (arrowheads in the sterile
area)
• Side-stripe markings are
added to runways which have
little contrast between the
runway and the surrounding
area
Arrester Gear
• Brings aircraft to a stop in
a short distance
• Aircraft needs a hook to
engage cables
• RAF use RHAG – Rotary
Hydraulic Arrester Gear –
large paddles rotating in
liquid
Over-Run Areas and
Arrester Barriers
• Where space permits
• Over-run areas, clear of
obstacles and with a
reasonably even surface
• Can also have barriers
consisting of large strong
nets made of nylon rope
which can be raised and
lowered
Operational Readiness
Dispersal
Platforms
Hardstandings
• Specially prepared
areas (for fighters and • The aim is to spread
strike aircraft) built
the aircraft around the
alongside the end of a
airfield, to make it
runway
more difficult for
• Used for parking
enemy aircraft to
aircraft for rapid takedamage or destroy all
off (‘scramble’)or for
the parked aircraft
final flight preparation
during an attack
Aircraft Servicing
Platforms (ASPs)
Large paved areas for
the servicing and
turn-around of
aircraft.
Taxiways
Connect all the various
parts of the aircraft
manoeuvring area
and enable aircraft to
move about easily
(minimum of 15m
wide)
Taxiway markings
• Centre line- broken yellow line
• Edge marking – dashed yellow line - where there is little
contrast between the taxiway and the surrounding area
• Holding position- At a junction of a taxiway with a
runway, taxiing aircraft are required to ‘hold’ until it is
safe to move onto the runway. Indicated by two yellow
lines, one solid and one broken. It is painted at right
angles to the taxiways centre line and 70m from the
nearest edge of the runway. The holding position sign
displays the runway number in black on a yellow
background (old) or white on a red background (new)
Windsock
• Normally there are two or
more windsocks on an
airfield to provide a quick
and easy way of
indicating wind direction
• Positioned away from
trees and buildings which
may cause local wind
turbulence
• The principle windsock
has a white ring round its
base
Obstructions
• May be permanent
(building) or temporary
(mechanical digger)
• Clearly marked by day
and night
• Vehicles may be painted
with red and white
squares and have yellow
roofs or be equipped with
a flashing amber or blue
lights
Airfield Identification
• Each airfield is identified
by means of two letters.
(i.e SY for Shawsbury)
• Displayed in a ‘signal
square’ close to the ATC
tower
• Identification beacons
flash the same letters in
Morse Code
Airfield lighting
• Lights are designed to
assist pilots to taxi aircraft
safely and to take-off and
land on the runway in use
• Many of the lights will be
hooded so that they can
only be seen from a
certain angle.
• The main types of lighting are:
• Airfield Identification Beacon- flashed the airfield identification letters
in Morse code using a high intensity red light.
• Obstruction Lights – All high buildings, towers, hangers, both on and
in the vicinity of the airfield, are marked by red obstruction lights
• Flood lighting- ASPs are often lit by powerful flood lights set on
pylons
• Holding position – these signs are illuminated at night by their own
internal lighting
• Taxiway Lights – less than 18m wide, marked by blue edge lights
along each side- 18m or more are marked only along the centre line
and the lights are green
• Approach lighting- installed outside the airfield boundary and often
set on poles, to form a special pattern (see picture) This pattern
helps the pilot judge the aircraft’s height and to line up with the
runway on the approach to land. In poor visibility or a night it helps
the pilot to find the approach path visually towards the end of a radio
or radar-controlled approach.
• Threshold lights- marked by a row of green lights across the runway
at the touchdown end. Plus ‘wings’ of three green lights on each
side of the runway. ‘wings’ are omitted if the threshold is displaced
up the runway.
• Runway lights- Main runway have high-intensity unidirectional edge
lights. Plus come omnidirectional edge lights to help pilots in the
circuit judge their position.
• Sample questions
• We fly at 6AEF – air experience flight at RAF
Benson
• AEFs are equipped with GROB Tutor aircraft
• They are single engined, low winged
monoplanes.
• They hold 33 gallons of aviation gasoline in two
tanks in the wings (2 ½ flying hours) (some fast
jets use this amount of fuel taxiing to the end of the
runway)
• They are equipped with a 180 hp Lycoming
engine and can fly at a maximum of 185 kts
Other features
• Steerable nose wheel – brakes are on the
two main wheels
• Side-by side seating with dual controlspilot/cadet can have full control – cadets
are in the left seat
• Body made of carbon reinforced plasticmust walk of the marked ‘walking strip’
provided (on wing)
Other features
• 2 radios - air- to - ground
- air- to - air
• One UHF and one VHF band
DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ANY
SETTINGS
TOUCH NOTHING IN THE COCKPIT
‘Instruments’ – indicate what the
aircraft is doing
Atitude Indicator
Airspeed Indicator
Altimeter
Rate of Climb &
Descent Indicator
Turn & Slip
Indicator
Horizontal
Situation Indicator
‘Controls’ – used to manoeuvre the
aircraft
Control Column ‘stick’
Ailerons
Ailerons on wings
‘Rolling Plane’
-Move left (port) and right
(starboard)
Control Column ‘stick’
Elevators
Elevator on tail
‘Pitching Plane’
-Move up and down
Rudder Pedals
-at pilot’s feet
-causes aircraft to ‘Yaw’
-Used to turn without banking
-Used during aerobatics or to
maintain balanced flight
Engine Instruments
RPM
Revolutions per second
20 gives 2,000 rpm
Manifold Pressure
How much power is being supplied
by the engine
(responds to throttle movements)
Temperature and
Pressures
Of engine
Engine Controls
Throttle
Pushed forward increases engine
output
RPM Control
Blue lever to right of throttle
- rpm of engine
- efficiency of propeller
Mixture Control
Red lever next to RPM
-fuel/air ratio
Other Controls
Wheel Brakes
Left of right to control steering on
ground while taxiing in confined
areas
-both used to brake
Flaps
Used on approach to landing
-To lower approach speed (safety)
-- To lower nose attitude- better
vision
-Located on rear inner edge of
each wing
Elevator Trimmer
To make fine adjustments to
elevator so that aircraft can be
flown at selected pitch attitude with
pressure on the stick
• Sample Questions
Pre-flight Briefing
• A successful flight is dependent on
preparation by the captain and crew
before take-off.
• They must understand the objective of the
flight in order to make it safe and efficient.
• A Nimrod brief many take many hours,
whereas a short flight in a simple aircraft in
a local area, would only require a short
brief.
Your Responsibility
• To learn about Airfields and
Instruments/Controls in the Tutor
• To listen carefully to the film before your
flight
• Stay in party and keep a look out.
Your Briefing at AEF
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The aim of the exercise
Fitting and operation of parachutes
Fitting and operation of protective helmet
Fitting and operation of aircraft safety harness
Checking for loose articles
Action to be taken in an emergency – abandoning
aircraft
Can/Cannot touch in Aircraft
Basic Operation of aircraft radio
The local flying area
Weather conditions
Precaution of the ground in aircraft manoeuvring area
Medical aspects of flying
Aim of the exercise
• Initially - to introduce you to the aircraft
and familiarise you with the cockpit
environment
• Effect of some of the aircraft controls
• May have a chance to fly the aircraft
• As experience is gained – other aspects
will be introduced, such as turning and
aerobatics
Parachute
• Back type – parachute, 2 leg straps, chest
strap connecting the shoulder straps and
rip chord and handle
• Fitting
• Connect chest strap first
• Leg straps individually- between legs and clip
fasteners to rings situated at waist level outside hip
joints
• Adjustment – lengthen and shortening 4
adjuster straps.
• Method of release – Quick release
• Release chest strap first
• Slide metal cover sideways using the thumb
catches to unlock the two halves
• Then release leg straps
Aircraft Safety Harness
• Attached to air craft
• It is to ensure that you stay in seat of
aircraft when inverted, plus it provides
crash protection!
• 5 adjustable straps – 2 shoulder, 2 lap and
1 from centre of seat with quick release
box at free end.
• Fitting – loosen adjustable flap straps and
insert 4 adjustable harness lugs
Aircraft Safety Harness
• Adjustment –
• Pull on free ends of lap strap tightly at possible
• Pull down shoulder straps
• Finally the 5th strap is tightened – negative G strap
• Method of release – depress yellow thumb
catch then turn knob 60 left or right
Loose Article Check
• Loose articles – if dropped in cockpit could
lead to dangerous situation if not
recovered
• Numerous accidents are blamed on
foreign objects left by careless people
• They foul flying controls and cause serious
accidents
• Remove all objects from pockets before
• If you drop something report it!
• DO NOT PANIC
• DO AS YOU ARE TOLD
• You must know what to do if the
decision is made to abandon the
aircraft
– They will give the warning order
‘Check Parachutes’
– They will jettison the canopy
– They will give the order ‘JUMP
JUMP’
• On given the order to ‘JUMP LUMP’
• Release the Aircraft Safety Harness - Not your
parachute!
• Stand up in the cockpit and dive head first over
the trailing edge of the wing
• When clear of the aircraft pull the metal ‘D Ring’
attached to the rip cord – (it comes out a long so
be sure to pull it to its fullest extent)
• Bend your legs and roll on landing
Precautions on the ground
• Keep alert with your eyes and ears open
when walking about
• Beware of propeller discs
• Keep a good look out for moving aircraft at
all times and move only where you are told
you may go
Medical Aspects
• As altitude increases the air pressure reduces
• The human body normally adjusts without
difficulty
• However, with a cold, discomfort may well be
experienced in the ears and sinuses
• Blocked tubes can prevent pressures form
equalising or your ears form clearing, sometimes
with painful results
• RAF aircrew do not fly in these circumstances
and you must not do so either
• Sample Questions
• We glide at 615 VGS in Kenley
• It provides glider training for cadets
• The Viking glider has tandem seating for
the crew with dual controls, the instructor
occupying the rear seat
• Physical limitations
– Minimum weight for gliding is 48kg
– Maximum weight for gliding is 103 kg
• You begin to gliding with a gliding induction
course (GIC) or air experience gliding (AEG)
• Opportunities for pilot training will follow on the
gliding scholarship (GS) course, and cadets who
show an aptitude for gliding are able to fly solo
at or above the age of 16 years
• After flying solo there are opportunities to carry
out your advanced gliding training (AGT) and
some may eventually become Flight Staff
Cadets and gliding instructors
• When you go gliding at 615 VGS,
individuals are given clearly defined
duties, which they must carry out
responsibly!
• This is so that gliders can be launched
safely and, after landing, brought back to
the launch point.
• Glider’s controls and control surfaces are like those of a
conventional aircraft.
• In addition, winch gliders have
– A yellow toggle which the pilot pulls to release the cable when
the glider has reached the top of the launch
– A lever to operate the air brakes
Air Brakes
• When extended they
increase the drag and
reduce the lift, allowing the
glider to descend more
quickly without increasing
the speed.
• This allows the pilot to land
in a much smaller space
than would otherwise be
possible
Seat Harness
• A five point harness fitted
to each seat
• Occupants can strap
themselves securely to
the seat
Flight Instruments
• A glider is normally flown
by visual reference to the
horizon
• However, four flight
instruments are fitted for
accuracy
1. Airspeed indicator
2. Altimeter
3. Turn and slip indicator
4. Variometer
• Specific to gliders
• Purpose is to indicate
whether the glider is
losing or gaining height.
• It is invaluable in helping
the pilot find rising air,
and to stay in it to prolong
the flight
• Fig 4.4
Launching
• A glider has no
engine and must be
accelerated to its
flying speed some
other way
• The most common
method is the winch
launch
• Rarely aero-towing is
used
The winch
• A drum on which is
wound about 1500m
of strong flexible steel
cable
• The drum is turned by
a powerful engine
which the winch driver
controls through an
automatic gearbox
‘ALL OUT’ for Take Off
• Winch is located close to the upwind boundary
of the airfield
• Cable is attached to the rear of a motor vehicle
and drawn out to the launch point
• When the pilot is ready the cable it attached to
the glider
• The pilot checks there is no hazard from behind,
by asking the wing tip holders (YOU!)
‘ALL CLEAR ABOVE AND BEHIND’
• Then Calls ‘TAKE UP SLACK’
• The winch driver is signalled using either lamp signals or
radio
• On receiving the signal the winch driver slowly reels in
the cable until it is taut
• When the pilot is ready he will order ‘ALL OUT’
• The signaller signals the winch driver who opens the
winch throttle to wind the cable in
• The cable pulls the glider forward and after a short
distance it become airborne
• Initially the glider climbs gently, but the attitude quickly
steepens
• When the cable is about 70 to the horizontal, the pilot
releases it and is then free to commence the gliding
exercise
• Winch driver
• When released the cable falls to earth, steadied
by a small parachute
• It is then reeled in by the winch driver for the
next launch
• The height gained by the glider depends on wind
speed, speed at which the cable is being wound
and the length of the cable being used
• A rough estimate - 1,000m cable gives a 1,000m
launch height and a launch last 4 to 10 minutes.
Soaring and Thermals
• Soaring is the art of finding rising air and , then
using it to gain height, thus prolonging the flight.
• Thermals are caused by uneven heating of the
earth on hot, sunny days.
• Green fields, woods and lakes do not heat up
rapidly
• Concrete or tarmac areas will become much
hotter than the surrounding green fields
• The air over the concrete will therefore rise (like
a hot air balloon); this rising air is called a
Thermal
• Fig 4-7
• Thermals are not continuous- the warm air being
released in the form of bubbles which rise at
intervals like invisible air balloons
• A cumulus clouds give pilots a good idea of
where thermals are forming.
• If thermal activity is suspected the pilot will keep
an eye on the variometer and when he finds
rising air the pilot will try to circle in it and gain
height
• This requires considerable skill and experience
to get maximum use of thermals
• Rising air can also be
found on the
windward side of hills
• When the surface
wind strikes the face
of a hill or ridge it will
be deflected upwards,
becoming an upcurrent
• Area of exercise picture
• Sample Questions