CNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEF

1. CNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEF Cecil Field / USS Harry S TrumanNovember 2009

2. WX Recce • WX Recce Procedures: As per the smart pack • Verify distance to ship from divert. • Bases, tops? Sections vs. Divisions? • Ship may have you check other area’s for better wx. Don’t launch late. • Over fly divert to verify field status and weather. • Climb to bingo altitude once distance is known and check winds. • May have to prestage at Mayport/Savannah for weather

3. General Lead Safe Responsibilities • Safety of flight to and from the carrier • Give thorough CNATRA STAN CQ brief to students (i.e. use the CNATRA PowerPoint brief) • Advise and update the Boss on weather conditions • Monitor SNA fuel states and position in the pattern – PRIMARILY UPWIND • Advise Boss and/or direct action if an unsafe situation develops • Monitor Bingo/Divert student departure from pattern. Don’t let them cut someone off in the pattern or at the initial • Escort Bingo/Emergency SNA to the beach

4. The Brief • As per the CNATRA STAN • Additional points: • SNA’s: ALWAYS hook-up for 2 T&G’s initially unless told by the tower. After that, stud is hook down unless told otherwise • Make sure the studs know their requirements and limitations • Pass to studs that they don’t have to ask for a Rep on BTN 18. Just go ahead and call BTN 18

5. The Brief (cont.) • Make sure the studs know what to do if they need to slide • Stud should go in the next available division. They should NOT wait for the late safe unless the next division is full • The studs should have all three divisions TAC freq’s and who is leading each division in case they need to roll to the next division

6. Timing – 1st Division • 1st Division per wave Take-off time = Dist/4 + 10 min • Assumes 4 nm/minute (approx 12 units) • If late, speed-up if fuel available (i.e. able to show up Bingo + 600lb), but inform the division behind you • Let the Boss know as soon as you can that you are inbound. Might just get a “Charlie on arrival” • If you cannot take-off on-time, or make your ramp as the first division of your wave, you MUST let base and ship know.

7. Timing – follow-on divisions • The goal is to have 3 new studs in the break every 15 minutes. Therefore, for follow-on divisions: • Communicate with the other divisions • If everyone is flying 4 NM/min and the division in-front of you… • …had 3 studs, t/o 15 minutes later • …had 2 studs, t/o 10 minutes later • …had 1 stud, t/o 5 minutes later. You will probably be charlied with the previous section

8. Timing (cont.) • DO NOT BUSTER TO MAKE YOUR TIME AND THEN END UP WITH LESS THAN BINGO + 600LB ON THE BALL • IT DOES US NO GOOD FOR YOU TO BE ON-TIME AND OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!

9. Enroute • Inform divisions behind of ships position and your speed • Keep apprised of your fuel and timing. • Feet Wet Checks!!!! • Make sure YOU and your studs complete. • How’s the weather?

10. 20 miles from ship • Switch division to Lead Safe Common (BTN 17) in the back radio and check-in • De-conflict with other divisions • Time your descent as appropriate. Don’t be at 20,000FT, 20 miles from the ship if you are expecting to charlie on time • If you can see the ship, request for Marshall to let you switch to BTN 1 for a check-in with the Boss. You may be able to Charlie-on-arrival, especially if you are the first division of the wave

11. “Charlie” • Once you get the call from the Boss: • “IF” you have the gas, accelerate. It should take about 8 minutes • Perform the penetration…210º relative to BRC. Make a commencing call on the back radio and start your descent. Start your turn at 7 miles to arrive at a 7 mile initial

12. Spinning • Be extremely precise and smooth • Spin at the bow • Don’t confuse depart and re-enter with spinning • Don’t balloon • A great potential for a mid-air with a lead safe at 2k. • Make sure your chicks come with you • Let them know you are spinning • Direct them all to take VFR parade so they don’t balloon up to 1600 FT • Remember – even if directed, don’t spin 2… Dash 3 stud is not allowed to lead anythin

13. Lead Safe Stack – Case I • Holding Altitudes - 2K, 3K, 4K, 5K; unless WX dictates. • WX considerations • When to go CASE II • 3K layer, still Case I, does 4K guy go above layer or below layer • Tac wing? • Bosco / Boss will manage

14. 1- 3 SNAs in Pattern 4 nm 4k L/S Fuel conserve just outside of pattern 2 nm 2k and 3k L/S 3K should be across circle from 2K

15. Lead Safe Responsibilities if: 1- 3 SNAs in Pattern • 2 K • Primary Control of upwind Pattern • 3 K • Backup other L/S (Cross Circle), maintain Big Picture • 4 K • Max Endurance AOA • Stay just outside of pattern (not 5 miles away!!!) • Maintain big picture • If told to hawk – Lead Safe in best position, not necessarily lowest altitude, should take the hawk unless directed by the tower

16. > 4 SNAs in Pattern 4 nm 2k L/S 4k L/S Just outside of pattern 2 nm 3k L/S

17. Lead Safe Responsibilities if: > 4 SNAs in Pattern • 2 K • Help direct pattern greater than 2nm fwd bow • Primarily responsibility - interval • 3 K • Watch pattern from bow to 2 nm fwd • Primarily responsibility - keeping SNAs from cutting out their interval • 4 K • Max Endurance AOA • Stay just outside of the pattern • Maintain Big Picture SA • Help low and middle Lead Safes where needed

18. Lead Safe COMM • Good Calls: • “at xx dme, continue upwind. You are cutting out your interval” • “at xx dme, turn” • “approaching the bow, your wide” • Bad calls/technique: • “turn” • “number one upwind, turn” • “back to the right/left” without a direction of who you are referring to. • “Level your wings”

19. Case II Considerations • Penetrate overcast/thick layers with sections only (1 SNA)…No heavy sections / No light divisions!! (pumpkin/3710) • Six studs (max) during Case 2 Ops • Options: Depends on wx at Cecil and at ship Beach / Bosco will coordinate • Bucket brigade possible if Case II holding. Lead safes drop off dash 3 in holding. Penetrate with dash 2. Other lead safes sent to marshal to grab dash 3. Ship will need to be close for this method. • TCN Rendezvous in W-158/157. (If wx precludes division rendezvous out of Cecil) • Lead Safes bring out a single stud in sections

20. Case II Considerations cont. • Spin pattern should be closed, but if told, it’s a MAJOR mid-air potential with the Lead Safe’s • Bottom two Lead Safe’s can be in TAC Wing, opposite circle or lead follow. Bottom line, only one Lead Safe is actually doing the job. The second is responsible for safe separation. Make sure you define rolls over the radio. Also, don’t work TAC Wing too low. Advise Wilbur/Boss if wx precludes this method • Third and Fourth Lead Safe should be above the layer, on deck, or part of the bucket brigade

21. BINGO Procedures • The Bingo should be taken by the Lead Safe who is in the best position…NOT necessarily the one on the bottom of the stack • Communicate with each other, and tell the Boss who’s got the Bingo, unless he specifically assigned someone • DIRECT the stud onto the bingo profile, • “Configure, take airspeed XXX, turn to heading YYY, climb at XXX airspeed, Switch 22 in the back radio, Squawk EMERG, Level off at ZZ,ZZZ ft and set your power at QQQQ lb/hr.” Ensure you understand whether divert or bingo, and where you are going

22. BINGO Procedures cont. • DO: • All radio calls coordinating with ATC • Call divert tower ASAP to let them know you are inbound with a bingo and whether or not you need an LSO • Talk to the LSO on the radio and relate the problem • DO NOT • Make the SNA join on you • Lead the student into the break or tell him to go into the break. They should be doing a visual straight in • Allow ATC to level you off at a lower altitude than the profile or ask you to deviate from the heading. You are on an EMERGENCY. Make everyone else get out of your way

23. Late Safe • Responsible for taking any stragglers that could not launch with previous divisions • Do not launch until last division of SNA’s has launched! • 1st Late Safe of a 3.0-hour block - “LATE SAFE TURNING SPARE” • Only launch if a SNA falls out of previous division, then you will take them to the boat

24. Late Safe (cont.) • Late Safe: 2nd Late Safe of a 3-hour block • Wait to launch until the last student launches • Unlike the LSTS (late safe turning spare), launch even without a stud if all studs got off of the deck. We will need you as the 4th lead safe overhead • If jet is down for maintenance, get another jet and go late • If you cannot make it any reason…let the OIC/ship know. They may hold over an earlier Lead Safe as a spare

25. Gotcha’s • Being late - Make your ramp time! • Not having pattern SA when the division proceeds to the break (Lead Safes help out leads at initial with pattern calls) • Watch your abeam distance and set the studs up properly. Too many TWAB’s from lead safes • Don’t go long in the groove • There is no Top 10 patch for CNATRA Lead Safes: • Be safe, fly the cresting ball, and get aboard the first time every time • Fair’s are acceptable. No grades/cut passes are not!

26. Gotcha’s cont. • Proper clearing turns. • Get the jet flying, then turn • 20º AOB for 20º HDG change • No shit hot turns • Give extra interval on a stud (shoot for 1+15 at a minimum because they are going to be TWA, Deep 90, LIG) • Be smart on conserving gas in lead safe pattern. • Bring an overnight bag • Everyone is eligible. Bosco may ask preferences. Warn your backseater! • Be ready to conduct AM boat brief if you stay aboard overnight • Bring your pubs (plates and smartpacks). • Lead safe common chat on BTN 17. Keep it clean, suitable for public consumption. The ship listens!

27. Guest flyer /Back seater considerations • If you are not comfortable flying guest fliers, let your det OIC/AOIC know. But not 5 minutes prior to the brief time. • Back seater review items • Strap-in Procedures / Proper leg restraint position • Cockpit switches to watch for • Manual Fuel Control / Anti-Skid Switch • Comm / ICS use and adjustment • Seat Height and Rudder Pedal adjustment • Feet off brakes on trap! • Lead safe workload • Overnight gear • Flight Deck Safety / FOD concerns • Mask on while taxing on flight deck • Ejection Procedures

28. Prior Boat Notables • Two studs got on the brakes on their traps. Both times, tires smoked pretty bad • One stud bullseye’d his tires at the end of the cat stroke. Diverted to NRB and blew both tires on trap. Launch bar switch in wrong position • Lead safe initiated depart and re-enter at initial. Turned hard left at initial upon call • Lead safes (multiple times) too wide abeam! You are not helping your studs • Students not wiping out controls, rudders on cat • Lead safes having lights on

29. Prior Boat Notables • Lead safes changing requirements the morning of CQ on the boat. Read the qual roster and fix prior to det!!!! Verify your requirements and qual number • Studs are still turning off the bow when staying in the pattern • T-45C studs still walking slow to jets. Get up there 45 minutes prior! Slow alignments

30. HST/November Notables • Truman Mini loves to lip lock studs off the cat • Truman Boss asks for everyone who needs a rep to go directly to BTN 18. You do not have to ask for permission on BTN 1 • One lead safe scared the Tower in August with a horrible break. No SH breaks! Mentioned by the ship at the presail • NAS Mayport closed 08 November for airshow. TFR in effect. Also closed on 11 November for Veterans Day. Be ready to use NAS Jax, Jax Int’l and Savannah Int’l

31. HST/November Notables • IKE (CVN-69) and Nassau (LHA-4) are in the area. IKE/CVW-7 are involved with C2X. Beware! • IKE : W-158 - Nassau : W-157 • CNATRA will use W-157 3X and 4X • NAS Mayport TFR for airshow • 08 November • If in 3X, divert will probably shift to Savannah Int’l

32. Routes to W-157 Daily DD-175 to NAS Jax Base-ops To W-157 from VQQ VQQ REQ 130 CRG OCNOP NIP050055 (DELAY2+30) From W-157 to VQQ REQ 120 W157A NIP050055 SUBER VQQ Important to avoid AA/BB HST/November Notables

33. Routes to W-157 HST/November Notables

34. Routes from W-157 HST/November Notables

35. Do not land on these ships!!

36. Keep’em safe