CNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEFCNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEF

NAS Key West / USS Harry S. Truman NAS Key West / USS Harry S. Truman February 2011 February 2011

• Overall CNATRA OIC – CDR Doster, VT-7Overall CNATRA OIC – CDR Doster, VT-7

• CNATRA CVOIC – CDR Griffith, VT-9CNATRA CVOIC – CDR Griffith, VT-9

• TW-2 OIC – CDR Kelsey, VT-21TW-2 OIC – CDR Kelsey, VT-21

• TW-1 AOIC – LT Moore, VT-7TW-1 AOIC – LT Moore, VT-7

• TW-2 AOIC – LT Brant, VT-22TW-2 AOIC – LT Brant, VT-22

LeadershipLeadership

• WX Recce Procedures - As per the smart packWX Recce Procedures - As per the smart pack– Verify distance to ship from divert Verify distance to ship from divert – Bases, tops? Sections vs. Divisions?Bases, tops? Sections vs. Divisions?– Ship may request recce of other area’s for better Ship may request recce of other area’s for better

wx. Don’t launch latewx. Don’t launch late– Over fly divert to verify field status and weatherOver fly divert to verify field status and weather

• Ensure Field LSO is on stationEnsure Field LSO is on station

– Climb to bingo altitude once distance is known Climb to bingo altitude once distance is known and check windsand check winds

– May have to pre-stage aircraft at another field May have to pre-stage aircraft at another field due to morning WX forecast due to morning WX forecast

WX RecceWX Recce

General Lead Safe General Lead Safe ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities• Safety of flight to and from the carrierSafety of flight to and from the carrier

• Give thorough CNATRA STAN CQ brief to students Give thorough CNATRA STAN CQ brief to students (i.e. use the CNATRA PowerPoint brief)(i.e. use the CNATRA PowerPoint brief)

• Advise and update the Boss on weather conditionsAdvise and update the Boss on weather conditions

• Monitor SNA fuel states and position in the pattern – Monitor SNA fuel states and position in the pattern – PRIMARILY UPWINDPRIMARILY UPWIND

• Advise Boss and/or direct action if an unsafe Advise Boss and/or direct action if an unsafe situation developssituation develops

• Monitor Bingo/Divert student departure from Monitor Bingo/Divert student departure from pattern. Don’t let them cut someone off in the pattern. Don’t let them cut someone off in the pattern or at the initialpattern or at the initial

• Escort Bingo/Emergency SNA to the beachEscort Bingo/Emergency SNA to the beach

The BriefThe Brief

• As per the CNATRA STANAs per the CNATRA STAN

• Additional points:Additional points:– SNA’s: SNA’s: NormallyNormally hook-up for 2 T&G’s hook-up for 2 T&G’s

initially unless told otherwise by the initially unless told otherwise by the tower. After that, stud is hook down tower. After that, stud is hook down unless told otherwiseunless told otherwise

– Make sure the studs know their Make sure the studs know their requirements and flight time/man-up requirements and flight time/man-up limitationslimitations

Lead Safe ConductLead Safe Conduct

• If a student’s jet goes downIf a student’s jet goes down– Lead/safe shall not delay take-off due to Lead/safe shall not delay take-off due to

student jet issuesstudent jet issues– Stud should go in the next available Stud should go in the next available

division division – If next available division is full, stud If next available division is full, stud

should go with the late safeshould go with the late safe– Studs should have each division lead and Studs should have each division lead and

late safe’s info including side number and late safe’s info including side number and TAC freqTAC freq

Timing – 1Timing – 1stst Division Division• Try to verify ships position prior to Try to verify ships position prior to

walking via POTS line or email.walking via POTS line or email.

• 11stst division per wave take-off time division per wave take-off time

= Dist/4 + 10 min= Dist/4 + 10 min– Assumes 4 nm/minute (approx 12 units) Assumes 4 nm/minute (approx 12 units) – If late, speed-up if fuel available (i.e. able If late, speed-up if fuel available (i.e. able

to show up Bingo + 600lb), and to show up Bingo + 600lb), and strike/marshal is telling you “expect charlie strike/marshal is telling you “expect charlie on arrival”on arrival”

Timing – follow-on divisionsTiming – follow-on divisions• The goal is to have 3 new studs in The goal is to have 3 new studs in

the break every 15 minutes.the break every 15 minutes. Hence, Hence, for follow-on divisions:for follow-on divisions:– Communicate with the other divisionsCommunicate with the other divisions– If each division is flying 4 NM/min and If each division is flying 4 NM/min and

the division/flight preceding….the division/flight preceding….•……had 3 studs, take-off 15 minutes laterhad 3 studs, take-off 15 minutes later

•……had 2 studs, take-off 10 minutes laterhad 2 studs, take-off 10 minutes later

•……had 1 stud, take-off 5 minutes later had 1 stud, take-off 5 minutes later

Timing (cont.)Timing (cont.)• If unable to make an on time If unable to make an on time

departure or make your ramp as the departure or make your ramp as the first division of your wave, let first division of your wave, let CNATRA base and the ship knowCNATRA base and the ship know

• DO NOT BUSTERDO NOT BUSTER TO MAKE THE TO MAKE THE ASSIGNED RAMP TIME AND THEN ASSIGNED RAMP TIME AND THEN END UP WITH LESS THAN BINGO + END UP WITH LESS THAN BINGO + 600LB ON THE BALL600LB ON THE BALL– NOTHING GAINED BY BEING ON-TIME NOTHING GAINED BY BEING ON-TIME

AND OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!AND OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!

EnrouteEnroute

• Inform divisions behind you of ships Inform divisions behind you of ships position and your speedposition and your speed

• Keep apprised of your fuel and timingKeep apprised of your fuel and timing

• Feet Wet Checks!!!!Feet Wet Checks!!!!– Make sure YOU and your studs completeMake sure YOU and your studs complete

• Relay any weather updatesRelay any weather updates

• Stay in high holding if told to “Max Stay in high holding if told to “Max Conserve” Conserve”

20 miles from ship20 miles from ship

• Switch division to lead safe common. Switch division to lead safe common. De-conflict with other divisionsDe-conflict with other divisions

• Time the flights descent as Time the flights descent as appropriate. Don’t be at 20,000FT appropriate. Don’t be at 20,000FT and 20 miles outand 20 miles out

• As soon as you see the ship, press As soon as you see the ship, press Marshall to let you switch to BTN 1. Marshall to let you switch to BTN 1. – May be able to “charlie” immediatelyMay be able to “charlie” immediately

““Charlie”Charlie”

• Once you get the call from the Boss:Once you get the call from the Boss:– ““IF” sufficient gas, accelerate. It should not IF” sufficient gas, accelerate. It should not

take more than 8 minutes to be in the breaktake more than 8 minutes to be in the break– Penetrate 210Penetrate 210ºº relative to BRC. Make a relative to BRC. Make a

commencing call on lead/safe common (BTN commencing call on lead/safe common (BTN 17) and start descent 17) and start descent

– Commence the flight from point 3, turn at 6-Commence the flight from point 3, turn at 6-7 DME to arrive at 5 miles behind the ship.7 DME to arrive at 5 miles behind the ship.

SpinningSpinning• Be extremely precise and smoothBe extremely precise and smooth

• Spin at the bowSpin at the bow

• Don’t confuse depart and re-enter with Don’t confuse depart and re-enter with spinningspinning

• Don’t balloonDon’t balloon– Potential for a mid-air with a lead safe at 2k.Potential for a mid-air with a lead safe at 2k.

• Make sure the studs come with the lead Make sure the studs come with the lead – Review hand signals/radio calls in the briefReview hand signals/radio calls in the brief

• Remember! – even if directed, don’t spin 2… Remember! – even if directed, don’t spin 2… Dash 3 stud is not allowed to lead anything Dash 3 stud is not allowed to lead anything

Lead Safe Stack – Case ILead Safe Stack – Case I

• Holding Altitudes - 2K, 3K, 4K, 5K; Holding Altitudes - 2K, 3K, 4K, 5K; unless WX dictates. unless WX dictates. – WX considerationsWX considerations

•3K layer, still Case I. 3K layer, still Case I.

•Tac wing? Tac wing?

•CVOIC/Boss will manageCVOIC/Boss will manage

2 nm2000’/3000’ L/S

3K should be across circle from 2K

4 nm

1- 3 SNAs in Pattern

4000’ L/S

Fuel conserve just outside of pattern

Lead Safe Responsibilities if:Lead Safe Responsibilities if:1- 3 SNAs in Pattern1- 3 SNAs in Pattern

• 2000’ Lead/safe 2000’ Lead/safe – Primary Control of upwind PatternPrimary Control of upwind Pattern

• 3000’ Lead/safe3000’ Lead/safe– Backup other L/S (cross circle), maintain Big Backup other L/S (cross circle), maintain Big

PicturePicture

• 4000’ Lead/safe4000’ Lead/safe– Max Endurance Max Endurance – Stay just outside of pattern (not 5 miles away!!!)Stay just outside of pattern (not 5 miles away!!!)– Maintain big picture Maintain big picture

• If told to “hawk” – Lead/safe in best position, If told to “hawk” – Lead/safe in best position, not necessarily lowest altitude, should take not necessarily lowest altitude, should take the hawk unless directed by the tower the hawk unless directed by the tower

2 nm

3k L/S

2k L/S

4 nm

> 4 SNAs in Pattern

4k L/S

Just outside of pattern

Lead Safe Responsibilities if:Lead Safe Responsibilities if:> 4 SNAs in Pattern> 4 SNAs in Pattern

• 2000’ Lead/safe 2000’ Lead/safe – Help direct pattern greater than 2nm fwd bowHelp direct pattern greater than 2nm fwd bow– Primarily responsibility - intervalPrimarily responsibility - interval

• 3000’ Lead/safe3000’ Lead/safe– Watch pattern from bow to 2 nm fwdWatch pattern from bow to 2 nm fwd– Primarily responsibility - keeping SNAs from Primarily responsibility - keeping SNAs from

cutting out their intervalcutting out their interval• 4000’ Lead/safe4000’ Lead/safe

– Max EnduranceMax Endurance– Stay Stay just just outside of the patternoutside of the pattern– Maintain Big Picture SAMaintain Big Picture SA– Help low and middle Lead/safes where neededHelp low and middle Lead/safes where needed

Lead Safe COMMLead Safe COMM• Good Calls:Good Calls:

– ““at xx dme, continue upwind. You are at xx dme, continue upwind. You are cutting out your interval”cutting out your interval”

– ““at xx dme, turn”at xx dme, turn”– ““approaching the bow, your wide”approaching the bow, your wide”

• Bad calls/technique:Bad calls/technique:– ““turn”turn”– ““number one upwind, turn”number one upwind, turn”– ““back to the right/left” without a back to the right/left” without a

direction of who you are referring to.direction of who you are referring to.– ““Level your wings”Level your wings”

Case II ConsiderationsCase II Considerations• Penetrate layers with sections only Penetrate layers with sections only

– Once in comms with marshal, descend through layers Once in comms with marshal, descend through layers under marshal control. Let them de-conflict flights.under marshal control. Let them de-conflict flights.

– No heavy sectionsNo heavy sections / / No light divisions!! No light divisions!!

• OptionsOptions: Depends on WX at the field and at : Depends on WX at the field and at ship. ship. Beach / CVOIC will coordinateBeach / CVOIC will coordinate– Bucket brigade possible with Case II holding.Bucket brigade possible with Case II holding.

• Lead/safe’s drop off dash 3/4 in holding. Penetrate with dash Lead/safe’s drop off dash 3/4 in holding. Penetrate with dash 2. Other lead/safes are sent to marshal to grab dash 3/4. Ship 2. Other lead/safes are sent to marshal to grab dash 3/4. Ship will need to be close to beach and bingo field for this method will need to be close to beach and bingo field for this method to workto work

– Launch as singles and rendezvous in Whiskey Area. (If Launch as singles and rendezvous in Whiskey Area. (If wx precludes division rendezvous after takeoff)wx precludes division rendezvous after takeoff)

– Lead/safe’s bring out single studs in sectionsLead/safe’s bring out single studs in sections

• Bottom two lead/safe’s can be in TAC Bottom two lead/safe’s can be in TAC Wing, opposite circle or lead follow: Wing, opposite circle or lead follow:

– Bottom line, only one Lead/Safe is actually Bottom line, only one Lead/Safe is actually doing the job. The second is responsible for doing the job. The second is responsible for safe separation. Make sure you define rolls safe separation. Make sure you define rolls over the radio. Also, don’t work TAC Wing too over the radio. Also, don’t work TAC Wing too low. Advise tower if wx precludes this methodlow. Advise tower if wx precludes this method

• Third and fourth lead/safe should be above Third and fourth lead/safe should be above the layer, on deck, or part of the bucket the layer, on deck, or part of the bucket brigadebrigade

Case II Considerations cont.Case II Considerations cont.

BINGO ProceduresBINGO Procedures• The Bingo should be taken by the lead/safe who The Bingo should be taken by the lead/safe who

is in the best position…NOT necessarily the one is in the best position…NOT necessarily the one on the bottom of the stackon the bottom of the stack– Communicate with each other and tell the Boss Communicate with each other and tell the Boss

who has the Bingo, unless the Bingo has been who has the Bingo, unless the Bingo has been specifically assigned to someone from towerspecifically assigned to someone from tower

• DIRECT the stud onto the bingo profile DIRECT the stud onto the bingo profile – ““Re-select the back radio and switch to TAC-X, Re-select the back radio and switch to TAC-X,

accelerate to XXX kts, turn to heading YYY, accelerate to XXX kts, turn to heading YYY, Squawk EMERG, climb to ZZ,ZZZ ft. Set your Squawk EMERG, climb to ZZ,ZZZ ft. Set your power at QQQQ lb/hr enroute. Feet dry power at QQQQ lb/hr enroute. Feet dry checks!!!”checks!!!”

• If directed to bingo, go to the designated bingo If directed to bingo, go to the designated bingo fieldfield

BINGO Procedures cont.BINGO Procedures cont.• DO:DO:

– All radio calls and coordination with ATCAll radio calls and coordination with ATC– Call bingo tower ASAP to let them know you are Call bingo tower ASAP to let them know you are

inbound with a bingo and whether or not you need an inbound with a bingo and whether or not you need an LSOLSO

– Coordinate with the LSO on the radio, if requiredCoordinate with the LSO on the radio, if required– Tell approach when you plan to descend so they can Tell approach when you plan to descend so they can

coordinatecoordinate• DO NOTDO NOT

– Make the SNA join on you or level off to stay VMCMake the SNA join on you or level off to stay VMC– Lead the student into the break or direct them to go Lead the student into the break or direct them to go

into the break. Stud should be doing a visual into the break. Stud should be doing a visual straight-in, downwind entry, etc.straight-in, downwind entry, etc.

– Allow ATC to level you off at a lower altitude than the Allow ATC to level you off at a lower altitude than the profile or ask you to deviate from the heading. You profile or ask you to deviate from the heading. You are on an EMERGENCY profileare on an EMERGENCY profile

Lead Safe Lead Safe Gotcha’sGotcha’s

• Being lateBeing late - Make your ramp time! - Make your ramp time!

• Not having pattern SA when divisions are at the Not having pattern SA when divisions are at the initial/coming into the breakinitial/coming into the break

(Lead safes help out leads at initial with pattern calls)(Lead safes help out leads at initial with pattern calls)

• Watch your Watch your abeam distanceabeam distance and set the studs up and set the studs up properly. properly.

• Don’t go long in the grooveDon’t go long in the groove

• There is no Top 10 patch for CNATRA Lead Safes:There is no Top 10 patch for CNATRA Lead Safes:– Be safe, fly the cresting ball, MRT/Speed brakes in!!!Be safe, fly the cresting ball, MRT/Speed brakes in!!!– Fair’s are acceptable. No grades/cut passes are not!Fair’s are acceptable. No grades/cut passes are not!– Take your bolter like a man(lady). Don’t be at idle Take your bolter like a man(lady). Don’t be at idle

when you touch down trying to catch the 4(3) on the when you touch down trying to catch the 4(3) on the fly.fly.

Lead Safe Gotcha’s, Lead Safe Gotcha’s, cont.cont.

• Proper clearing turns.Proper clearing turns. – Get the jet flying, then turn Get the jet flying, then turn – 2020º AOB for 20º HDG change º AOB for 20º HDG change

• Give Give extra intervalextra interval on a stud on a stud – shoot for 1+15 at a minimum because they are going to shoot for 1+15 at a minimum because they are going to

be TWA, Deep 90, LIGbe TWA, Deep 90, LIG

• Be smart on Be smart on conserving gasconserving gas overhead the ship. overhead the ship. • Bring an overnight bagBring an overnight bag

– Everyone is eligible. Warn your backseater!Everyone is eligible. Warn your backseater!• Be ready to conduct Be ready to conduct AM boatAM boat brief if you stay brief if you stay

aboard overnightaboard overnight• Bring your pubs (plates and smart packs). Bring your pubs (plates and smart packs). • Lead/safe common chat on BTN 17Lead/safe common chat on BTN 17. Keep it . Keep it

clean, suitable for public consumption. The ship clean, suitable for public consumption. The ship listens!listens!

Late SafeLate Safe• Responsible for taking any stragglers that Responsible for taking any stragglers that

could not launch with previous divisions could not launch with previous divisions

• Do not launch until the last division of Do not launch until the last division of SNA’s has launched! (could be a division SNA’s has launched! (could be a division from the other TRAWING) from the other TRAWING)

• 1st1st Late safe of a period - “Late Safe Late safe of a period - “Late Safe Turning Spare” Turning Spare” – Only launch if a stud falls out of the previous Only launch if a stud falls out of the previous

division. Then you will take them to the boat. division. Then you will take them to the boat. Stay turning until last division is airborne. Stay turning until last division is airborne.

Late Safe (cont.)Late Safe (cont.)

• 2nd2nd Late Safe of a period Late Safe of a period - Wait to launch until the last stud Wait to launch until the last stud

launches launches - Unlike the late safe spare, launch solo even Unlike the late safe spare, launch solo even

if all studs got off the deck. You will be if all studs got off the deck. You will be needed as the 4th lead safe overhead needed as the 4th lead safe overhead

– If jet is down for maintenance, get If jet is down for maintenance, get another jet and go late another jet and go late

– If you cannot make it for any reason…let If you cannot make it for any reason…let the OIC/ship know. They may hold over the OIC/ship know. They may hold over an earlier lead safe as a sparean earlier lead safe as a spare

Guest flyer/Back seater Guest flyer/Back seater considerationsconsiderations

• If you are not comfortable flying guest fliers, let your det If you are not comfortable flying guest fliers, let your det OIC/AOIC know. But not 5 minutes prior to the brief time.OIC/AOIC know. But not 5 minutes prior to the brief time.

• Back seater review itemsBack seater review items– Strap-in Procedures / Proper leg positionStrap-in Procedures / Proper leg position– Cockpit switches to watch forCockpit switches to watch for

•Manual Fuel / Anti-Skid SwitchManual Fuel / Anti-Skid Switch– Comm / ICS use and adjustmentComm / ICS use and adjustment– Seat Height and Rudder Pedal adjustmentSeat Height and Rudder Pedal adjustment

•Feet off brakes on cat and trap!Feet off brakes on cat and trap!– Lead safe workload Lead safe workload – Overnight gearOvernight gear– Flight Deck Safety / FOD concernsFlight Deck Safety / FOD concerns– Mask on while taxing on flight deck Mask on while taxing on flight deck – Ejection ProceduresEjection Procedures

December Boat NotablesDecember Boat Notables

• Lead Safe’s: Lights on in the groove, poor approach Lead Safe’s: Lights on in the groove, poor approach turns, WX Recce not confirming LSO on stationturns, WX Recce not confirming LSO on station

• Common SNA problems last several boats.Common SNA problems last several boats.– SNA’s not performing proper clearing turns on SNA’s not performing proper clearing turns on

departure. departure. – Walking late in the morning. All should be pre-Walking late in the morning. All should be pre-

flighting 45 minutes prior to launch from the ship.flighting 45 minutes prior to launch from the ship.– Taxing too fast on the flight deck/taxiing with mask Taxing too fast on the flight deck/taxiing with mask

offoff– Not having S/B out on approaches.. Landing Not having S/B out on approaches.. Landing

checks!!!checks!!!– Poor wipeouts on the cat (rudder movement). Poor wipeouts on the cat (rudder movement). – Wanting gas above “hold down”/calling “hold down” Wanting gas above “hold down”/calling “hold down”

airborneairborne

Keep’em safeKeep’em safe