Mission Aircrew Course Step Through at Typical Mission

Mission Aircrew Course Step Through at Typical Mission (APR 2010)

Aircrew Tasks m O-2008 COMPLETE A MISSION SORTIE (P) m O-2107 PREPARE FOR A TRIP TO A REMOTE MISSION BASE (O, P)

Objectives m Discuss the items you should check before leaving on a mission: • Personal and aircraft items • CAPF 71 • State the flight time and crew duty limitations (per the current CAPR 60 -1) • State 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 m Discuss the approach and your actions upon arrival at mission base, including the general briefing.

Objectives m m Discuss the six steps of ORM and the four principles involved. Discuss the aircrew briefing. Describe the information contained in and how to fill out the front of the CAPF 104. Discuss the items checked and actions taken before leaving on a sortie: • Release and preparation • Preflight and Departure • State when the ‘sterile cockpit’ rules starts and ends m Discuss duties during the sortie, including: • Preparations prior to entering the search area • Required radio reports • State when the ‘sterile cockpit’ rules starts and ends

Objectives m Discuss your actions upon arrival back at mission base. m Describe the information contained in and how to fill out the debriefing section of the CAPF 104. m Discuss the aircrew debriefing. m Discuss your actions upon arrival back home, including: • 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? m 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? m Time is such a critical factor in missing person or aircraft crash searches m Treat every minute after you been alerted as critical to the survival chances of the victims

Survival Rates m 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 m 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 m 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 m 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? m What do these statistics tell us? • We must take each mission seriously! • Strive to do everything better, smarter and faster! m Training, practice and pre-planning help us accomplish these goals m Also tells us, as pilots, to always file a flight plan

Leaving Home Base m Proper uniforms per CAPM 39 -1 m Required credentials m Current charts for the entire trip (gridded, if you have them) m Personal supplies and money m Equipment such as cell phone and flashlights (including spare batteries) m Charts and maps

Leaving Home Base m Check the Weight and balance, CO monitor & Fire Extinguisher status, fuel reserve and management plan, Discrepancy Log m Tie-downs, chocks, Pitot cover and engine plugs m Equipment such as fuel tester, survival kit, binoculars, sick sacks, and cleaning supplies

Leaving Home Base m m Obtain briefing and file FAA Flight Plan Complete “Inbound” 104 and get released by FRO

Leaving Home Base “IMSAFE” m Illness m Medication m Stress m Alcohol m Fatigue m Emotion

CAP FRO CHECKLIST QUESTIONS 1. Are PIC(s) qualified to fly the CAP aircraft for the type of flight proposed (consult the Ops-Qual FRO Report)? Does the PIC(s) possess the appropriate pilot currency for the flight? FRO Checklist 2. Are all aircraft occupants CAP members? If not, have applicable procedures been followed for non-CAP members, including CAPF 9 if applicable? 3. Is the correct mission symbol selected? 4. Is the route of flight complete, and does the PIC have permission to fly to destinations outside the wing? Does permission exist for all landings at every airport IAW CAPR 60 -1? 5. Will a flight plan be filed (required for over 50 nm)? If not, what is the estimated landing time? Unless an FAA flight plan is filed and activated, the FRO is responsible for initiating missing aircraft procedures two hours after the estimated landing time if notified the flight was safely concluded.

Pre-flight begins even before you even get to the aircraft

Pre-flight begins even before you even get to the aircraft

Preflight m m 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 m m m 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 m Check parking area for obstacles, arrange for marshaller or wing-walker m 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. m The pilot will review the taxi plan and taxiway diagram, and assign crew responsibilities for taxi m Once everyone is settled in, organize the cockpit and review the "Engine Fire on Start" procedure

Departure m Always use the checklists; use the challenge/response method m Seat belts and shoulder harness (always <1000 AGL) m 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 m m m 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 m m 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 m m m 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 m Obtain ATIS (or AWOS) as soon as possible. May be able to contact mission base on FM radio. m Review taxi plan/airport taxi diagram and make crew assignments for approach, landing and taxi m 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 m Sterile cockpit rules are now in effect

Arrival at Base – Basic Airport Traffic Pattern

Arrival at Mission Base m 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 m Defer after-landing checks until clear m Log and report "Wheels Down" m 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 m 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. m Oil & fuel, clean windows and leading edges m Close FAA flight plan, call FRO m Check aircrew and aircraft into the mission m Complete “Inbound” 104 m Get sortie assignment m Determine food and lodging

General Briefing m Mission objective and status m Safety and hazards m Mission base procedures m Weather m Frequencies m Code words

Operational Risk Management m Accomplish the mission with the least possible risk. m More than common sense, more than just a safety program. m Educated (informed) risk versus taking a gamble. m Part of the CAP culture.

ORM – Six Steps m Identify the hazards m Assess the risks m Analyze risk control measures m Make control decisions m Implement risk controls m Supervise and review

ORM Principles m Accept no unnecessary risks. m Make risk decisions at the appropriate level. m Accept risk when the benefits outweigh the costs. m Integrate ORM into CAP practices, procedures, and planning at all levels.

ORM and the Aircrew m Acknowledge risks in order to deal with them. m Each crewmember is responsible to look for risks. m Don’t ignore risks; if you can’t eliminate or reduce the risk, tell someone. m PIC has ultimate authority and responsibility to deal with risks during the sortie. m PIC has the responsibility to inform his or her crew of the risks involved, and to listen to and address their concerns.

Aircrew Briefing m Sortie Objectives m Weather m Altitudes m Duties

CAPF 104 Front - Flight Plan - Briefing form

CAPF 104 page 2

CAPF 104 page 3

QUESTIONS?

Preparing to Leave on a Sortie m Check in with briefing officer m Check in with air operations m Present 104 to flight line supervisor m Pilot pre-flights aircraft m Observer checks mission equipment and supplies m Review flight time and duty limitations m Final restroom visit

Preparing to Leave on a Sortie m 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 m 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 m 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. m Enter sortie settings into the GPS (destination or flight plan, entry points and waypoints)

Taxi Mishaps m m 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 m Strategies: • • Thorough planning and preparation eliminates distractions Crew assignments for taxi Treat taxiing with the seriousness it deserves Sterile cockpit rules

Taxi and Departure m m m 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 m 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 m 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. m Update in-flight weather, file PIREPs, periodically check navigational equipment against each other to detect abnormalities or failures

During the Sortie m 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") m Observer logs and reports “Entering the Search Area, ” primary duty is now Scanner m Periodic “Ops Normal” reports, Observer asks about fuel status and altimeter setting at least hourly m Scanner and observer logs, sketches

During the Sortie m 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. m If target spotted notify mission base immediately; begin recovery ASAP m Mission commander monitors for fatigue, ensures crew drinks enough fluids, schedules breaks

Return to Base m 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“ m Double-check heading and altitude with what was assigned for transit to the next search area or return to base. m Reorganize the cockpit in preparation for approach and landing. m Approach, landing and arrival were covered earlier

Return to Base m Check back in and take a break m Drawings or markings made on charts or maps should be transferred onto the CAPF 104 or attached to it m Make sure everything is clear and legible m 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 page 4

Debriefing m Note both Positive and Negative results m Use the reverse of CAPF 104 m 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 m Used to calculate the “probability of detection” that is used for subsequent search planning

Debriefing m Complete the de-briefing sections of the CAPF 104 m Discuss items on the 104 m Assemble attachments m Report to debriefer m Be TOTALLY HONEST debriefing during the

Debriefing m Crew comments about effectiveness m Crew remarks of SAR effectiveness m Times (and Hobbs readings) m Sketches and attachments m Be TOTALLY HONEST during the debriefing

End of the Mission m Turn in equipment and supplies m Settle fuel, food and lodging bills m Plan the trip home m Fill out “Outbound” CAPF 104 m Check weather and file FAA Flight Plan m Check out with mission staff, obtain flight release

The Trip Home m Maintain crew discipline and continue to use mission procedures and checklists m SAR personnel can experience post-traumatic stress, so look for signs (refer to CAPR 60 -5) m Once on the ground, secure the aircraft and ready it for its next mission m Close FAA Flight Plan m Complete the “Outbound” 104 m Ensure ability to complete CAPF 108 m Once everyone is at home, call mission base with Hobbs from the ‘Outbound’ 104

Local Drills and Exercises m Easy m Inexpensive m Very efficient m Very worthwhile m Fun

Questions?