NIGHT TERRAIN INTERPRETATION AND NIGHT TERRAIN FLIGHT CW3 Shawn Hayes

REFRENCES u TC u TC u TC u TERRAIN FLIGHT MISSION PLANNING GUIDE 1-223rd

OBJECTIVE u Develop Student Instructor Pilot’s (IP) understanding of terrain flight modes, command considerations and terrain interpretation

ELEMENTS u TERRAIN FLIGHT MODES u COMMAND CONSIDERATIONS u TERRAIN INTERPRETATIONS –Visual Recognition Cues –Interpretation Factors

TERRAIN FLIGHT DEFINITIONS u Is a Tactical Method of Employing Aircraft. It takes advantage of terrain, vegetation and man made objects to degrade the threats ability to visually, optically, thermally, or electronically detect or locate aircraft u NVG Terrain flight is defined as flight less than 200 feet AHO in the flight path IAW with the TC 1-212

TERRAIN FLIGHT u When operating with the wheels up to 25 feet above the highest obstacle (AHO) in the flight path - 40 KIAS maximum - Nap of the Earth (NOE) u When operating with the wheels between 25 and 80 feet AHO in the flight path - 70 KIAS maximum - Contour Flight u When operating with the wheels above 80 feet AHO - Whatever airspeed operational requirements dictate and Aircraft Limitations allow - Low Level Flight

TERRAIN FLIGHT CONSIDERATIONS u Mode used dependent on METT-T u Enhances Survivability u Altitude / Airspeeds published in the TC are for high ambient light conditions and clear weather u Unaided night Terrain flight is highly discouraged

COMMAND CONSIDERATIONS u Crew Endurance (Fighter / Warrior Management) u Aircraft Maintenance u Safety u Environment

TERRAIN INTERPRETATIONS u VISUAL RECOGNITION CUES –Object Size –Object Shape –Contrast F Ambient Light F Color, Texture, and Background –Roads –Water –Open Fields –Forested Areas –Deserts

INTERPRETATION FACTORS u Ambient Light u Viewing Distance u Flight Altitudes u Moon Altitudes u Visibility Restrictions u Terrain u Seasons

CONCLUSION u TERRAIN FLIGHT MODES u COMMAND CONSIDERATIONS u TERRAIN RECOGNITION CUES –Visual Recognition Cues –Interpretation Factors u Gained a greater understanding of terrain flight modes, command considerations, and terrain interpretation.

Questions? lThe End