Grade 2 pilot work up Sortie Management

By the end of this presentation you will be able to: Describe the technique for circuit departure and subsequent climb into the operating area. Select an appropriate operating area. Understand the principles of Vigilant sortie management. Implement the lost procedure. Describe the circuit rejoin options.

VGL608 departing to the North East Circuit departure The circuit departure method described in this slide is used by most VGS and CGS. Your VGS may use a site specific method which your instructor will brief you on. Prior to entering the runway for take off, transmit your departure intentions. After Take off a climb is made straight ahead to 1000 ft. The after-takeoff checks are then completed (Fuel pump - off, transponder - on). The aircraft is then turned onto the required climb heading, keeping a good lookout for aircraft rejoining downwind. VGL608 departing to the North East

Climbing to operating height A Zig-Zag climb is made into the 2000ft wind. The turns at every 500 – 1000ft enable the airspace ahead, behind and below to be cleared. They also reduce the overall distance away from the airfield. Anchor points are chosen to set up an operating line. This line can either be into/downwind or crosswind depending on the exercises to be flown/taught and the wind strength. FEEL checks are then carried out at the top of climb. 2000ft wind Surface wind

Climbing to operating height Line features can also be useful as "handrails". If one or more anchor point or handrail is always in sight and the location of the airfield from that anchor point or handrail is known, it is not possible to become lost! The general climb out heading will alter with changes in the wind direction. 2000ft wind Surface wind

Selecting an operating area The operating area selected will normally be upwind of the airfield. The advantages of this are: It is easier to remain inside gliding range of the airfield. You are less likely to be cut off from your airfield by approaching bad weather. Once the exercise has been completed it is quicker to rejoin the circuit from an upwind position. 2000ft wind

Selecting an operating area There are occasions, due to built up areas or controlled airspace, when it is not possible to operate upwind. A and B category instructors, who are PFL qualified, are permitted to operate outside gliding range of the airfield, within a defined area (max 25nm from the airfield). All other instructors and pilots must adjust their sortie management to ensure that they remain inside gliding range. 2000ft wind

Demo, teach and practice yaw Sortie Profile A GIC sortie will typically last between 20 and 30 minutes. A GS upper air sortie will typically last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Significant portions of the GIC and GS exercises can be taught in level flight. 1000ft 2000ft 3000ft 4000ft Height Time (minutes) 10 20 30 40 50 60 GIC 3 Sortie Profile Revise pitch Revise roll Demo, teach and practice yaw Demo stall Revise HO/TO/FT Re-join Instruments Local landmarks Circuit and landing

Sortie Profile A GIC sortie will typically last between 20 and 30 minutes. A GS upper air sortie will typically last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Significant portions of the GIC and GS exercises can be taught in level flight. 1000ft 2000ft 3000ft 4000ft Height Time (minutes) 10 20 30 40 50 60 GS Ex 6 Sortie Profile Levelling off at datum height Demo S&L Maintain S&L Descending Regain heading ref Revision Climbing Re-join Climbing/descending to datum height Circuit departure Circuit and landing

Lost Procedure A properly managed sortie, with headings flown towards anchor points or along handrails, will enable you to remain aware of your location at all times. FEEL checks performed every 10-15 minutes during the flight will act as a confirmatory check of your location. In the unlikely event of becoming lost the following procedure should be followed:

Lost Procedure Turn into wind (2000ft wind). Often you will have drifted downwind without noticing. Turning into wind also reduces any further drift. If possible climb higher, but remain visual with the ground. Be aware of controlled airspace. If you get close to cloudbase visibility will reduce. Make a calm assessment of your last known position and how long ago this was. Regular FEEL checks make this easier. Errrrrr…… Where are we Sir? 2000ft wind

I can see a fork in the river. Lost Procedure Attempt to identify any large, unique features on the ground. e.g. A road/river crossing A large town with a river Don't jump to conclusions. Double check features against other features shown on your map. If still unable to identify your position: Contact the DI and inform him of the situation. Contact your local LARS unit. Contact D&D (121.5). Am I here…. I can see a fork in the river. …or here?

Lost Procedure Becoming lost indicates a failure in sortie management. Once lost, failing to implement the lost procedure represents an even bigger failing in airmanship. Continuing on in the hope of recognising a ground feature may lead to an infringement of controlled airspace.

Circuit Rejoins There are four engine running, and two engine stop, circuit rejoin methods approved for Vigilant operations. The choice of rejoin will depend on: Local orders. Other airfield users. ATC. The position of your operating area in relation to the airfield. At CGS the circuit is usually joined using a downwind rejoin. Note: Aircraft in the circuit have right of way over those rejoining.

VGL608 rejoining downwind Downwind Rejoin The descent is commenced upwind of the airfield, clear of the circuit. The rejoin checks are completed from memory at approx 2000ft. The descent is continued to 800ft, still clear of the circuit. The circuit is joined at the top of the downwind leg in level flight at 800ft. A good lookout must be made for other aircraft established in the circuit, departing the circuit or rejoining the circuit. An orbit is made if a confliction occurs. Then continue downwind if it is safe to do so. FREPPATCH VGL608 downwind VGL608 rejoining downwind 3 minutes

Overhead Rejoin The rejoin checks are completed at 2000ft as the airfield overhead is approached from the live side of the circuit. The aircraft is flown across the runway threshold to the dead side of the circuit not below 1800ft. A descending turn, with airbrakes, is made to re-cross the upwind threshold at 800ft and 60kt. A good lookout must be made for other aircraft established in the circuit. The circuit is joined on the downwind leg. VGL608 deadside descending VGL608 rejoining overhead 3 minutes VGL608 downwind FREPPATCH

VGL608 rejoining deadside Deadside Rejoin Following the rejoin checks, the aircraft is descended to 800ft clear of the dead side. A good lookout must be made for other aircraft in the circuit. The runway is crossed at 800ft/60kt at the upwind threshold. The circuit is joined on the downwind leg. FREPPATCH VGL608 rejoining deadside 3 minutes VGL608 downwind

Initials Rejoin Each runway will have a nominated initial point. This is a point on the dead side of the extended centre line, at least 3 miles downwind of the airfield. The rejoin checks are completed during the descent from initials The runway threshold is passed on the deadside at 800 ft. A good look out must be made for other aircraft in the circuit The runway is crossed at 800ft/60kt at the upwind threshold. The circuit is joined on the downwind leg. VGL608 initials FREPPATCH VGL608 downwind

PFL Pattern Engine Stopped Rejoin The engine is shut down above 2000 ft. The rejoin checks are completed in the descent. Fly towards High Key (a point on the deadside abeam a point ⅓ of the way into the runway) aiming to be there at 1200ft. A good lookout must be made for other aircraft in the circuit. Turn towards Low Key (a point on the liveside abeam a point ⅓ of the way into the runway) aiming to be there at 800ft. Proceed as for a normal circuit. VGL608 engine stopped rejoin, PFL pattern, 5 minutes FREPPATCH VGL608 High Key VGL608 Low Key

PFL Pattern Engine Stopped Rejoin (low circuit) If unable to reach High Key by 1200ft, fly directly to Low Key. If necessary, modify Low Key position due to reduced height. Amend the circuit pattern as necessary. Select approach speed by 400ft. Start final turn at a minimum of 300ft. Wings level by 100ft. A safe landing anywhere on the DLA is acceptable. 1200ft already and flying though sink

Downwind Pattern Engine Stopped Rejoin The engine is shut down above 2000 ft. The rejoin checks are completed in the descent. The circuit is approached abeam the upwind threshold. A good lookout must be made for other aircraft in the circuit. The circuit is joined at 1000 ft abeam the upwind threshold. Intercept the normal circuit aiming to be abeam the DLA markers at 800ft. VGL608 downwind, engine stopped FREPPATCH VGL608 engine stopped rejoin, downwind pattern, 5 minutes

Downwind Pattern Engine Stopped Rejoin (low circuit) If unable to make the normal rejoin point at 1000ft, aim to join further downwind. If still low downwind, move the downwind leg closer to the runway. Approach speed by 400ft. Final turn by 300ft. Wings level by 100ft. 1000ft already and flying though sink

Rejoin Summary In summary, there are four powered rejoins Downwind rejoin Overhead rejoin Deadside rejoin Initials rejoin And two engine stopped rejoins PFL pattern Downwind pattern Surface wind

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