CNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEF

1. CNATRA LEAD SAFE BRIEF Cecil Field / USS George H W BushJune 2010

2. Overall CNATRA OIC – CDR “Buffalo” Sheehan CO, VT-9 CNATRA Boat OIC – CDR “Griff” Griffeth, VT-9 TW-2 OIC – CDR “Sticky” Murphy, CO, VT-22 TW-1 AOIC’s – LT “AYCE” Wilkinson, VT-7 MAJ “Lothar” Yoskovich, VT-9 TW-2 AOIC – LT “Charlie” Murphy, VT-21 Leadership

3. 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 pre-stage at Mayport/Savannah for weather

4. 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

5. 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

6. The Brief (cont.) • If a student’s jet goes down • Lead/Safe shall not delay take-off due to student jet issues • Stud should go in the next available division • If next available division is full, stud should go with the late safe • Studs should have each division leads and late/safe’s info including side numbers and TAC freq’s

7. Timing – 1st Division • Try to verify ships position prior to walking via POTS or email. • 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 proceeding division • Switch to BTN 1 ASAP and check in with Boss. Might just get a “Charlie on arrival”

8. Timing – follow-on divisions • The goal is to have 3 new studs in the break every 15 minutes. Hence, for follow-on divisions: • Communicate with the other divisions • If each division is flying 4 NM/min and the division/flight preceding…. • …had 3 studs, take-off 15 minutes later • …had 2 studs, take-off 10 minutes later • …had 1 stud, take-off 5 minutes later

9. Timing (cont.) • If unable to make an on time departure or make your ramp as the first division of your wave, let CNATRA base and the ship know • DO NOT BUSTER TO MAKE THE ASSIGNED RAMP TIME AND THEN END UP WITH LESS THAN BINGO + 600LB ON THE BALL • NOTHING GAINED BY BEING ON-TIME AND OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!

10. Enroute • Inform divisions behind you 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?

11. 20 miles from ship • Switch division to Lead/Safe common (BTN 17). De-conflict with other divisions • Time the flights descent as appropriate. Don’t be at 20,000FT and 20 miles out • As soon as you see the ship, press Marshall to let you switch to BTN 1. You may be able to directed to charlie immediately

12. “Charlie” • Once you get the call from the Boss: • “IF” sufficient gas, accelerate. It should take about 8 minutes • Penetrate 210º relative to BRC. Make a commencing call on Lead/Safe Common (BTN 17) and start descent • Commence the flights turn at 7 miles to arrive at a 7 mile initial

13. 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 the studs chicks come with the lead • Review hand signals/radio calls in the brief • Remember! – even if directed, don’t spin 2… Dash 3 stud is not allowed to lead anything

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

15. 1- 3 SNAs in Pattern 4 nm 4000’ L/S Fuel conserve just outside of pattern 2 nm 2000’/3000’ L/S 3K should be across circle from 2K

16. Lead Safe Responsibilities if: 1- 3 SNAs in Pattern • 2000’ Lead/safe • Primary Control of upwind Pattern • 3000’ Lead/safe • Backup other L/S (Cross Circle), maintain Big Picture • 4000’ Lead/safe • 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

17. > 4 SNAs in Pattern 4 nm 2k L/S 4k L/S Just outside of pattern 2 nm 3k L/S

18. Lead Safe Responsibilities if: > 4 SNAs in Pattern • 2000’ Lead/safe • Help direct pattern greater than 2nm fwd bow • Primarily responsibility - interval • 3000’ Lead/safe • Watch pattern from bow to 2 nm fwd • Primarily responsibility - keeping SNAs from cutting out their interval • 4000’ Lead/safe • Max Endurance AOA • Stay just outside of the pattern • Maintain Big Picture SA • Help low and middle Lead/safes where needed

19. 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”

20. Case II Considerations • Penetrate overcast/thick layers with sections only • No heavy sections / No light divisions!! • Six studs (max) during Case 2 Ops. No more than 2 in the pattern at one time • Options: Depends on wx at Cecil and at ship Beach / Griff 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 to VQQ/Bingo 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

21. 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 Griff/Boss if wx precludes this method • Third and fourth lead/safe should be above the layer, on deck, or part of the bucket brigade

22. 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.” • Understand whether divert or bingo • If bingo, got to the designated bingo field

23. BINGO Procedures cont. • DO: • All radio calls coordinating with ATC • Call bingo 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.

24. 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 first period - “LATE SAFE TURNING SPARE” • Only launch if a SNA falls out of previous division, then you will take them to the boat

25. Late Safe (cont.) • Late/safe: 2nd Late Safe of second period • Wait to launch until the last stud 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

26. 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!

27. Gotcha’s cont. • Proper clearing turns. • Get the jet flying, then turn • 20º AOB for 20º HDG change • 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. Griff 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!

28. Gotcha’s cont. New Catapult Procedures No problems in April. We had no suspends due to the new procedures Ensure you have received a a brief from your Wing LSO Long story short.. Do not go to MRT upon tension signal!! Go to MRT upon power up signal No launch bar retract signal

29. 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

30. April Boat Notables • Studs and IP’s not performing proper clearing turns • 20º AOB for 20º heading change, then align to BRC when clear • Studs turning off the cat when staying in pattern • Studs shallow climbs off cat • Launch bar getting stuck. Will initially try again, but may have to revert to alternate hook-up procedures • IUT’s trying SH breaks! Ah, no! • One stud on the brakes..smoked the tires.

31. April Boat Notables • Lead/Safes • Too wide abeam • Long in the groove • Had a few divisions show up early (10 minutes early in one case) • Bush likes to launch Lead/Safes off the waist with the bubble. Be ready! • TWR is not proactive in managing pattern. Don’t rely on Mini to help upwind interval with guidance

32. Keep’em safe