5.9 Abnormal Procedures:

5.9    Abnormal Procedures:

5.9.1    Fallout/Late Join Up.

Have a game plan for how you will execute if any member falls out, both on the ground and in the air. If a flight member joins up late on the range, one technique is to have them hold above your current pattern altitude and flow them in to the last position in the flight.

5.9.2    Weather.

For a solid deck with good visibility underneath, eliminate the higher events. It gets trickier when there are scattered clouds that you are trying to work around, or the visibility underneath is marginal. Expect dry passes for clouds obscuring the target and more “SAY POSITION” calls. If weather will be a factor on final, or TR’s are in doubt, remain high and dry.

5.9.3    Emergency Procedures (EP).

For any EPs, be ready for a KIO call, including the RCO, and the flight lead to be directive. Most EPs can be handled by elements. Be sure to safe switches during KIO call.

5.9.4    No Radio (NORDO).

The NORDO aircraft should remain high and dry in the pattern and rock his wings on final. Once it’s determined an aircraft is NORDO, lead will be directive with the rest of the flight to recover that aircraft IAW standards/local procedures. With an EP, the NORDO aircraft should do the same thing unless an immediate single-ship recovery is warranted. If a single-ship recovery is warranted, avoid overflight of pattern ground track at the current pattern altitude and turn opposite the traffic pattern.

5.9.5    Blind.

If not visual with the preceding aircraft or if there is any doubt as to who you’re looking at after rolling out on crosswind, cross-check altitude and stay 500 feet away from base altitude for the pattern being flown. If descending to the base altitude, remain above the base altitude. If climbing up to the base altitude, level off lower than the base altitude. Clear your flightpath and transmit “(position number for the aircraft in front of you), SAY POSITION.” The preceding aircraft should immediately answer the call with position and altitude. No other aircraft will transmit except those necessary to resolve the potential conflict. Follow-on calls must be as specific as possible.

5.9.5.1    Post Blind – "Continue."

 If the visual is reacquired OR you have high SA for which you have adequate deconfliction, call “CONTINUE.” If on final and not directly involved in a “say position” situation, you may continue the pass and deliver ordnance unless a “KNOCK-IT-OFF” is called (assuming the RCO transmitted “CONTINUE DRY” prior to the “SAY POSITION”; if not, don’t request clearance – go through dry).

5.9.5.2    Post Blind - "Knock It Off."

If the situation cannot be immediately resolved, a “KNOCK-IT-OFF” should be called. All members of the flight and the RCO will acknowledge it; safe the master arm and fly the altitude, airspeed and ground track for the event flight lead is on. The blind aircraft will maintain briefed altitude deconfliction. Expect the flight lead to be directive and/or the preceding aircraft to give bearing, range, aspect, and altitude (BRAA) calls. Listen carefully and build SA on other members of the formation. When warranted, flight lead will direct the flight to continue weapons delivery (for example, “NEXT PASS HOT” or “GREEN’M UP”).

5.9.6    Fouls.

Two fouls or one dangerous foul on range will usually result in that flight member either holding high and dry or being directed to return to base (RTB). Use judgment based on the severity of the problems. Since the T-38C does not physically drop anything, it will be hard for anyone outside your jet to assess a foul. Fess up to foul situations so that you can learn from them.