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[MP-1] Map Preparation
Map Preparation. Carefully review maps to identify obstacles and hazardous terrain. Annotate enemy threats and turning/checkpoints on the map. (This information may classify your map.) Establish specific course lines between turning points for low level navigation. When terrain masking, these lines do not necessarily represent the ground track to be flown. Time tick marks based on an established ground speed are optional. Other flight planning data and information may be annotated; however, use caution to avoid obscuring pertinent information. Mission commanders are allowed to determine the symbols used based on the actual mission profile, threats, terrain, political considerations, etc.
Distance tick marks denote distance between waypoints. If used, place them on the left side of the course line. A good technique is to count down the distance between waypoints (i.e. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). When portrayed in miles, this will align with distances displayed on the H-60 CDU/VSDS with the tick marks on the map and is useful in identifying obstacles (e.g. power lines).
Waypoints. Label waypoints on the map consistent with the aircraft navigation systems. Use a circle to depict points where changes or navigation updates occur. Consider placing occasional waypoints over precisely defined features to allow navigation system updates or verification. However avoid population concentrations, LOCs, or other man-made features when possible. Also avoid mountains/hill tops which will tend to highlight the flight. Picking a waypoint adjacent to a distinct terrain feature is a good technique to minimize detection by a threat. If the mission involves a TOT, it is useful to indicate a crossing time next to each waypoint.
Hazard Avoidance. Probably the greatest threats to low level operations are man-made hazards, primarily powerlines and towers. Navigational maps should be annotated with low-level survey hazards, and probable wire locations. The entire crew should scan for indications of wires such as swaths through vegetation, poles, roads, towers, and buildings. When flying in narrow canyons or gorges be especially cautious for wires strung from edge to edge. Support structures for these wires are usually massive and easily seen. Ridge lines should also be scanned for the presence of poles, antennas, or power line support structures. Any low level air traffic corridors should also be annotated. A useful technique is to highlight enroute hazards with distance or time marking to ease avoidance. Exercise care when decelerating in a low level environment. When flying a terrain profile and maintaining 50 feet obstacle clearance, pilots must rotate the helicopter around the tail rotor. This is accomplished by increasing collective to maintain tail rotor altitude and then applying aft cyclic to decrease airspeed.
Altitude Selection. Planned flight altitudes are commensurate with threat, hazards, and weather conditions. In friendly territory, keep altitudes higher if tactically sound. This reduces flight hazards, crew fatigue, and allows attention to be dedicated to mission coordination, if required. In enemy territory, make a pre-planned as well as real-time assessment weighing low level hazards against enemy threat to determine the safest flight altitude. The greatest threat may come from wire/tower hazards that increase altitude requirements. In areas of concentrated enemy threat, keep the altitude to a minimum to degrade acquisition and engagement. High altitude operation (above 5000 feet AGL) may be useful to defeat small arms and light AAA but is only appropriate if the enemy has no SAM or heavy AAA capability. Flight altitudes are often driven lower by reduced visibility or low illumination. In these cases, there is a point where it is unsafe to go lower despite the visibility or illumination degradation. Once this point is reached, a decision to turn around, climb and continue IMC, or abort the mission must be made.
Standard Symbols For Map Preparation. The following standard annotations and symbols should be used in preparing maps for both combat and noncombat operations. Recommend the use of black ink, pencil, or symbol tapes to portray data on inflight materials. Navigation computer, tactical airlift mission plotter, or suitable substitute should be used for annotating standard symbols. Other symbols may be used in addition to those listed. Ensure any non-standard symbols or notations are thoroughly briefed to all crew members.
Waypoint. Use a circle to depict en route points where the aircraft course is altered or key actions occur. Number waypoints consecutively to facilitate identification. If used, place corresponding navigation information blocks (NIB) immediately adjacent to the course line.
Initial Point (IP). The IP is identified by a square centered on the point. If the IP is simply a
coordinate, a dot will be positioned on the coordinate location centered within the square.
Objective Point (OP). The OP is identified by a triangle centered on the planned point with the apex pointing in the direction of flight to the point.
TO Waypoint. The designator of the next waypoint and ARIP, PIP, IP, LZ, etc., if applicable.
MAG Heading. The magnetic heading to the next waypoint.
Distance. Enter the distance to the next waypoint or leg distance.
ETE. The time to fly to the next waypoint.
MSA. Minimum safe altitude for each leg
Emergency Landing Bases (Optional). Use a single circle with a diagonal line to identify those airfields compatible with unit aircraft and which may be used in an enroute emergency. The number of emergency bases selected and the frequency of occurrence are at the discretion of the mission planner.
Alternate Recovery Bases (Optional). Use two concentric circles to identify those airfields
compatible with unit aircraft and which are preferred for recovery in case the primary base is unusable because of weather, damage, or other reasons.
Recovery Arrow Box (Optional). Use a horizontally divided arrow box pointing in the general direction of the alternate recovery base to provide navigational information to the alternate base. This box depicts base name, distance in NM from divert point to alternate base, the mag course from divert point to alternate base, and fuel required to fly to the base.
Course Line and Time/Distance Marks. Draw course lines for the entire route inbound to the objective and continue on to portray the return route to the primary.
Time Marks (Optional). When used, they should be placed on the right side of the course line. Time marks are of particular value along the pre-initial point route segment.
Distance Mark (Optional). When used, they should be placed on the left side of the course line.
Combat Entry Point (Optional). A heavy line identifies and locates the point at which the flight route crosses the FEBA/FLOT. The line extends at least 1 inch on either side of the course line. The entire FEBA should be annotated, if known.
Operational Advisory Annotations. Advisory annotations concerning operational aspects of the mission are positioned to the side of the course line. The annotations consist of a line at the point enroute where the function should be performed and the action is noted on the side end of the line. The action description may be either enclosed in a box or left open at the discretion of the mission planner. Examples of these operational advisories are: start climb, start descent, IFF/SIF Stby, Lights off, lights on, TACAN receive only, IFF/SIF-On, TACAN-T/R.
Order Of Battle (OB). Depict friendly/enemy order of battle information directly on the
navigation chart using the following symbols and annotations. Chartpak symbols are recommended. (Symbols are mandatory, Radii are optional).
Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). The number associated with the symbol indicates the specific type weapon system (SA-2, SA-6, etc.). The actual SAM location is at the base of the symbol. Use circles to indicate effective radii of the system at the planned mission altitude.
Antiaircraft Artillery (AAA). Depict known AAA sites and indicate type (i.e., ZSU 23-4, 57MM, etc.) The base of the diagram indicates the known position.
Aircraft. Indicate locations of enemy airfields supporting aircraft capable of intercepting the
mission. The delta-Wing symbol indicates all-weather capable aircraft and the swept-Wing symbol indicates clear-air mass (CAM) interceptors.
