Air Combat Maneuvering
Background
16.
A “knock-it-off” will be called for any of the following situations:
a.
Any violation of Training Rules. Good flight discipline is essential for safety in the ACM
arena.
Dangerous situation/loss of situational awareness.
b.
c.
Radio failure/loss of ICS (see #7 above).
d.
Airspeed less than 80 knots (nose-high and decelerating)/departure/out-of-control flight.
Initiate recovery and transmit “knock-it-off.” This is a serious safety factor. In a slow
speed situation, if you continue to maneuver and a possible midair situation develops, you
will be unable to maneuver to avoid it.
Unbriefed aircraft enters the fight. This relates back to the first rule stating that you must
e.
stay in the designated area and other aircraft must stay out.
f.
Aircraft enters a cloud. In the Training Command, this rule is for obvious safety reasons.
However, in the real world, the environmental conditions may become your best ally in an
engagement.
g.
Bingo fuel state reached.
h.
GLOC (see #14 above).
i.
Training objectives have been met. This is usually determined by the flight-lead (or
instructor).
WEATHER
As stated earlier, you will not consider weather conditions as part of your tactical repertoire until you
face a real bandit. But it warrants remembering that you can effectively use clouds, haze, or other
weather phenomena to gain or regain the advantage.
All engagements shall be conducted under VMC conditions with the following additions:
1.
Maintain a minimum 5 statute mile visibility with defined horizon.
2.
Remain above or between cloud layers only with distinct horizon.
3.
Maintain a minimum of 15,000 ft between broken/overcast layers.
4.
Maintain a minimum of 1 nm horizontally and 2,000 ft vertically from all clouds.
5.
For a solo flight, cloud tops shall not be higher than 7,000 ft AGL.
6.
For a dual flight, cloud tops shall not be higher than 8,000 ft AGL.
7.
The deck is set at a minimum of 5,000 ft above all cloud tops.
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