Tactical Formation
Flight Procedures
In RTGS, the pipper indicates the instantaneous impact point of the round at 1,000 ft. Since it will
take 1/3 of a second for the round to travel 1,000 ft, you need to place the pipper ahead of your
target’s flight path to account for the round’s time of flight. At 400 KIAS, the bandit travels 222 ft in
1/3 of a second. So, with 30 degrees angle off, place the pipper about the inner diameter of the
reticle ahead of the aircraft. RTGS is used for a hard-maneuvering target.
The technique for using the HUD is basically a matter of experience. As you maneuver your aircraft,
the reticle will move on the PDU as it compensates for g and yaw. For this reason, the more
smoothly you maneuver your aircraft while tracking, the more accurate the aiming solution. During
hard maneuvering, the reticle may peg to the side of the PDU and begin to flash. At this point, the
aiming solution is invalid, and you should continue to maneuver to place the bandit on your nose.
When the reticle stops flashing, the aiming solution is accurate.
Declutter
The declutter function works the same in the air-to-air mode as in the navigation mode. Declutter
One removes AOA, Mach number, and g from the display. Because heading and AOB are not
displayed in air-to-air mode, selecting Declutter Two will not change the display. Using declutter in
TacForm is not practical, because you will lose AOA and g from the HUD display.
HUD Failures (A/A mode)
HUD failures are almost always identified by a loss of symbology. Do not assume, however, that a
failure exists until you are certain that declutter has not been selected and that data is not out of
limits. In A/A gun, declutter 1 removes angle of attack, Mach number, and g-load from the PDU.
Missing symbology because of data that is out of limits due to rapid roll rates or rapid g-load
transitions will return as soon as your flight parameters stabilize.
If you get a HUD failure on the ground or in transit to/from the MOA, cycle the power to the HUD to
see if it clears the failure. If cycling the power does not clear the problem, you have confirmed the
failure. Follow CNATRA policy for your flight to determine if you can still fly.
If the reticle disappears during gunsight tracking and will not reappear after cycling the power to the
HUD, push the MODE key to switch the submode to RTGS. If this does not produce a usable reticle,
continue tracking using guidance or demonstrations from the back seat. The rear cockpit is
equipped with a conventional sight and will not be affected by a HUD failure. Coordinate with your
instructor to select other HUD submodes that may produce a usable reticle.
Sealed Video Module
The sealed video module records the view through the HUD. The entire module is placed in the VCR
receptacle located in the aft cockpit, right console, and is secured by placing the locking bar in the
LOCKED position. In the RECORD position, the VCR begins recording shortly after power is applied
to the aircraft. With the aft cockpit VCR switch in STBY or OFF, the forward cockpit VCR switch
controls VCR operation. The forward cockpit VCR switch has three positions: (1) ON, VCR starts
recording; (2) OFF, the aft cockpit controls VCR operation; (3) AUTO, VCR starts recording when the
master armament switch is set to ARM.
GUNSIGHT TRACKING EXERCISE
This will be your first opportunity to maneuver your jet into a weapons envelope and engage a
noncooperative bandit (your lead). It is also an excellent opportunity to introduce the concepts that
you will need to master as a fighter pilot.
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