The Briefing

APPENDIX C

T-34C CONTACT

C101. THE BRIEFING

The brief should serve several functions. First, the brief should serve to inform all crewmembers

about elements critical to safe mission completion. A briefing guide shall be used to prompt the

briefer, but all items in the briefing guide will not apply to every mission. Items that do not

apply may be passed over without mention. Those items which will be handled routinely in

accordance with a published instruction may be briefed as such. Of particular importance to the

student naval aviator in this portion of the brief is the sequence of events or route of flight.

Leave nothing to unspoken assumption; the instructor pilot expects his or her students to ask

questions.

Just as important to dissemination of information in briefing is the delineation of cockpit

responsibilities. This function is the cornerstone of crew coordination. Put some serious thought

into how tasks will actually be performed in normal and emergency conditions, then brief them

as such. All crewmembers are responsible for ensuring that the flight conforms to existing

limitations. Where the pilot in command does not specify stricter limits, existing SOP or

NATOPS always applies.

Another function of the brief is for the pilot in command to determine whether or not his crew is

ready to fly. In the training command, the instructor pilot will evaluate a student's motivation

and degree of readiness by checking the student's knowledge against standards established in the

Multi-Services Pilot Training System Curriculum.

For all flights, each student being graded shall check existing and forecast weather, and furnish

the instructor with a grading sheet. The student shall bring a Multi-Services Pilot Training

System Curriculum, NATOPS Pocket Checklist, and all required charts and pubs to the brief.

The flight shall be conducted as briefed. When circumstances require a change in plans, the pilot

in command is responsible for updating the brief. When any crewmember is unclear with regard

to any changes in plans, it is his or her responsibility to resolve any questions.

C102. SAMPLE NATOPS BRIEFING GUIDE

NOTE

This is just a sampling of many common NATOPS briefing items.

This should NOT be construed as the single source for your study

pertaining to the NATOPS brief. Many items are site specific (i.e.,

TW-5 vs. TW-4). Refer to local operating guidelines.

Communications

Frequencies. Brief the frequencies expected to be used on the ground and in flight during

departure, enroute, and arrival.

2. Radio Procedures and Discipline. The person in control of the aircraft will initiate radio

communications with the controlling agencies or respond to the appropriate radio calls. We will

C-2

THE NATOPS BRIEF