Shuttle Descent

T-34C INSTRUMENTS

CHAPTER SIX

619.

SHUTTLE DESCENT

Amplification A shuttle descent is the procedure used in holding to position your

aircraft at a lower altitude. Descents in holding are normally initiated by ATC. If several aircraft

are in holding at the same fix, they will be placed in "stack" with altitude separation (usually 1000

feet). Shuttles will be used to descend each aircraft to the next lower stack altitude after the

bottom aircraft in the stack has commenced his approach.

Procedure

Report leaving current altitude for assigned altitude.

Reduce power to 300 ftlbs.

Lower the nose to maintain 120 knots.

Retrim.

To level off:

Twenty-five feet prior to leveloff altitude, begin the transition by resetting power to

450500 ftlbs.

Raise the nose to the slow cruise attitude.

Retrim.

Common Errors

Fixating on altitude, thereby failing to maintain AOB in the StandardRate Turns.

Neglecting timing and/or wind corrections. You must continue flying the pattern

while in the descent.

NOTE

Wind corrections at one altitude may not work at a lower altitude.

Heading and timing adjustments may be required. If these

adjustments do not work, fly a complete nowind orbit again to

determine the new winds.

620.

TACAN POINTTOPOINT NAVIGATION

Reference: NIFM Part V, "Technique of Navigating PointtoPoint."

Amplification PointtoPoint Navigation is a procedure used to fly from one TACAN fix

to another using a direct track. When an aircraft approaches a terminal area, Air Traffic Control

normally clears it to a holding fix or an Initial Approach Fix. If cleared direct to the fix, the pilot

may be radar vectored or employ PointtoPoint Navigation.

RADIO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURES 6-53