Altitude Calls

CHAPTER THREE

RADIO INSTRUMENTS

CAUTION

Avoid inadvertent actuation of the Fire Test switch when

activating the MIC SEL switch.

Due to the fact that there are no "repeaters" in the forward cockpit, the student will advise the

instructor of all TACAN channel changes as well as the course selected in the Course Selector

Window in the "CDI" (Course Indicator).

The student will not repeat ATC instructions to the Instructor if the instructions were

acknowledged on the radio.

Altitude Calls

There are 4 circumstances requiring ICS altitude calls by students in the T-2 stage:

PASSING 5000 FEET AGL IN A DESCENT: "Platform".

2. 1000 FEET PRIOR TO ALL LEVEL-OFFS ABOVE 1000 FEET AGL:

"1000 feet prior to level off" OR 12 thousand for 13 thousand" OR "one to go."

200 FEET PRIOR TO AN MDA: "200 feet prior to MDA: 460 feet."

4. 200 FEET PRIOR TO A DECISION HEIGHT: "200 feet prior to Decision Height: 226

feet".

The "Minute-to-Live" Rule and Platform Call

"The Minute-to-Live Rule" states that below 5000 feet AGL, the rate of descent should never

exceed the aircraft altitude above the surface. For example, if descending through 3000 feet, the

rate of descent should never be more than 3000 feet per minute.

Background: The "platform" call was originally designed to enhance the safety of IMC

nighttime penetrations to the carrier. In most tactical Naval aircraft communities, the platform

call is made during every descent through 5000 feet AGL.

The "Minute-to-Live Rule" is neither a Federal regulation nor a NATOPS procedure. Rather it is

a common sense approach to safely controlling rates of descent. Due to the rates of descent,

which are prescribed for published Instrument Approach Procedures, a properly flown

instrument approach will be in compliance with the rule. The "Platform" call is an AGL (Above

Ground Level) call. As the T-2C is not equipped with a Radar Altimeter, this call must be made

by referencing the Barometric Altimeter, with consideration given to terrain elevation. This is

essential when flying over elevations above sea level! For example, descending into Kirkland

AFB (elevation 5352 feet), it would be correct at 10,350 feet MSL for the OUI to announce:

"Platform".

3-6

RADIO INSTRUMENTS