"Z" Diagrams

CHAPTER SIX

SECTION LOW ALTITUDE TACTICS AND PROCEDURES

Civilian divert airfields will be annotated with a triangle and field identifier.

Military divert airfields will be annotated with a square and field identifier.

A suitable divert field will have 5000 feet (minimum) of hard surface runway.

5. List the corresponding TACAN channel associated with the field as well as Approach and

Tower Control frequencies. An excellent planning technique is to paste a miniature approach

plate field diagram for each divert on the back of the divert chart.

6. From each point on the route, black ink "divert arrow" to the nearest field will be drawn.

The heading, distance, and BINGO fuel required from the point to its corresponding divert

airfield will be annotated in black near the arrow.

7. BINGO fuel is the fuel required to fly a BINGO profile (found in the T-2C NATOPS

Pocket Checklist) from any point to the nearest suitable divert and land with 600 LBS.

"BINGOing" is an emergency procedure.

"Z" DIAGRAMS

The final step required for planning a T-2C low-level will be creating the "Z" Diagram, which

will be utilized for the target attacks on the route. "Z" Diagrams provide an easy to read, graphic

illustration of weapons pattern and weaponeering data necessary for the safe and accurate

delivery of ordnance. "Z" Diagrams will be included on briefing boards and kneeboard cards for

all WEPS flights. (Figure 6-2)

"Z" Diagram data is derived from two sources: the aircraft's Tactical Manual (TACMAN) and

the aircraft's NATOPS Manual. In the fleet, attack parameters such as dive angle, release

altitude, and release airspeed are found in TACMANs. A jet's TACMAN will also contain data

such as ordnance fragmentation patterns, weapon's time of fall, fuzing data, etc. Fleet

TACMANs are classified manuals.

NOTE

In VT-86, we do not utilize a TACMAN. All ordnance deliveries

are simulated. The dive parameters and dive recovery data

provided in this FTI are valid for training purposes only.

All "Z" diagrams in this FTI (the Weapons Division chapter contains "Z" Diagrams as well) are

depicted with generic AGL altitudes. To be used safely, these altitudes must be adjusted for

target elevation and presented as MSL attitudes. All "Z" Diagrams on briefing cards and

kneeboard cards shall be given as MSL altitudes.

6-8

SECTION LOW ALTITUDE TACTICS AND PROCEDURES