302 – CATOBAR – Recovery – CASE I
Holding Pattern - Marshall Stack (CASE I)
See Appendix A
The overhead holding pattern is a left-hand pattern, with Point 1 located directly overhead the carrier and Points 2, 3 and 4 following in 90-degree increments. This holding pattern is often referred to as the “stack”. All aircraft must remain within 5 nm of the carrier and no lower than 2,000 feet AGL. Any climbs must be accomplished between points 1 and 3 while any descents must be accomplished between points 3 and 1.
After Check In, the Marshall will give all necessary information about the recovery such as CASE NR, OVERHEAD HOLDING ALT, CURRENT WIND, BRC, FINAL BEARING and ALTIMETER. After readback, Marshall will hand us to Tower at 10 NM mark.
Approach the overhead holding pattern in your assigned altitude and aim to enter the pattern at position 1, 2 or 4
Aircraft in overhead holding will stagger their intervals to ensure equal spacing from all flights at the same altitude. If there are two total flights, then they should be 180-degrees apart. Three flights should be 120- degrees apart. Four flights will be 90-degrees apart. You will leave the holding pattern on the ‘charlie’ signal from the tower
After Signal Charlie call, Flight at 2000, reaching point 3 have to commence as per the orange route to turn INITIAL 60 degree off the Marshall stack(Strictly 800 feet no slower than 350 kts indicated)
During Carrier Qualification (CQ) all comms must be made: Comms Kneeboard below
In Cyclic Operation (Not training) all Case I recovery must be flown in ZIP LIP unless CQ (means no status report comms made apart from Commence Call – 11 TSG amendment)
After Flight at 2000 Commencing, the stack must collapse by 1000 feet, downwind zone between pos 1 and 3 only (!) – In cyclic operation, due to zip-lip the flight at 3000 feet is responsible to collapse the stack at the right time
Break intervall 15 – 20 seconds (ideally 17 sec)
Level turn, then descent to 600 FT AGL and prepare for landing configuration – Fly on speed
Final turn starts at 180 “ABEAM” Position (this must be performed in time otherwise aircrafts starts cut in front of each other)
At the 90 Fly on speed, and keep altitude between 450 – 500 FT AGL
Entering the Groove, the final 15-18 sec approach wings level, fly the ball (If the pilot cannot see the ball on the Groove -Call CLARA – Continue until ¾ mile, reassess and depart if necessary)
At ¾ mile call the ball.
Upon touchdown throttle to MIL preparing for bolter, if arrested keep throttle for 2-3 sec, then back to IDLE, Hook Up and vacate the landing area, then call “GREEN DECK”
In case of BOLTER, keep BRC for 0.8 – 1 nm at 600 feet, then check traffic and turn downwind – Golden rule that the first aircraft reaching the BOW is the first to turn downwind see slide 13 and 14
Spin Pattern – If the pattern is full, the flight got Spin it call, the star climb 1200 FT and remain within 3 NM, at 90 Spin descent to 800 FT and enter Initial