Low level X-Country Training
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: NZ
Low level X-Country Training
Hi all,
Have been asked to develop a low level cross-country syllabus for our training programme at work.
Was wondering if anybody else has a similar training syllabus and what you have incorporated into the briefs, considerations etc.
All help gratefully recieved.
Cheers
S2K
Have been asked to develop a low level cross-country syllabus for our training programme at work.
Was wondering if anybody else has a similar training syllabus and what you have incorporated into the briefs, considerations etc.
All help gratefully recieved.
Cheers
S2K
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Devon, UK
A bit I remember vividly from an RAF low-flying exercise in a Tiger, was doing a close-in turn around a tree - allowing for wind speed/direction. Interesting.
Low-level X-countries (in designated areas) -
Draw track-line on map, mark waypoints, and en-route look out for, e.g, road-before-railway or vice-versa (near where they cross); left-or right of a conspicuous something-or-other near the track; trees/water coming up on-time, etc. And the usual VMC track-keeping drill, with a very careful check and correction early-on for drift.
But this was S Rhodesia, where conspicuous pin-points were hard to come by. And counting rivers crossed on-track didn't always work, because they sometimes dried up....
Keeping a very watchful eye for higher-ground due to come up was a must, I seem to remember.
Happy days.
Did somebody mention GPS?
No No No!
Eyes outside, perlease.
WS
Low-level X-countries (in designated areas) -
Draw track-line on map, mark waypoints, and en-route look out for, e.g, road-before-railway or vice-versa (near where they cross); left-or right of a conspicuous something-or-other near the track; trees/water coming up on-time, etc. And the usual VMC track-keeping drill, with a very careful check and correction early-on for drift.
But this was S Rhodesia, where conspicuous pin-points were hard to come by. And counting rivers crossed on-track didn't always work, because they sometimes dried up....
Keeping a very watchful eye for higher-ground due to come up was a must, I seem to remember.
Happy days.
Did somebody mention GPS?
No No No!
Eyes outside, perlease.
WS
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 28
From: Albany, West Australia
Start with your NZ low flying Regs explanation, in resp. of height AGL, distance off dwellings, what's VMC, etc. Cover your bum - first and foremost!
Next should be the Emergency procedures, eg engine failure,part/full, then loss of forward visibility responses, then collision responses. Include preventive actions such as carby heat, bring in hi and low scan techniques.........
Look at your met aspects, eg turbulence, wind shear, visibilities etc........
Look at your terrain aspects, incl valley decisions, crossing ridges,where you'll expect lift/no lift etc.
Bring in a/c performance + pilot health/wellbeing later
I know it's "eyes outside' all the way, but you still have to teach use of GPS to assist in off track/abeam idents. It's also very instructive in respect of the effect of rough air on GS.
cheers,
Next should be the Emergency procedures, eg engine failure,part/full, then loss of forward visibility responses, then collision responses. Include preventive actions such as carby heat, bring in hi and low scan techniques.........
Look at your met aspects, eg turbulence, wind shear, visibilities etc........
Look at your terrain aspects, incl valley decisions, crossing ridges,where you'll expect lift/no lift etc.
Bring in a/c performance + pilot health/wellbeing later
I know it's "eyes outside' all the way, but you still have to teach use of GPS to assist in off track/abeam idents. It's also very instructive in respect of the effect of rough air on GS.
cheers,
Jet Blast Rat
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
From: Sarfend-on-Sea
Don't forget the pre-descent checks and the descent to low level. Low level navigation also needs some discussion: shorter view, regular checks (6-minute fixes), using by preference tall check features.
