AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012 217
operational directives may dictate higher altitudes. CAUTION: Some charts may depict
terrain and obstacle altitudes in meters versus feet (e.g. JOG and TLM charts in some areas
of the world).
16.4.1.1. Tactical Corridor. Low-level flights will be planned using tactical corridors.
Tactical corridors should be planned as wide as possible, to provide maximum situational
awareness and flexibility. The standard width for a tactical corridor is 3 NM. Tactical
corridor width can vary from 1 NM minimum either side of centerline, to as wide as
desired (10 NM either side is the max recommended). Corridors do not have to be
symmetrical, but must be annotated when different from the standard. As a rule of thumb,
tactical corridors should be wide over flat terrain and narrow in mountainous terrain.
16.4.1.2. Day VMC Enroute. Fly no lower than 500 feet AGL (or 300 AGL IAW
paragraph 16.4.4.8) modified contour altitude above the terrain using visual references
and radar altimeter.
16.4.1.3. Night VMC Enroute (Non-NVGs). Fly no lower than an indicated altitude of
500 feet above the highest obstruction to flight (man-made obstacle, terrain feature, or
spot elevation), or 400-feet plus one chart contour interval above the highest depicted
terrain contour, whichever is highest, within the tactical corridor to include the aircraft
turn radius over each turn point. If the altitude for the next leg is higher than the current
leg altitude, climbs will be completed before the turn point. If the altitude for the next leg
is lower than the current leg, do not initiate descent until over the turn point. Legs may be
divided into segments for night altitude computations, depending on terrain differential or
threats in order to allow flight closer to the ground. Once the obstacle or terrain feature is
visually identified and the aircraft is confirmed well clear, the crew may descend to the
next segmented altitude, if lower. See Figure 16.1.
16.4.1.4. NVG Enroute. Fly no lower than indicated altitude of 500 feet above the
highest spot terrain elevation, or 400 feet plus one chart contour interval above the
highest depicted terrain contour, whichever is higher, within the tactical corridor.
Aircrews must identify factor obstacles within the tactical corridor. If the aircrew does
not visually identify the factor obstacles within the tactical corridor, the crew will climb
to attain an altitude of 500 feet above the obstacle or avoid the obstacle laterally by 2
NM. If the altitude for the next segment is higher than the current segment altitude,
complete the climb prior to the segmentation point. If the altitude for the next segment is
lower than the current segment, do not initiate descent until over the segmentation point.
Once the controlling obstacle or terrain feature is visually identified and the aircraft is
confirmed well clear, the crew may descend to the next segmented altitude. NVG
modified contour will not be flown. WARNING: If either the pilots‘ NVGs, SCNS,
pressure altimeter, or radar altimeter fail, climb to MSA until resolving the problem. In
addition, climb to MSA to resolve any TO 1C-130xx-1 Section III procedures,
commensurate with the tactical situation.
16.4.1.4.1. Minimum altitude capable training will not descend below NVG enroute
altitude for the leg/segment being flown. NOTE: Planning a route on a smaller scale
chart, if available, significantly reduces NVG enroute altitudes. If the route has been
planned on a smaller scale chart and night altitudes are verified, crews may fly the
route at the lower altitudes referencing a TPC.