AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012 219
higher altitude is required by DOD FLIP AP/1B, Area Planning North and South
America.
16.4.1.7. Emergency Safe Altitude (ESA). ESA is designed to provide positive IMC
terrain clearance during emergency situations that require leaving the low level structure.
Several ESAs may be computed for route segments transiting significant terrain
differentials or a single ESA may be computed for the entire low level route. To compute
ESA, add 1,000 feet (2,000 feet in mountainous terrain) to the elevation of the highest
obstruction to flight within 22 NMs of planned route centerline. An ESA will be
computed for the route and conspicuously annotated on the chart. NOTE: Climbing to
ESA may put the aircraft or formation in a controlled (i.e., IFR) altitude structure
requiring coordination with Air Traffic Control agencies. NOTE: Pressure altimeters
are calibrated to indicate true altitudes under International Standard Atmospheric (ISA)
conditions. Any deviation from these standard conditions will result in erroneous
readings on the altimeter. This error becomes important when considering obstacle
clearances in temperatures lower than standard since the aircraft‘s altitude is below the
figure indicated by the altimeter. Refer to the flight information handbook to determine
correction.
16.4.1.8. When routes are flown at temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius or less, apply cold
weather temperature corrections to Night VMC Enroute, NVG Enroute, Minimum Safe,
and Emergency Safe Altitudes IAW FIH Section D procedures.
16.4.2. Airdrops will not be conducted below the following altitudes: WARNING: DZ
surveys do not assure terrain and obstruction clearance. Planners and aircrews are responsible
for ensuring clearance through mission planning/chart preparation. NOTE: In combat or
contingency operations the supported unit commander may direct drops below the AFI 11-
231, Computed Air Release Point Procedures, altitudes.
16.4.2.1. Day VMC Drop Altitude. Fly minimum day VMC airdrop altitudes as specified
in AFI 11-231, visually avoiding high terrain and obstacles in the vicinity of the drop
zone.
16.4.2.2. Night VMC Drop Altitude. If not on NVGs, fly minimum night VMC run-in
altitudes through slowdown, at 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 contour interval above the highest depicted terrain contour, whichever is higher,
within 3 NM of run-in centerline. If on NVGs, fly NVG enroute altitudes through
slowdown. In both instances (with/without NVGs), after slowdown, when the drop zone
is in sight and will remain in sight, or when a positive position is identified and adequate
terrain clearance is assured, the aircraft may descend from run-in altitude to drop altitude
specified in AFI 11-231, AMT, SPINS, or mission planning sheet.
16.4.2.3. IMC Drop Altitude. Fly minimum IMC drop altitudes at 500 feet above the
highest obstruction to flight (man-made obstruction, terrain feature, or spot elevation), or
400 feet plus one contour interval above the highest depicted terrain contour, whichever
is highest, within 3 nautical miles either side of the run-in centerline from DZ entry point
to DZ exit point or as specified in AFI 11-231, whichever is higher.