AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012 233
18.7.3. Inadvertent weather penetration procedures will be briefed to the formation. At a
minimum, formation lead will direct the formation to a safe altitude, heading, airspeed, and
aircraft spacing. Refer to AFTTP 3-3.C-130E/H for inadvertent weather penetration
procedures.
18.8. Visual Geometries.
18.8.1. Basic visual spacing should be 2000-6000 feet between aircraft in an element and
8000 feet between element leads. SKE must be operational for night, unaided visual
formations or the formation is restricted to 2000 feet in-trail. The optimal formation
composition and geometry will depend on mission requirement, theater restrictions, terrain,
and the tactical situation.
18.8.1.1. Flight leads will brief visual formation contracts.
18.8.2. For visual geometries, refer to AFTTP 3-3.C-130E/H.
18.8.3. Night Geometries. Crews may fly visual in trail, fluid trail, and tactical formation
maneuvering (TFM) during night NVG formation tactical missions. To fly night TFM, see
paragraph 18.10.2.
18.8.4. NVG Threat Reactions for Training. NVGs are required for night threat reactions.
Crews must exercise vigilance to ensure the aircraft remains within the NVG en-route
altitude corridor or climb to MSA while conducting threat reactions. NOTE: Any
crewmember will call ―Terminate‖ if they observe the aircraft being flown outside the above
parameters.
18.9. Visual Rejoins.
18.9.1. Rejoining aircraft will maintain 500 feet above or below the formation until the
formation is in sight and clearance to rejoin is granted.
18.9.2. Rejoining aircraft must be in position at formation altitude by ―green light‖ to
accomplish the drop.
18.10. Tactical Formation Maneuver Restrictions.
18.10.1. Day VMC: No restriction.
18.10.2. Night VMC:
18.10.2.1. NVGs will be used.
18.10.2.2. Formation contracts and verbal signals will be pre-briefed.
18.10.2.3. SKE should be operational.
18.10.2.4. Due to aircraft limitations, consider using line abreast NVG formation only
when required by the tactical situation.
18.10.2.5. Shackles, cross turns, and half cross turns should be limited to times when
necessary for formation maneuvering. Verbal signals must be used. Normally, shackle,
cross turn, and half cross turn training should be conducted during day VMC.
WARNING: When flying at night, rapid changes in airspeed, altitude, bank angles, ―G‖
loads and aircraft position necessitated by the performance of these maneuvers increase
the potential for spatial disorientation.