AFI 11-246v1_Aerial - Check six

18 AFI11-246V1 22 NOVEMBER 2002
Chapter 2
DEMONSTRATION TEAM PERSONNEL SELECTION AND TRAINING
2.1. General. MAJCOMs will provide team description and location via supplement. A standard team
includes two aircraft, one demonstration pilot, a minimum of two narrators, and necessary support personnel.
Team will deploy with a ground safety observer. Ground safety observers will not simultaneously perform
narration duties. Team selection should consider factors affecting assignment stability such as
vulnerability for schools or overseas assignment.
2.2. Demonstration Pilot Selection. New demonstration pilots will normally be selected by Wing Commanders
in August and enter training no later than September prior to the new pilot’s first air show season.
Demonstration pilot duty is normally a two-year assignment.
2.3. Narrator/Ground Safety Observer Selection.
2.3.1. Narrator. The normal narrator tour of duty is one year. NCOs may perform narration duties.
2.3.2. Ground safety observers must be rated officers current and qualified in the MDS. Ground
safety observers will not have specified tours of duty. Teams may have multiple ground safety observers,
however the total number should be limited to a minimum (3 max recommended) to ensure sufficient
currency for each one. Squadron operations officers or higher do not require prior approval to
perform ground safety observer duties.
2.4. Support Personnel Selection. As new enlisted personnel are assigned to the demonstration teams, it
is definitely appropriate to request assignment deferments. However, since AFPC’s support/approval of
the deferments is directly linked to overseas assignment vulnerability, it is strongly recommended that
prospective local candidates be verified by the MAJCOM Airman Assignments Branch before they are
firmly hired. A cursory check with AFPC can prevent the WG/CC from hiring people for the team who
are extremely vulnerable for PCS.
2.5. Training. Training will be accomplished according to the guidelines of this instruction and as supplemented.
2.5.1. The Wing commander may alter the training sequence and individual sorties, as necessary, to
ensure proficiency and progress. Additional training sorties (TS) may be added as required.
2.5.2. Maneuvers and maneuver sequences will be performed as described in this AFI. New demonstration
pilots will demonstrate proficiency in the high and low show profiles.
2.5.3. New demonstration pilots will receive flight training from a currently qualified demonstration
pilot. Each new demonstration pilot will receive extensive ground training from his or her predecessor
or a currently qualified demonstration pilot.
2.5.4. New demonstration pilots will receive training in aircraft flight control limitations and performance
characteristics affecting the demonstration profile. New demonstration pilots will receive training
on common conditions leading to aborts for each maneuver. F-16 demonstration pilots will receive
training on the flight control system, FLCS limiters and their effect on level flight, and sustaining
inverted level flight at