MART Vol. II MO/MP - NESA - Civil Air Patrol

the pilot to the Flight Release Officer. The release officer will inform the crew ofany changes and release the flight.Now is the time for final preparations for the flight. The mission commander(usually the observer) will have you check your equipment and supplies (e.g.,headset, charts, maps, plotter, log, checklists, camera, fluids and snacks) andreview flight line rules and the taxi plan. The final visit to the restroom is made.The pilot presents the CAPF 104 to the flight line supervisor for final release,and then begins the aircraft preflight. The pilot may receive instructions on thetaxi plan at this time. [Note: preflight, loading and departure were covered in 10.1.]When more than one flight is accomplished by the same crew during the day,subsequent briefings are not required to be so detailed but must, at a minimum,highlight differences and changes from the original briefing.If this is the first sortie of the day the observer will perform an FM radio checkwith mission base; you may also perform a DF functional check if this is an ELTsearch. Other special equipment (e.g., camera, video camera or SDIS) shouldalso be tested before the first sortie.Enter sortie settings into the GPS (e.g., destination or flight plan, entry pointsand waypoints). Turning off all radios and navigation equipment separately beforeturning on the Avionics Master switch reduces the load on the battery sufficientlyfor you to program your settings into the GPS.Startup and taxi were covered in 10.1. If there are flight line marshallers, theywill expect you to turn on your rotating beacon and signal the impending enginestart. You are also expected to signal before beginning to taxi (e.g., turn on yourPulselite or flash your taxi/landing light).Takeoff, climb and departure were covered in 10.1.10.8 During the SortieOnce clear of the airport/controlled airspace environs the crew settles into thetransit phase. Depending on circumstances (e.g., the airspace is still congestedor multiple obstacles are present) the sterile cockpit rules are normally suspendedat this time. The aircrew maintains situational awareness at all times during theflight.Take this time to double-check the navigational settings that will be used inthe search area, and review search area terrain and obstacles. Also reviewmethods to reduce crew fatigue during the search or to combat high altitudeeffects.Update in-flight weather and file PIREPs. Periodically check navigationalequipment against each other to detect abnormalities or failures.As you approach the search area, review search assignments and doublecheckradio, audio panel and navigational settings. Check navigational equipmentagainst each other (detect abnormalities or failures).The pilot should stabilize the aircraft at the assigned search heading, altitudeand airspeed at least two miles before you enter the search area, and turnsufficient aircraft exterior lights on to maximize visibility (so others can "see andavoid"). Sterile cockpit rules are now in effect.197