Flight Operations Brief

Amphibious Flight Personnel

Amphibious ships with embarked aircraft have extra requirements for flight quarters and have their own Air Department (LPD/LHA/LHD) Air Boss, Mini Boss, Air BOS'N, air rates Combat Cargo Officer AATAC (Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center Debark Control

HIFR

Helo In-Flight Refueling Conducted when flight deck is fouled due to VERTREP or during rough seas

HRS

Horizon Reference System Provides pilot with aritificial horizon and visual cues during night ops

Flight Deck Floodlights

Illuminate flight deck

Communications

Imperative to notify other ships operating in your vicinity Operate IAW the Rules of the Road Signal flags are used to indicate the status of a flight operation -Hotel used for helicopter operations -Foxtrot used for fixed wing aircraft Circuits for comms with aircraft -Land/Launch (L/L) -Bridge to Bridge

Flight Deck Status Lights

Indicates Red, Amber, or Green Deck

LSE

Landing Signalman Enlisted Visually signals to the pilot during take-off, landing, and approach Wears yellow jacket and cranial

NVG Operations

Night Vision Goggle Operations Pilots and LSEs utilize NVGs Navigation lights are dimmed, stern light is blue (not IAW COLREGS) Word passed over 1MC to "show no white lights topside" Any bright lights can temporarily blind a NVG user

Waveoff Lights

On either side of the SGSI, when flashing the pilot must abort the landing

NAVSEA Polar Plots for DDGs

Provides helicopter launch, recovery, and movement on deck operator guidance to safely operate in challenging weather, avoid damage, and prevent mishaps Developed for H-60 helicopter operations to reduce likelihood of flight deck wetness hazards during launch, recovery, movements, and during any flight deck evolutions Polar plots address two risk areas: engaged rotor-water impact and 2-foot depth of water on deck presenting personnel hazard

RAST

Recovery, Assist, Securing, and Traversing System Used aboard CGs and DDGs (FLT IIA) to assist in landing helicopters, especially during high sea states Uses a high-tension cable to winch down a helo to the deck and large claws to secure the helicopter for traversing into the hanger

Vertical Dropline Lights

Red light fixtures that provide aft extension for white line-up lights

Flight Deck Status

Red: ship can move freely, air ops not permitted Amber: Helo is being traversed or repositioned on flight deck/engaging or disengaging rotors Green: ship must maintain course and speed, take off and landing permitted

Chock and Chain Personnel

Reports to LSE, secures helo to deck after landing, wears blue jacket and cranial

Fueling Team

Responsible for all fueling operations and maintaining fueling rigs used for helo operations, wears purple jacket and cranial

Flight Deck Safety Officer/LSO

Responsible for general safety of all flight deck operations, wears white jacket and cranial

Crash and Salvage Team

Responsible for rescuing personnel and fighting fires on flight deck, wears Red jacket and cranial

TAO/CICWO

Responsible to OOD for helo airborne control, except during launch and landing

Wind Envelope

Specifics to each class of ship and type of helicopter Indicates required wind directions and speeds for day and night flight operations Lists the maximum allowable pitch and roll for the ship class Wind speed given in relative Wind speed and direction: measured with anemometer (wind bird)

SGSI

Stabilized Glide Scope Indicator Color of light indicates to pilot if they are above (green), below (red), or on (amber) the proper glide slope

TACAN

Tactical Air Navigation Radio nav system providing pilots with distance and bearing to ship; located on main mast

Best Practices

There is still danger at "red deck" for personnel and equipment on the flight deck Rules of thumb mitigate risk: "rule of 30," maneuver with Helo on deck less < 15 kts speed, torpedo evasion limited to 20 degrees of rudder CO judgement is key

Helicopter Control

Combat will make initial contact with inbound helicopter and maintain control of aircraft while flight quarters is getting manned and ready Once Helo Control Officer (HCO) reports manned and ready, they will request from Combat to make contact with the aircraft and take control

ASTAC/AATCC

Controls and directs aircraft during tactical operation

TYCOM Direction for DDGs

Download and use NAVSEA Polar Plots in conjunction with NATOPS with envelope charts Adhere to guidance during conduct of helicopter launch, recovery and movement on the flight deck Download, binder, and collocate Polar Plots with Flight Operations Publications at: Helicopter Control stations, Landing Signal Officer stations, Bridge OPERATE ONLY IN THE POLAR PLOT TOOL SAFE AREAS WHEN FLIGHT DECK NETS ARE DOWN Polar plots DO NOT account for maneuvering induced heel, speed changes, wave shape changes due to interaction with the hull, wave run up on the hull, and spray Ships operating within polar plot WILL NOT prevent wave incursions in turns

OOD Responsibilities

Ensure ship's Flight Operations Checklist is accurate and complete Ensure crash, rescue, and firefighting preparations are complete Ensure navigation and visual landing aids are operational and properly displayed Maintain communications between bridge and all stations involved in flight operations to include: CIC, HCS, and the flight deck Maintain proper winds and seas for helicopter operations

Homing Beacon

Flashing white light on main mast to provide visual aid for pilot

HCO

Helo Control Officer On ships without an Air department, supervises all flight operations, located in the Helicopter Control Station (HCS); controls helo during launch and landing