Lesson 2

2−1−13. FORMATION FLIGHTS 

Control formation flights as a single aircraft. Separation responsibility between aircraft within the formation rests with the flight leader and the pilots of the other aircraft in the flight. This includes transition periods when aircraft within the formation are maneuvering to attain separation from each other to effect individual control during join−up and breakaway.

a. Support formation flight join−up for two aircraft when all of the following occur: 

1. Requested by any participating pilot. 

2. All participating pilots concur. 

3. Either of the participating pilots reports the other/s in sight.

Refer to formation flights by using the lead aircraft's callsign followed by the word 'flight.'      "BLADE5 flight"  "N123AB flight"

Unrestricted climbs

High performance jet aircraft may request an unrestricted departure. This means the aircraft will depart on runway heading until reaching a certain speed and execute an almost vertical climb to their destined altitude. This must be coordinated with the appropriate overlying radar controller. Unrestricted climb instructions are issued with the takeoff clearance.

EXAMPLE - "Cowboy 11, Altus Tower,  runway 18,  wind 220 at 5, cleared for takeoff, unrestricted climb to 17,000 approved, change to departure"

High Key Departures

High key departures are a procedure used to get to a higher altitude in a short time while remaining within close proximity (within the traffic pattern footprint). It is also used to test engines without getting to far from the field. This type of departure is rare and is mainly used by fighter jet and training aircraft. Due to the higher altitudes achieved during this maneuver, often above tower's controlled airspace, coordination with the departure controller is necessary. This is not required if the aircraft's initial/final assigned altitude remains within the tower's airspace.

"Altus Tower, Cowboy 11, holding short runway 18, request high key departure"

The following information shall be given:

• Approval for the high key departure

• Direction of traffic [make____closed traffic]

• Reporting point (If required)

"Hornet23, Altus Tower, runway 18, wind 170 at 5, cleared for takeoff, high key departure approved, make left closed traffic. Report low key"

When an aircraft is executing a high key procedure, they shall not be given instruction to change frequencies to departure regardless of type and shall remain on tower's frequency within tower's airspace until past the end of the runway. Then a standard “contact departure” is appropriate

"Cowboy 11 contact departure"

Arrival Procedures

All overhead break maneuvers (sometimes referred to as the running break) are entirely visual approaches and require VMC weather conditions with the field in sight. Many high performance military aircraft will request overhead breaks versus a visual or instrument approach as overhead breaks are faster to complete.

An aircraft should be sent to “the initial” which is a point 4 to 5 nm from the runway. If an inbound aircraft is talking to the overlying approach controller, the controller will call you and coordinate as appropriate.

3−10−12. OVERHEAD MANEUVER 

Issue the following to arriving aircraft that will conduct an overhead maneuver: 

a. Pattern altitude and direction of traffic. Omit either or both if standard or when you know the pilot is familiar with a nonstandard procedure. 

PHRASEOLOGY− PATTERN ALTITUDE (altitude). RIGHT TURNS. 

b. Request for report on initial approach. 

PHRASEOLOGY− REPORT INITIAL.

c. “Break” information and request for pilot report. Specify the point of “break” only if nonstandard. Request the pilot to report “break” if required for traffic or other reasons.

PHRASEOLOGY− BREAK AT (specified point). REPORT BREAK. 

EXAMPLE - "Sheppard tower, BLADE5 is 8 miles northwest, request the overhead break with Alfa"

"BLADE5, Sheppard tower, pattern altitude 2,000, right turns, report initial runway 15R"

"Report initial, BLADE5" ...... "BLADE5 is initial"

"BLADE5 break at the numbers, report break"

"Break at the numbers, call the break BLADE5" ...... "BLADE5 in the break"

"BLADE5 runway 15R, wind 160 at 5, cleared to land"

"15R cleared to land, BLADE5"

3−10−13. SIMULATED FLAMEOUT (SFO) APPROACHES/EMERGENCY LANDING PATTERN (ELP) OPERATIONS/PRACTICE PRECAUTIONARY APPROACHES 

b. For overhead SFO/ELP approaches: 

1. Request a report at the entry point. 

PHRASEOLOGY− REPORT (high or low) KEY (as appropriate). 

2. Request a report at low key. 

PHRASEOLOGY− REPORT LOW KEY. 

3. At low key, issue low approach clearance or alternate instructions. 

c. For straight−in simulation flameout approaches: 

1. Request a position report from aircraft conducting straight−in SFO approaches. 

PHRASEOLOGY− REPORT (distance) MILE SIMULATED FLAMEOUT FINAL. 

2. At the appropriate position on final (normally no closer than 3 miles), issue low approach clearance or alternate instruction.