B1104 FLIGHT 1.0 hours simulator

VFR Military Pattern and Communications

OBJECTIVE

Enable trainees to proficiently perform Visual Flight Rules (VFR) military traffic patterns in a virtual simulator, emphasizing overhead approaches, high-speed maneuvers, and precise communications for safe operations.

CONTENT

Military Pattern Structure

  • • Overhead pattern: Initial straight-in at 1,500-2,000 ft AGL and 300 knots, followed by 180° break turn to downwind at 1,000-1,500 ft AGL.
  • • Legs: Downwind (abeam perch point), perch (begin descent turn), final (roller or full-stop).

MILITARY OVERHEAD PATTERN

Initial (300 kts) → Break → Downwind → Perch → Final

PATTERN PARAMETERS

Initial Altitude: 1,500-2,000 ft AGL
Initial Speed: 300 KIAS
Pattern Altitude: 1,000-1,500 ft AGL
Break: 180° level turn

Communications Protocols

  • • Tower contact: Report "Initial."
  • • Intra-flight: Brevity for formation (e.g., "Break," "Perch"); position calls like "Downwind" or "Final gear down."

EXAMPLE INITIAL CALL

"Eagle 1, initial."

Maneuver Execution

  • • Break turn: G-loaded to establish spacing; reduce power on downwind, configure gear/flaps.
  • • Touch-and-go/full-stop: Power management for climbout; practice 3-5 circuits.

Error Handling and Safety

  • • Go-arounds for misalignment; collision avoidance with see-and-avoid.
  • • Wave-off procedures when directed by tower or flight lead.

SORTIE TASKS

No controller required — but flying to a towered military or joint-use field is strongly encouraged. No instructor required. Fly on VATSIM IAW VATSIM regulations.

Pre-Sortie

  1. 1Select a practice airport — a military or joint-use towered field is encouraged but not required
  2. 2File a VFR flight plan on VATSIM and connect; note active runway and tower frequency
  3. 3If ATC is online, obtain ATIS and contact Ground/Tower; if not, depart via CTAF self-announce

Sortie

  1. 4Transit to practice airport; contact tower or self-announce; report "Initial" at 1,500–2,000 ft AGL / 300 KIAS
  2. 5Execute 180° break turn; reduce power on downwind; configure gear/flaps
  3. 6Turn perch, descend to final, and announce "Gear down, Final" to tower or on CTAF
  4. 7Fly at least 5 touch-and-go circuits; use correct intra-flight and tower/CTAF comms on every lap
  5. 8Full-stop landing on the final circuit; taxi clear with correct after-landing comms

Post-Sortie

  1. 9Return to home field if departing from a different airport; land full-stop
  2. 10Log the sortie in the vTAC flight log system

Approved Callsigns

KENT — if flying patterns at KSPS only
EURO · ENJEP · RAMA — if transiting to another airport not listed
JAVET — if practice airport is KTIK (Tinker)
ARCAS — if practice airport is KDYS (Dyess)
BURNY — if practice airport is KLBB (Lubbock)
FIDO — if practice airport is KAFW / NAS Fort Worth

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will independently fly military VFR patterns in the simulator. Trainees must:

  • • Complete at least five patterns with correct communications
  • • Maintain tolerances (±500 ft altitude, ±20 knots airspeed during break)
  • • Handle one wave-off correctly

Completion: Demonstrate proficiency with instructor sign-off

Previous: B1103 Next: B1105